Pet Transport from the United Arab Emirates to Australia
Planning a pet relocation from United Arab Emirates to Australia is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Plan for approximately 28-40 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Arab Emirates to Australia
typically takes around 28-40 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, step by step
Every step must be completed in sequence. Starting early is critical: a missed deadline can add months.
1
Before any other preparation. Check agriculture.gov.au for the current approved country list. The UAE's classification determines whether a direct route is possible.
Verify UAE's current DAFF classification for Australian import
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
2
First practical step. Must be done before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Responsible: Your veterinarian in the UAE
3
After microchipping. The titre test blood draw cannot happen until at least 30 days after the final vaccination dose.
Complete rabies vaccination course
Responsible: Your veterinarian in the UAE
4
At least 30 days after the final rabies vaccination. After a passing result, a 180-day wait applies before Australian entry. This period cannot be shortened under any circumstances.
Rabies titre test blood draw at a DAFF-approved laboratory
Responsible: Your veterinarian and DAFF-approved laboratory
5
Apply as early as possible, ideally around the time of the titre test. Allow 4-8 weeks for DAFF processing.
Apply for DAFF import permit
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent via agriculture.gov.au
6
Within the DAFF validity window, typically within 10 days of departure. Dubai Municipality or MOCCAE endorsement required.
Obtain UAE health certificate with authority endorsement
Responsible: UAE government-approved veterinarian and endorsing authority
7
All pets must land at Melbourne International Airport. Quarantine begins immediately on arrival and lasts a minimum of 10 days.
Fly as manifested cargo to Melbourne; complete Mickleham quarantine
Responsible: Owner and airline cargo agent
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Australia
Every item below must be completed and verified. We manage and cross-check each one.
Entry into Australia
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count towards Australian entry.
Required
Rabies vaccination
Required. Vaccination course must be completed after microchipping. Blood draw for titre test cannot take place until at least 30 days after the final vaccination dose.
Required
Rabies titre test
Required if UAE is classified as Group 3 or lower by DAFF. Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. Minimum result: 0.5 IU/ml at a DAFF-approved laboratory. A 180-day wait applies after the blood draw date before entry to Australia. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs.
Critical
Quarantine
Mandatory. Minimum 10 days at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility, Melbourne, Victoria. All costs paid by the owner. Current DAFF rate for a standard 10-day stay is approximately AUD 1,877 or above. No other quarantine facility is approved.
Critical
Import permit
Required. Must be obtained from DAFF before travel. Apply via agriculture.gov.au. Allow 4-8 weeks for processing. The permit specifies all conditions your pet must meet.
Required
Health certificate
Required in the DAFF-approved format for UAE-origin pets. Issued by a UAE government-approved vet and endorsed by Dubai Municipality or the relevant UAE authority before departure.
Required
Leaving United Arab Emirates
Export permit
No UAE-specific export permit required for cats and dogs. The endorsed health certificate is the primary export document. ISO 11784/11785 microchip must be implanted and recorded before travel.
Required
Health certificate
Required. Issued by a UAE government-approved veterinarian in DAFF-approved format. For Dubai-based pets, endorsed by Dubai Municipality veterinary services. For Abu Dhabi and other emirates, endorsed by MOCCAE or the relevant authority. Source: MOCCAE, moccae.gov.ae.
Required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees (Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Melbourne): typically AED 5,000-15,000 depending on pet size, crate dimensions and routing
IATA-compliant travel crate: AED 500-2,000 depending on size
Veterinary fees in the UAE: microchip, vaccinations, health certificate preparation and authority endorsement
Titre test laboratory fee: approximately AED 600-1,200 at an approved laboratory
Mickleham quarantine facility costs: approximately AUD 1,877 or above for a standard 10-day stay, paid by the owner
Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended for this route): AED 3,000-8,000 depending on service level
Critical points
Verify UAE's DAFF-approved country classification at agriculture.gov.au BEFORE starting preparation. If the UAE is not on the approved list, a direct route to Australia is not possible and a stepping-stone country, most commonly the UK with a minimum 6-month stay, is required.
All pets entering Australia must arrive at Melbourne International Airport. No other Australian airport is approved for quarantine intake. Flights routing into Sydney, Brisbane or Perth cannot be used for pet import.
The 180-day post-titre wait begins on the date the blood was drawn, not the date the result was received. Starting the titre test late is the most common reason for missed travel dates on this route.
Import permit must be obtained from DAFF before travel. The airline will require it before accepting the pet cargo booking.
Temperature embargoes during Gulf summer months (typically June to September) can affect airline availability. Plan cargo bookings well in advance and confirm with the airline cargo department.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book live animal cargo correctly.
EM
Emirates
Cargo only from Dubai (DXB). Pets travel as manifested cargo via Emirates SkyCargo in a temperature-controlled hold. Direct services to Melbourne (MEL). Book through an approved cargo agent. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional documentation and subject to seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply during Gulf summer months.
Cargo Only
ET
Etihad Airways
Cargo only from Abu Dhabi (AUH). Pets travel via Etihad Cargo in a pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Contact Etihad Cargo directly for live animal bookings. Temperature restrictions apply during summer months.
Cargo Only
QA
Qantas
Cargo only. No direct UAE service; UAE pets routed via connecting cargo hubs. Operates via Qantas Freight on Australia legs. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round on Qantas cargo. Temperature embargoes during Australian summer (December to February).
Cargo Only
SI
Singapore Airlines
Cargo routing via Singapore (SIN) hub. Connects Dubai to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Pets travel in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold via Singapore Airlines Cargo. The SIN connection is a commonly used routing for UAE-Australia moves.
Cargo Only
BR
British Airways
Cargo only via London Heathrow (LHR). Relevant for owners using the UK stepping-stone route before onward travel to Australia. No cabin pets on any BA route. Book through IAG Cargo.
Cargo Only
Australia import rules, explained
Australia runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
Practical tips for this move
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.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
FAQ
Common questions
It depends on the UAE’s current classification on DAFF’s approved country list. Check agriculture.gov.au to confirm the UAE’s status before planning anything. If the UAE is not approved, a direct route is not possible and a stepping-stone country, most commonly the UK with a minimum 6-month stay, will be required.
If a direct route is possible, allow a minimum of 28-40 weeks from starting preparation. The 180-day post-titre wait alone accounts for most of this time. The UK stepping-stone route extends the total timeline to 12-18 months but is sometimes the only viable option.
Yes. All pets entering Australia undergo mandatory quarantine at the Mickleham facility in Melbourne, Victoria. The minimum stay is 10 days. The cost is paid entirely by the owner. The quarantine period cannot be waived or shortened.
Melbourne International Airport is the only approved entry point for quarantine-bound pets. All pets must arrive at Melbourne regardless of your final destination in Australia. Flights into Sydney, Brisbane or other cities cannot be used for pet import. Plan your travel arrangements around this requirement.
The titre test is a blood test confirming your pet has developed sufficient antibodies against rabies. Blood is drawn at least 30 days after the final rabies vaccination. After a passing result (minimum 0.5 IU/ml at a DAFF-approved laboratory), a 180-day waiting period applies before your pet can enter Australia. This period begins on the date the blood was drawn, not when the result was received. It cannot be shortened under any circumstances. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au.
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