Pet Transport from Kazakhstan to Australia
Relocating a pet from Kazakhstan to Australia is a two-stage move. Kazakhstan is not on Australia's list of approved countries for pet import, so your pet cannot travel directly from Almaty or Astana to Melbourne. The route works through an approved transit …
The Kazakhstan 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.
Responsible: Your vet in Almaty or Astana
Responsible: KVCS vet and owner
Responsible: Vet in transit country and DAFF-approved laboratory
Responsible: Owner or IPATA-registered agent
Responsible: Owner or IPATA-registered agent
Responsible: Government vet in transit country
Responsible: Cargo airline and DAFF quarantine authority
What your pet needs to enter Australia
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Kazakhstan is not on Australia's approved country list. Pets cannot fly directly from Almaty or Astana to any Australian city. The BICON permit system will not accept a direct Kazakhstan-to-Australia application.
All pets entering Australia must arrive into Melbourne (MEL). No other Australian city accepts international pet imports. Plan domestic travel from Melbourne if your destination is elsewhere.
If travelling via Germany or France, the 180-day waiting period starts from the date of the titre test blood draw, not from when results are received. Calculate this date precisely.
Quarantine spaces at Mickleham must be pre-booked before purchasing the Australia-leg flight. Do not book onward flights until quarantine is confirmed.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Why does a Kazakhstan to Australia move require a transit country?
Australia’s DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) maintains a list of approved countries from which pets can be imported. Kazakhstan is not on this list. The same applies to Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Pets from non-approved countries cannot enter Australia directly, regardless of vaccination history, titre test results, or the quality of documentation.
The reason is biosecurity. Australia’s pet import rules exist to protect the country from infectious diseases not present there. DAFF assesses each country’s disease control environment before granting approved status. Until Kazakhstan achieves that status, the transit pathway is the only legal route.
Check the current list at agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs before finalising any plans. Country classifications are periodically reviewed.
Which transit country should I use and what does each involve?
The transit country decision shapes the entire timeline. You have two practical paths.
The UK (Group 2): there is no 180-day waiting period after the titre test blood draw. Your pet needs to meet UK APHA requirements (microchip before vaccination, titre test at 0.5 IU/ml, UK APHA waiting period), then Australian preparation runs under UK vet authority. Air Astana does not currently fly to the UK, so the first leg typically uses Turkish Airlines via Istanbul to London Heathrow. Total time from Kazakhstan: around 15 to 18 months.
Germany or France (Group 3): a mandatory 180-day wait from the titre test blood draw date applies. This adds six months to the pre-departure period. Air Astana flies directly to Frankfurt, which simplifies the first leg considerably if Germany is your choice. Total time from Kazakhstan: around 21 to 24 months.
One practical note for both paths: the titre test must be carried out at a DAFF-approved laboratory in the transit country. There may be no DAFF-approved laboratory in Kazakhstan itself. If your vet draws the blood in Kazakhstan before departure, confirm with them that the sample can be accepted by an approved laboratory in Europe and that the cold-chain logistics are in place.
How does the DAFF import permit process work?
The DAFF import permit is a separate and mandatory requirement for all pets entering Australia. Apply through the BICON system at bicon.agriculture.gov.au. The application fee is AUD 420 and is non-refundable. DAFF typically takes 20 to 30 working days to process permits.
The permit is issued against the transit country, not Kazakhstan. It specifies the exact conditions your pet must meet before travel, including the titre test requirement, health certificate format, and parasite treatments. Read it carefully and pass it to the government vet in your transit country who will be preparing the health certificate.
Apply for the permit during the waiting period in your transit country, not at the last minute. If the permit is delayed or issued with conditions you cannot meet in time, your travel date will need to move. Your IPATA agent can manage the BICON application and track progress with DAFF.
What happens at Mickleham quarantine and what are the costs?
Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Melbourne, Victoria is the only place in Australia where arriving cats and dogs undergo their mandatory 10-day quarantine. All pets enter Australia through Melbourne Airport (MEL). If your final destination is Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, or elsewhere, you collect your pet after the 10-day period and arrange onward domestic travel.
The quarantine period is fixed at 10 days. Your pet is housed individually in climate-controlled accommodation. DAFF staff care for the animals throughout. You cannot visit during quarantine but can contact DAFF to enquire about your pet’s welfare.
Quarantine fees are paid by the owner. Current rates are approximately AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,400 for 10 days depending on pet size. Confirm current fees when booking, as DAFF reviews these periodically.
Quarantine spaces are limited and must be pre-booked well in advance. Demand peaks during school holidays, the December to January summer period, and around Easter. Secure your quarantine booking before purchasing the Australia-leg flight. Your IPATA agent can manage this booking as part of the overall coordination.