Pet Transport from India to Australia: A Realistic Guide

If you are relocating from India to Australia with a dog or cat, you are looking at one of the more complex international pet moves in the world. Australia’s biosecurity rules are among the strictest anywhere, and India is classified as a high-risk country – which means there is no direct pathway.

Why There Is No Direct Route

Australia’s DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) categorises source countries by rabies status and veterinary system standards. India is not on the approved third-country list, so pets cannot fly directly. They must first travel to an approved intermediary country.

Approved Third Countries for Onward Travel to Australia

The main options from India are:

  • United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland)
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong

Each has specific residency requirements before the Australian leg. For the UK pathway, pets must typically reside in the UK for a period and meet UK health standards before being processed for Australian export.

The Full Process (India via UK to Australia)

  1. Microchip your pet in India (ISO standard)
  2. Rabies primary vaccination in India
  3. Rabies titre test (FAVN test at an OIE-accredited lab, at least 3 months before Australian entry)
  4. Relocate to UK (meeting all UK import requirements including AHC)
  5. Reside in UK for the required period
  6. Book Australian import permit via DAFF (allow weeks for processing)
  7. Pre-export health checks by a UK Official Vet
  8. Fly to Melbourne (Tullamarine) – the only Australian airport with approved quarantine facilities
  9. 10 days quarantine at Mickleham, Victoria
  10. Collection and delivery to your Australian address

Cost Expectations

Relocating a dog from India to Australia via the UK can cost between AUD 8,000 and AUD 18,000 depending on the size of the animal, the time spent in the intermediary country, quarantine fees, and agent fees. This is not a cheap move – budget carefully.

Using a Specialist Agent

Given the complexity, we strongly recommend using an IPATA-accredited pet relocation specialist for this route. They manage the paperwork chain, vet appointments, and logistics across multiple countries. One documentation error can push back the timeline by months.

This guide reflects DAFF requirements as of May 2026. Always verify the latest information at agriculture.gov.au/pets before booking anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. India is not on Australia’s approved country list for direct pet imports. Dogs and cats must travel via an approved third country – typically the UK, Singapore, or Hong Kong – and meet all health requirements for that country before the Australian leg of the journey.

All pets entering Australia serve 10 days in mandatory quarantine at the DAFF-approved facility in Mickleham, Victoria. However, additional time is needed in the approved third country before Australia-bound travel. The total process from India typically takes 6 to 12 months of planning and preparation.

The most common pathway is India to the UK or Singapore, where the pet resides and acclimates for the required period, then flies to Australia. Each stage has its own health certificate and vaccination requirements. A specialist pet relocation agent is strongly recommended for this route.

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