Pet Transport from Singapore to Australia

Bringing your dog or cat from Singapore to Australia takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Budget around 8-12 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this route …

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8-12

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

10 days

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

8-12 weeks

Quarantine

10 days

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Singapore to Australia typically takes around 8-12 weeks. Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival. A rabies titre test is not required.

Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.

Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The Singapore to Australia import process

First. Every document carries its number.

Check or implant an ISO compatible microchip

Responsible: Your vet

Before any other preparation, and at least 180 days before export. A dog becomes eligible 180 days after this check; a cat must have lived in a Group 1 or 2 country for those 180 days.

Official identity check by a government veterinarian

Responsible: Official government vet

DAFF says most permits are issued in 20 to 40 business days, and some take up to 123. A Group 2 permit is valid for 12 months.

Apply for the DAFF import permit through BICON

Responsible: You or your pet transport agent

After the import permit is issued.

Book the Mickleham quarantine place

Responsible: You or your pet transport agent

A Leishmania infantum test, a Brucella canis test if not desexed, and Leptospira Canicola vaccination or a negative test. Dogs from Singapore must be fully vaccinated against canine influenza (DAFF).

Dog tests in the last 45 days

Responsible: Government approved vet

An official government veterinarian endorses the certificate within 5 days before export and seals the crate; the seal must be intact on arrival.

Health certificate and crate seal

Responsible: Official government vet

Pets cannot travel in the cabin, and there are no domestic transfers.

Fly as manifested cargo directly into Melbourne

Responsible: Airline cargo

At least 10 days.

Quarantine at Mickleham, Melbourne

Responsible: DAFF

Requirements

Australia entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

An ISO compatible microchip, readable by an ISO compatible reader.

Rabies vaccination

DAFF's Group 2 guides do not require a rabies vaccination.

Rabies titre test

Not required from Group 2 countries.

Quarantine

At least 10 days at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility in Melbourne. Book the place after the import permit is issued.

Import permit

Required, from DAFF through its BICON system. DAFF says most permits are issued in 20 to 40 business days, and some take up to 123. A Group 2 permit is valid for 12 months.

Health certificate

DAFF's certificate, endorsed by an official government veterinarian within 5 days before export, who also seals the crate.

Leaving Singapore

Export requirements

Export permit

AVS export endorsement required. Pets leaving Singapore must have AVS clearance and an official health certificate endorsed by AVS.

Health certificate

DAFF-compatible health certificate, issued by an AVS-authorised vet and endorsed by AVS. Must use exact DAFF-approved format for Singapore. Valid for 5 days from issue, so it is one of the last steps before the flight.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Australian government charges for one pet (DAFF import permit and Mickleham quarantine): about AUD 3,000 to 3,300 with a 10-day stay, or about AUD 4,100 to 4,400 with a 30-day stay (DAFF fees, checked October 2026).

Veterinary work, tests and the health certificate in the export country: quoted per move.

Flight as manifested cargo to Melbourne: depends on crate size, routing and season, quoted per move.

Prices change with your pet's size and crate, the airline and routing, the season, fuel surcharges and exchange rates. Your quote may differ.

Critical points

Singapore is in DAFF's Group 2, the approved rabies-free group: no rabies blood test, but the official identity check must happen at least 180 days before export.

Quarantine is at least 10 days at Mickleham, and the crate seal fitted by the official vet must be intact on arrival.

Pets enter Australia only through Melbourne International Airport, as manifested cargo.

Dogs from Singapore must be fully vaccinated against canine influenza (DAFF).

Australia bans these dog breeds outright: dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, and Perro de Presa Canario, plus the wolf hybrids Czechoslovakian wolfdog, Saarloos wolfdog, Lupo Italiano and Kunming wolfdog. Non-domestic cat hybrids (Savannah, Safari, Chausie and Bengal, and their crossbred offspring) are banned, and Bengal cats have not been allowed into Australia since 1 March 2026 (DAFF).

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: SIN to SYD, MEL, BNE, PER direct. Live animal facility at Changi. The standard carrier for SG-AU pet moves. No cabin pets on this route.	Cargo Only
Qantas	Cargo: SIN to SYD, MEL. Direct services. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Seasonal temperature embargoes (Dec-Feb Australia summer).	Cargo Only
Jetstar	Does not accept pets in hold. Not suitable.	No Pets
Scoot	Does not accept pets. Not suitable.	No Pets

Meeting Australia's entry requirements

Getting a pet into Australia means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.

Advice worth following

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

At least 180 days from the official identity check, which must come before any other preparation. A dog is eligible 180 days after the check; a cat must have lived in Singapore or another Group 1 or 2 country for that time.

Yes, at least 10 days at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility in Melbourne.

No. Singapore is in DAFF’s Group 2, so no rabies blood test is needed.

Yes. Apply to DAFF through BICON before you book. DAFF says most permits are issued in 20 to 40 business days, and some take up to 123. A Group 2 permit is valid for 12 months.

DAFF’s own certificate, endorsed by an official government veterinarian within 5 days before export, who also fits a seal to the crate.

Airline guides

Singapore Airlines
Qantas
Jetstar
Scoot

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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