Shipping a dog or cat from Canada to Australia rewards owners who start planning early. Expect a long lead time of roughly 32-40 weeks; the waiting periods here cannot be rushed. Your pet will spend 10 days in quarantine after landing.
The …
Airline cargo to Australia via connection: CAD 1,500-3,500 depending on route and size
Total typical range: AUD 5,500 to AUD 12,000 (CAD 5,000 to CAD 11,000)
Critical points to read before you book
Australia classifies Canada as Group 4, not Group 3 (as it does for the UK and some other countries). Group 4 means the full 180-day wait from titre test blood draw. Double-check the current DAFF classification for Canada on their BICON system before starting.
No direct flights from Canada to Australia. All routes involve at least one connection. The total journey time is 18-30 hours depending on the connection city. For pets, this is a significant physical undertaking.
Mickleham quarantine does not operate on weekends or public holidays. Your pet's arrival must be timed to arrive before a weekend so quarantine can start on a weekday.
Summer arrivals (December-February in Australia) coincide with peak heat at Mickleham. DAFF issues heat stress warnings. Plan an autumn or winter arrival in Australia if possible.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AIR CANADA
Air Canada
Vancouver or Toronto to Sydney/Melbourne via connections (often via Los Angeles, Tokyo, or Hong Kong). Air Canada Cargo.
Cargo Only
QANTAS
Qantas
Sydney/Melbourne to Vancouver/Los Angeles (not direct Canada service). Via Los Angeles connection on some routes.
Cargo Only
CATHAY PACIFIC
Cathay Pacific
Vancouver/Toronto to Sydney/Melbourne via Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific Cargo. Often the most reliable connection option.
Cargo Only
JAPAN AIRLINES
Japan Airlines
Vancouver or Toronto via Tokyo to Australian cities. JAL Cargo.
Cargo Only
Australia entry requirements at a glance
Entry to Australia is tightly controlled, and officials verify each requirement in turn. Treat it as a sequence where every step gates the next.
Getting the details right
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
FAQ
Common questions about Canada to Australia pet transport
Australia’s DAFF group classifications are based on each country’s disease risk profile. Canada has rabies present in wildlife, which results in a Group 4 classification requiring the 180-day titre test wait period. The UK is Group 3, which has a different process. You can check the current DAFF classification for Canada on the BICON biosecurity import conditions database at aff.gov.au.
At minimum, 8-10 months from starting preparations. Add time for the import permit application (1 month), two vaccinations (minimum 1-2 months), titre test, 180-day wait, and Mickleham quarantine booking. Build in buffer for any potential titre test failure or processing delays. Most experienced agents recommend starting 10-12 months before your target travel date.
There are no direct Canada to Australia flights. Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, Air Canada via Los Angeles, and Japan Airlines via Tokyo are common routing options with cargo pet services. Cathay Pacific Cargo is a frequently used option for this corridor. Choose a carrier that has a clear live animal cargo policy and confirm the current policy at the time of booking.
A failed titre test resets the clock. Your vet should administer a booster vaccination, wait 30 days, then arrange a new blood draw for retesting. The new 180-day wait starts from the new blood draw date. This adds 7-9 months to your timeline. Some animals have naturally lower titres or respond less robustly to the rabies vaccine; your vet can advise on whether a different vaccine protocol might improve the titre result.
Airline guides
Air Canada
Qantas
Cathay Pacific
Japan Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.