Relocating a pet from India to Australia follows a clear path once you understand what Australia asks for. This is one of the more demanding routes, so allow around 40-60 weeks and treat the timeline …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from India to Australia
typically takes around 40-60 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The India to Australia import process
01
Planning stage. This is the critical first decision.
Accept the stepping-stone route: India direct to Australia is not permitted. Plan for relocation to Singapore first.
Responsible: Owner
02
First medical step. Must be in place before the rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip in India
Responsible: Your veterinarian in India
03
After microchipping. Titre test blood draw cannot happen until 30 days after the final dose.
Rabies vaccination primary course in India
Responsible: Your veterinarian in India
04
At least 30 days after the last rabies vaccination. Use a DAFF-approved laboratory. After a passing result (0.5 IU/ml), a 180-day wait applies before Australia entry.
Titre test blood draw (for Australian entry from Singapore)
Responsible: Your veterinarian plus DAFF-approved laboratory
05
After titre test blood draw. The 180-day wait can run while the pet lives in Singapore. Minimum 6-month residency in Singapore before Australian entry is possible.
Relocate pet to Singapore (with AQCS NOC and India export health certificate)
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
06
On arrival in Singapore: register with AVS, meet Singapore import conditions.
Meet Singapore's own import and residency requirements
Responsible: Owner and Singapore AVS
07
Well in advance of the Australia travel date. Allow 6-8 weeks for processing.
Apply for Australian import permit from DAFF
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
08
Within 14 days of travel to Australia. Issued by official vet in Singapore, endorsed by AVS.
Obtain DAFF-format health certificate in Singapore
Responsible: Official veterinarian in Singapore
09
All Australian arrivals must enter via Melbourne International Airport. No other entry points accepted.
Fly to Melbourne (MEL only). Mandatory 10-day PEQ quarantine on arrival.
Responsible: Airline and DAFF Mickleham facility
Requirements
Australia entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Must be completed before titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required for pets from Singapore (DAFF Group 2): blood draw at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. Passing result: 0.5 IU/ml or above. 180-day post-titre wait applies before Australia entry. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au
Quarantine
Mandatory. 10-day quarantine at the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria (Melbourne). All entry into Australia must be through Melbourne International Airport only. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au
Import permit
Required. Apply to DAFF before travel. Must be obtained before booking the Australia-leg flight. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au
Health certificate
DAFF-approved format health certificate, issued by an official vet in Singapore, endorsed by AVS (Animal and Veterinary Service, Singapore). Must be the exact DAFF-approved format for Singapore as the country of export.
Leaving India
Export requirements
Export permit
No-Objection Certificate (NOC) required from AQCS for the India-to-Singapore leg. Apply through the AQCS regional office nearest your departure city. Allow 4-6 weeks. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in
Health certificate
Required for export from India. Health certificate from a registered Indian vet, endorsed by AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services, aqcsindia.gov.in). Two clinical examinations required: first approximately 7 days before travel, second within 2 days of departure. This certificate covers the India-to-Singapore leg. A separate certificate in DAFF-approved format is required for the Singapore-to-Australia leg, issued in Singapore.
Costs
What this route typically costs
India-to-Singapore cargo fees: approximately SGD 400-900 depending on pet size and route
Titre test laboratory fee (India or Singapore): INR 5,000-12,000 or SGD 150-300
DAFF import permit application fee (Australia)
Singapore-to-Australia cargo fees: approximately AUD 800-2,000 depending on pet size
10-day mandatory quarantine at Mickleham PEQ: approximately AUD 2,000-4,000 depending on number and size of pets
IPATA agent fees for a two-leg move: typically AUD 1,500-3,500 total
Critical points
CRITICAL: India is not an approved country for direct import of dogs and cats to Australia. DAFF does not permit direct entry. There is no workaround. A stepping-stone via an approved country is the only legal pathway. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au
Singapore is the most practical and common stepping-stone country from India. The pet must genuinely reside in Singapore for at least 6 months before the Australian entry process completes.
The 180-day post-titre wait applies from Singapore to Australia (Group 2 country). Start the titre test blood draw before or shortly after arriving in Singapore to minimise total timeline.
All pets entering Australia from Singapore must fly into Melbourne International Airport only. No other Australian airports are approved entry points.
Do not book flights to Australia before obtaining the DAFF import permit. The permit specifies conditions that must be met before travel.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Air India
Cargo from Indian cities to Singapore (SIN) for the first leg. Pets travel in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. No cabin pets on international routes. Singapore leg is the transfer point for the Australia journey.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo from Indian airports to Singapore (SIN). Also operates Singapore-Australia routes. Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Both legs can be managed through Singapore Airlines Cargo with an IPATA agent.
Cargo Only
IndiGo
Indian domestic cargo only. Can be used for India-domestic legs to connect with international services at major airports. Does not operate international pet cargo.
Cargo Only
Qantas
Operates Singapore-to-Melbourne routes for the Australia leg. QantasFreighter network handles pet cargo. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. All Australian arrivals into Melbourne (MEL) only.
Cargo Only
Jetstar
Operates Singapore-Australia routes. Check with carrier for live animal cargo acceptance on specific routes. Confirm before booking.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into Australia
Australia runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
How to keep this move on track
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. DAFF does not permit direct import of dogs or cats from India. India is not an approved source country. The only legal pathway is through a stepping-stone approved country such as Singapore, where your pet must genuinely reside for at least 6 months. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs
Singapore is a DAFF Group 2 approved country, has a straightforward pet import process, is geographically close to India (approximately 3.5-4 hour flight), and has a large established Indian community. The stepping-stone process via Singapore is well-understood by IPATA agents operating in both countries.
From initial microchipping in India to release from Australian quarantine, allow 12-18 months as a realistic planning window. The 180-day post-titre wait, the 6-month Singapore residency, the DAFF permit process, and the 10-day quarantine all contribute to the timeline. Starting the titre test blood draw early reduces the total time.
Yes. All live animal imports into Australia must arrive via Melbourne International Airport only. The Mickleham PEQ quarantine facility is located near Melbourne. Pets arriving at any other Australian airport will be refused entry.
Total costs vary widely by pet size and the duration of Singapore residency, but a realistic budget for the full two-leg move including Singapore living costs, two sets of cargo fees, the titre test, DAFF permit, Australian quarantine, and agent fees is AUD 8,000-20,000 or more. Get a detailed quote from an IPATA agent who handles both the India-Singapore and Singapore-Australia legs.
Airline guides
Air India
Singapore Airlines
IndiGo
Qantas
Jetstar
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.