Japan to Australia Pet Transport: DAFF Requirements and the Longest Preparation in the World
Japan to Australia is one of the most demanding pet relocation routes in the world. Australia’s Post-Entry Quarantine (PEQ) requirements and the 6-month titre test stand-down make this a process that takes the better part of a year to complete properly.
That said, it is done regularly by expat families, and with good preparation, your pet will come through safely.
Why Australia is so strict
Australia is rabies-free, has no foot-and-mouth disease, and is free of many other animal diseases that are common elsewhere. Its biosecurity rules reflect decades of investment in keeping it that way. DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) enforces these rules strictly.
Japan’s group classification
Japan is classified as Group 3 for Australian pet imports. This means:
- Quarantine is mandatory (10 days at the Mickleham PEQ facility near Melbourne)
- More extensive pre-export treatments and documentation are required compared to Group 1 or 2 countries
What dogs and cats from Japan need for Australia
- ISO microchip
- Rabies vaccinations (DAFF requires a specific vaccination schedule depending on the animal’s previous vaccination history)
- Rabies titre test from a DAFF-approved laboratory in Japan, showing 0.5 IU/mL or above
- Blood drawn for titre test at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination
- Australia entry must not begin until at least 6 months after the satisfactory titre test date
- BICON import permit from DAFF (applied for online; current cost AUD 420)
- Treatments for internal parasites (Praziquantel, Ivermectin) given within 14 days and 5 days before departure
- Official veterinary health certificate, endorsed by MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) in Japan, completed within 10 days of travel
The 6-month stand-down
The single most important timeline constraint: your pet cannot enter Australia until at least 6 months have passed from the date of the satisfactory titre test. If the first test result is below 0.5 IU/mL, the clock does not start – you re-vaccinate and re-test.
This is why most Japan-to-Australia pet relocations take 9-12 months from first contact with a vet to arrival in Australia.
Quarantine in Melbourne
The Post-Entry Quarantine facility at Mickleham, near Melbourne Airport, is where all Group 3 country pets spend their quarantine. The cost is currently around AUD 2,000-2,500 for 10 days (approximately GBP 1,000-1,250). The facility provides professional care, and daily video check-ins are available for owners.
Dogs must enter Australia via Melbourne Airport for Mickleham quarantine. Some routing adjustments may be needed if your preferred airline does not fly directly to Melbourne.
Source
DAFF (Australia): agriculture.gov.au/pets (verified May 2026). MAFF (Japan): maff.go.jp/aqs/english (verified May 2026).