Pet Transport Mexico to Australia: The 2026 Staged Move Guide

Mexico has endemic rabies, particularly in wildlife and stray dog populations in rural areas. This places it in the non-approved category for DAFF’s pet import system. The classification applies to all of Mexico regardless of your specific city or state of residence.

For most Mexican expats moving to Australia, the USA is the natural staging country because the air connection from Mexican cities to American hubs is so well-established. However, staging via the USA means going through Group 3 entry conditions for Australia, which adds an RNATT titre test requirement and a 180-day wait from the blood draw date on top of the 180-day residency. That is where the 14 to 18-month total timeline comes from.

If you have flexibility, staging via Singapore (Group 2) removes the RNATT requirement and trims the total timeline by roughly 4 to 6 months, though Singapore entry requires a 30-day quarantine that the USA does not.

SENASICA (Mexico’s national agricultural health authority) is responsible for certifying pets for export. You’ll need a SENASICA-registered vet to issue a health certificate and an export permit before your pet leaves Mexico. The health certificate confirms your pet’s microchip, vaccination history, and fitness to travel. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for the permit process.

If staging in the USA, the health certificate also needs USDA endorsement before entry (as the USA requires endorsement of foreign health certificates for imported animals). Your pet agent in the USA can advise on the specific endorsement format for pets travelling to the US from Mexico.

After 180 days of continuous approved-country residency, the Australia leg involves the Group-specific documentation: health certificate from the staging country within 5 days of travel, the DAFF BICON import permit (applied for and received during the staging period), and the Mickleham booking confirmation.

From Los Angeles, Qantas and United both operate direct cargo services to Sydney and Melbourne. Qantas Freight is a well-used option for the LAX to SYD sector. On arrival, your pet goes to Mickleham in Melbourne for the mandatory 10-day quarantine. All pets arriving in Australia, regardless of port of entry, quarantine at Mickleham. Book your quarantine place as soon as you have a confirmed Australia arrival date.