Lead time needed
26-32 weeks
Quarantine
Required
Route complexity
Very High
Airlines
10 carriers on this route
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Home/Routes/Japan to Australia
JP
AU

Pet Transport from Japan to Australia

Bringing your dog or cat from Japan to Australia takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Give yourself close to 26-32 weeks, as several stages run on fixed clocks that no agent can shorten. This destination applies quarantine on …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Japan to Australia typically takes around 26-32 weeks. Quarantine is required on arrival, so check the requirements below. A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Japan to Australia import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
First step: must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

2
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

3
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Australia

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

4
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

5
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

6
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

7
Immediately on arrival: mandatory
Quarantine on arrival (varies days)

Responsible: Australia quarantine authority

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Australia

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as rabies …
Rabies vaccination
Minimum age: 12 weeks. Vaccination schedule must be completed before titre test …
Rabies titre test
Required for: Groups 3, 4, 5, 6 (all except Groups 1 and 2). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml
Quarantine
Mandatory quarantine. Facility: Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility. …
Import permit
Required. Must be obtained BEFORE travel. Permit specifies conditions for …
Health certificate
Required. Government-issued veterinary health certificate (country-specific …
Export permit
No formal export permit required. Destination import documentation serves as …
Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and …
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Import permit application fee (Australia)
Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Japan Airlines (JAL)
Cargo: Pets transported as checked baggage in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Qantas
Cargo: QantasFreighter network for pet transport. Brachycephalic breeds restricted …
Cargo Only
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa …
Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to …
Cargo Only
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. …
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for …
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM …
Cabin and Cargo
Korean Air
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air …
Cabin and Cargo

What Australia requires

Entry to Australia is tightly controlled, and officials verify each requirement in turn. Treat it as a sequence where every step gates the next.

Avoiding the common mistakes

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
Yes, quarantine is mandatory in Australia. Your pet will stay at the designated quarantine facility on arrival. Confirm the facility, duration, and current charges with the destination authority before travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Australia. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from the Australia veterinary authority. Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Japan. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Australia’s authority for the exact format required.
Airline guides
  • Japan Airlines (JAL)
  • Qantas
  • Emirates
  • Lufthansa
  • Singapore Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Air France
  • KLM
  • Korean Air
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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JP AUJapan to Australia
International pet transport route
Lead time26-32 weeks
QuarantineRequired
ComplexityVery High
Airlines10
ServiceDoor to door
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