Lead time needed
30-36 weeks
Quarantine
10 days
Route complexity
High
Airlines
5 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport from the Netherlands to Australia

A move from Netherlands to Australia with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Around 30-36 weeks is sensible here, with a few steps that must happen in a strict order. Your pet will spend 10 days in quarantine after …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Netherlands to Australia typically takes around 30-36 weeks. Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
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Prepared and reviewed by , Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step

The Netherlands 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, before vaccinations.
Implant ISO microchip

Responsible: Veterinarian

2
After microchip is confirmed.
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Veterinarian

3
As early as possible, ideally 4-6 months before travel.
Apply for DAFF import permit via BICON

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
Immediately after permit is granted.
Book quarantine space at Mickleham MARS

Responsible: Owner or agent

5
8-12 weeks before travel.
Book cargo space to Melbourne (MEL)

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
At least 4 weeks before travel.
Acclimatise pet to IATA-compliant crate

Responsible: Owner

7
Within 10 days of travel. Format must match DAFF requirements exactly.
Obtain official health certificate from NVWA-certified official vet

Responsible: NVWA-certified official veterinarian

8
Arrive at cargo check-in 3-4 hours before departure.
Depart to Melbourne as cargo

Responsible: Airline cargo

9
Mandatory on arrival.
10-day quarantine at Mickleham

Responsible: DAFF / MARS

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
ISO 11784/11785 microchip mandatory. Must be implanted before any rabies …
Rabies vaccination
Current and valid rabies vaccination required. Within manufacturer-stated …
Rabies titre test
Required. the Netherlands is a DAFF Group 3 country, so a rabies neutralising …
Quarantine
Mandatory. Minimum 10 days at the MARS facility, Mickleham, Victoria. All pets …
Import permit
Required. Apply through the DAFF BICON system before booking flights or …
Health certificate
Required. Official NVWA health certificate in DAFF-approved format for Group 3 …
Export permit
No export permit required for personal pet exports from the Netherlands. The …
Costs

What this route typically costs

DAFF import permit: approximately AUD 60-120
Quarantine at Mickleham (10 days): approximately AUD 1,877 per pet. …
Airline cargo from Amsterdam to Melbourne: approximately EUR 900-2,200 …
IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-400
NVWA official vet health certificate: EUR 80-200
Vaccinations and microchip: EUR 80-200
Pet transport agent: EUR 600-1,600 (recommended)

Critical points

All pets must arrive at Melbourne International Airport (MEL). No other Australian airport accepts international pet imports.

The netherlands is DAFF Group 3, so the RNATT titre test applies and 180 days run from the blood sample date. Confirm this classification is current at agriculture.gov.au before booking.

Quarantine fee must be paid in full before release. Budget AUD 1,877+ per pet.

Health certificate valid for 10 days from issue. A rebooked flight requires a new certificate.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

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

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines / Air France-KLM Cargo
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Melbourne via various hubs. KLM does not operate direct …
Cargo Only
Emirates
Amsterdam to Melbourne via Dubai. Pets travel as manifest cargo via Emirates SkyCargo. …
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways Cargo
Amsterdam to Melbourne via Doha. Direct Doha-Melbourne service. Confirm temperature and …
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Amsterdam via Singapore Changi to Melbourne. Pets as manifest cargo. Check AVS airside …
Cargo Only
Etihad Cargo
Amsterdam to Melbourne via Abu Dhabi. Pets as manifest cargo. Seasonal Gulf heat …
Cargo Only

Meeting Australia's entry requirements

The requirements for Australia are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.

Advice worth following

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

No. The netherlands is DAFF Group 3, so the RNATT titre test applies and 180 days run from the blood sample date. A current rabies vaccination is still required. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs (2026).
Minimum 10 days at Mickleham MARS in Victoria. Mandatory and cannot be reduced. All pets must arrive at Melbourne International Airport.
Approximately AUD 1,877 per pet at current DAFF rates. Must be paid before release. Verify current rates at agriculture.gov.au.
Allow 16 to 24 weeks. No titre test required for the Netherlands. Key time drivers: DAFF import permit and quarantine booking.
An NVWA-certified official veterinarian. The certificate must follow DAFF’s approved Group 3 format and be issued within 10 days of travel. Source: NVWA, nvwa.nl; DAFF, agriculture.gov.au.
Airline guides
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines / Air France-KLM Cargo
  • Emirates
  • Qatar Airways Cargo
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Etihad Cargo
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to Australia.

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NL AUNetherlands to Australia
International pet transport route
Lead time30-36 weeks
Quarantine10 days
ComplexityHigh
Airlines5
ServiceDoor to door
Get a free quote for this route
Country and airline guides
Shipping Pets from the Netherlands→Australia pet import rules→KLM pet cargo policy→Emirates pet cargo policy→

Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

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