Pet Transport Thailand to Australia: The 2026 Staged Move

DAFF’s country classification for pet imports places Thailand in the non-approved category due to endemic rabies. This is a biosecurity classification that applies regardless of your pet’s individual vaccination record or health status. It means that DAFF will not accept an import permit application for a pet being exported directly from Thailand.

The route available to you is a staged move. Your pet must reside continuously in a DAFF-approved Group 2 or Group 3 country for at least 180 days immediately before the Australia flight. Singapore, as DAFF Group 2 (rabies-free), is the standard choice. Its proximity to Thailand, direct air links, and Group 2 status (which removes the RNATT titre test requirement for the Australia leg) make it the most practical stepping stone.

Singapore’s import requirements for pets from Thailand (Schedule III country) involve a rabies vaccination, a FAVN titre test (0.5 IU/ml minimum), an AVS NParks import licence, and a 30-day quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) at Sembawang. Allow 3 to 4 months to get everything ready for the Singapore entry, and appoint an AVS-recognised pet agent who handles clearance at Changi CAPQ (mandatory from 1 April 2026).

After the 30-day Singapore quarantine, your pet is released and the 180-day DAFF residency clock begins. Your pet needs to stay in Singapore for at least another 150 days. During this period, apply for the DAFF BICON import permit and pre-book Mickleham quarantine. Both have lead times of several weeks, so don’t leave them to the last month.

Once 180 days of continuous Singapore residency are complete, your pet travels to Australia as a Singapore-origin pet under DAFF Group 2 rules. The key advantage: no RNATT titre test required. You need the DAFF-format health certificate (issued in Singapore within 5 days of travel), your valid DAFF import permit, and the Mickleham booking confirmation.

Singapore Airlines and Qantas both run frequent cargo services on SIN-SYD and SIN-MEL. Book the cargo space 6 to 8 weeks ahead and confirm live animal acceptance on your specific flight. On arrival in Australia, all imported pets go to Mickleham in Melbourne for the mandatory 10-day quarantine. Mickleham is the only approved facility, regardless of which Australian city your flight arrives into.