Pet Transport from Germany to Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide
If you are relocating a pet from Germany to Australia, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. This route sits at the strict end, and about 40-48 weeks of preparation is realistic. Plan …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Germany to Australia
typically takes around 40-48 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Germany to Australia import process
01
First action, before any vaccinations. Cannot be backdated to earlier vaccinations.
Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip (if not already in place)
Responsible: Your vet in Germany
02
After microchip. Primary course must be complete before titre test blood draw. Allow at least 21 days from first vaccination before scheduling blood draw.
Complete rabies vaccination course and keep boosters current
Responsible: Your vet in Germany
03
Blood drawn at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination. Allow 2-4 weeks for laboratory result to be returned.
Rabies titre test (RNATT) blood draw at DAFF-approved laboratory
Responsible: Your vet plus DAFF-approved laboratory
04
Apply as soon as titre test result confirms 0.5 IU/ml or above. Allow 4-8 weeks for DAFF to process.
Apply for DAFF import permit via BICON portal
Responsible: Owner or specialist pet transport agent
05
Begins on the date of the successful titre test blood draw. Travel cannot be scheduled before this period expires.
180-day post-titre mandatory waiting period
Responsible: Owner (no action required during this period)
06
Within the specific timeframes set by the DAFF import permit. Must be scheduled with your vet in advance.
Additional tests and treatments for dogs (Brucella canis, Ehrlichia canis, parasite treatments)
Responsible: Your vet in Germany
07
Within the validity window DAFF specifies, close to travel date. Confirm exact window on your permit.
German official vet issues DAFF-format health certificate; countersigned by state vet authority or BMEL
Responsible: German official vet plus state veterinary authority or BMEL
08
Travel day. Melbourne is the only permitted entry airport.
Travel as manifested cargo to Melbourne (MEL); 10-day quarantine on arrival at Mickleham
Responsible: Owner plus airline cargo desk plus DAFF quarantine
Requirements
Australia entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip required. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination for the vaccination record to be valid. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs.
Rabies vaccination
Full primary course required. Minimum age 12 weeks. All vaccinations must be complete before the titre test blood draw. Boosters must remain current throughout the entire preparation period.
Rabies titre test
Required (RNATT). Blood drawn at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination. Must be tested at a DAFF-approved laboratory; minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. A mandatory 180-day post-titre waiting period follows a successful result before travel is permitted. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs.
Quarantine
Mandatory 10-day quarantine at Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility, Melbourne, Victoria. No exceptions. Owner-paid; approximately AUD 1,877 for a 10-day stay (verify current DAFF rate before travel). Pets may only enter Australia via Melbourne International Airport (MEL).
Import permit
Required from DAFF via the BICON portal. Must be obtained before booking travel. The permit specifies conditions including required tests and treatments and the approved travel pathway.
Health certificate
DAFF-specific health certificate in the exact country-of-export format for Germany. Issued by a German official vet and countersigned by the relevant state veterinary authority or BMEL. Format is non-negotiable; use only the form published by DAFF for Germany.
Leaving Germany
Export requirements
Export permit
No separate German export permit required for pets. The government-endorsed AHC covers the departure from Germany.
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) in DAFF-prescribed country-specific format, issued by a German official vet and countersigned by the relevant state veterinary authority (Landesveterinäramt) or BMEL. Must be issued within the validity window DAFF specifies. EU pet passports are not accepted by Australia. Source: BMEL, bmel.de.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Microchip implant (if not yet done): approx. EUR 50-80 at a German vet
Rabies vaccination course and boosters throughout preparation: approx. EUR 80-200 depending on clinic
Titre test (RNATT) at DAFF-approved laboratory: approx. EUR 150-300 including vet blood draw and lab fee
DAFF import permit application via BICON portal: AUD 200-500 depending on permit type
DAFF-format health certificate plus German state vet endorsement: approx. EUR 150-400
Airline cargo fees (Frankfurt or Munich to Melbourne via hub): approx. AUD 2,500-6,000 depending on pet size, crate dimensions, and routing
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 100-400 depending on size
Mickleham quarantine facility fee: approx. AUD 1,877 for 10-day stay (verify current DAFF rate)
Specialist pet transport agent fee: AUD 800-2,000 if used (strongly recommended on this route)
Critical points
The 180-day post-titre waiting period is the fixed point in your timeline and cannot be shortened under any circumstances. Everything else must be planned around it.
All pets from Germany must enter Australia via Melbourne International Airport (MEL) only. No other Australian gateway is authorised for this route.
The DAFF health certificate for Germany is country-specific and non-negotiable in format. A standard EU health certificate or German EU pet passport will not be accepted on arrival.
Dogs require additional tests including Brucella canis and Ehrlichia canis, plus scheduled parasite treatments, within windows set by the DAFF import permit. Missing a treatment window invalidates the permit.
Germany has state-level breed restrictions (Landeshundegesetze) on certain dogs. Confirm your breed is exportable with BMEL before starting the process.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Lufthansa Cargo
Primary carrier from Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) for the Germany-Australia route. Pets travel as manifested cargo in a pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. No direct Germany-Australia flight exists; connection required via Singapore (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG), or Dubai (DXB). Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round.
Cargo Only
Emirates SkyCargo
Cargo from Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) via Dubai (DXB) to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. All pets as manifested cargo. Temperature restrictions on the DXB leg during Gulf summer months (June to September). Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional conditions and seasonal restrictions.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines Cargo
Cargo routing from Frankfurt (FRA) via Singapore (SIN) to Australian gateways. Pets travel as manifested cargo. Seasonal restrictions apply; confirm breed and crate eligibility before booking.
Cargo Only
Qantas Freight
Accepts pets as manifested cargo to Australian gateway airports. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Works with connecting European carriers; confirm routing and booking requirements with Qantas Freight directly.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific Cargo
Routing via Hong Kong (HKG) to Australian destinations. AFCD transit rules apply at HKG. Seasonal temperature restrictions; advance booking and documentation review required.
Cargo Only
How Australia handles incoming pets
Australia takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.
What experienced owners do
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
At minimum, nine to ten months from starting preparations to arrival. The 180-day post-titre waiting period is the dominant constraint and cannot be shortened. Add time for vaccinations, DAFF permit processing, health certificate preparation, and cargo booking. Starting earlier than necessary is always safer than cutting it fine.
Yes, quarantine is mandatory. Your dog or cat will spend ten days at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Melbourne, Victoria. The cost is owner-paid (approximately AUD 1,877 at current DAFF rates). Quarantine cannot be reduced or waived under any circumstances.
Yes. Germany is a DAFF Group 3 country and the titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s most recent rabies vaccination and tested at a DAFF-approved laboratory. The result must reach 0.5 IU/ml or above. A mandatory 180-day waiting period then begins from the date of the blood draw, not from when the result arrives.
No. The EU pet passport covers intra-EU movements and a limited number of bilateral non-EU agreements. Australia is not among them. You need a separate Animal Health Certificate in DAFF’s exact prescribed format for Germany, countersigned by a German state veterinary authority or BMEL. Presenting a pet passport at Melbourne will result in rejection.
Melbourne International Airport (MEL) is the only authorised entry point for pets arriving from Germany. After landing, pets are transferred directly to the Mickleham quarantine facility nearby for their mandatory 10-day stay. No other Australian airport is approved for this category of import.
Airline guides
Lufthansa Cargo
Emirates SkyCargo
Singapore Airlines Cargo
Qantas Freight
Cathay Pacific Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.