Lead time needed
26-40 weeks
Quarantine
10 days
Route complexity
Very High
Airlines
5 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport USA to Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide

Bringing your dog or cat from United States to Australia takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Expect a long lead time of roughly 26-40 weeks; the waiting periods here cannot be rushed. Your pet will spend 10 days in quarantine after …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to Australia typically takes around 26-40 weeks. Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The United States 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
Immediately. Must precede all vaccinations.
Implant ISO microchip

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

2
After microchip. Allow time for full course per your vet's schedule.
Complete rabies vaccination primary course

Responsible: Vet

3
As soon as you know your travel intent. Allow 4-6 weeks.
Apply for DAFF import permit via BICON

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
At least 30 days after the final vaccination in the primary course
Blood draw for titre test at DAFF-approved laboratory

Responsible: DAFF-approved laboratory vet

5
Cannot be shortened. Plan travel at least 6+ months from titre test date.
180-day waiting period begins

Responsible: Owner to track

6
Book quarantine immediately once titre date is confirmed. Spaces fill up months ahead.
Book cargo space and pre-book quarantine facility at Mickleham

Responsible: Owner or agent

7
Within 10 days of travel date
USDA-accredited vet health examination and DAFF-format certificate

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

8
After vet signs. Allow 2-10 business days. Use VEHCS electronic system where possible.
USDA APHIS endorsement of health certificate

Responsible: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services

9
On travel date. Via direct Qantas or via Singapore/Hong Kong hub.
Travel to Australia as cargo

Responsible: Airline cargo

10
10 days from arrival. Owner travels to Melbourne to collect.
10-day quarantine at Mickleham, collection after clearance

Responsible: DAFF quarantine facility

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 15mm standard required. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination or …
Rabies vaccination
Required. Full primary vaccination course required. At least 30 days must pass …
Rabies titre test
Mandatory. DAFF-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day waiting …
Quarantine
10 days minimum at DAFF Post Entry Quarantine facility (Mickleham, Victoria). …
Import permit
Required from DAFF via BICON portal before departure. Allow 4-6 weeks for …
Health certificate
DAFF-approved format, completed by USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days …
Export permit
No formal export permit. USDA-endorsed health certificate covers export …
Costs

What this route typically costs

DAFF import permit fee: approximately AUD 500 to AUD 1,500
Quarantine facility fee: approximately AUD 2,000 to AUD 4,000 for …
Cargo airline fee: $1,500 to $5,000 USD from a US hub to Sydney or …
USDA-accredited vet examination and DAFF-format certificate: $200 to …
USDA APHIS endorsement fee: $38 per certificate
DAFF-approved titre test laboratory: $150 to $350 USD
Pet transport agent fee (US side): $500 to $2,000
IATA-compliant travel crate: $100 to $500
Total typical range: $5,000 to $14,000+ USD all in, including …

Critical points

The 180-day wait after the titre test is mandatory with no exceptions. Begin this process at minimum 7 months before your intended travel date.

USA is classified as Group 4 by DAFF, which is a higher-risk classification than the UK (Group 3). The titre test and quarantine requirements are the same, but the permit process may require additional documentation.

United Airlines has suspended its PetSafe cargo program for the general public. Do not book United for this route.

Quarantine at Mickleham must be pre-booked before departure. Arriving without a confirmed booking will cause delays and additional costs.

The DAFF import permit must be in place before the pet departs the US. Permits are not issued retrospectively.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

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

Qantas
Direct Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney and Melbourne routes. Cargo pet service available. Best …
Cargo Only
United Airlines
IMPORTANT: United PetSafe cargo program is SUSPENDED for the general public. Do not book …
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines
Via Sydney from Los Angeles or Atlanta. Cargo pet service. Check seasonal embargoes.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Via Singapore hub. San Francisco or Los Angeles to Singapore, onward to Sydney or …
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Via Hong Kong hub. US to Australia connections with cargo pet service.
Cargo Only

Australia entry requirements at a glance

Entry to Australia is tightly controlled, and officials verify each requirement in turn. Treat it as a sequence where every step gates the next.

Getting the details right

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.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

FAQ

Common questions

All pets arriving in Australia must go through the quarantine facility at Mickleham, which is near Melbourne. There is no approved facility in any other Australian city. Your pet will fly to Melbourne (MEL or Tullamarine), complete the 10-day quarantine, and then you can arrange domestic transport to your final destination. If you are moving to Perth or Brisbane, factor in the additional domestic leg from Melbourne.
Yes, provided the vaccination was properly administered, recorded, and the timing sequence is correct (microchip before vaccination, then at least 30 days before the titre test blood draw). The DAFF-approved laboratory will evaluate the titre test result regardless of where the vaccination was given. What matters is the titre result (0.5 IU/ml or above) and the timing documentation.
There are no extensions to the 180-day waiting period. If your travel date moves and you are within the 180-day window from your titre test, you must wait until the 180 days have passed. If your titre test result expires (titre tests are valid indefinitely if vaccination cover is maintained, but if vaccination lapses, a new test may be required), the timeline can restart. Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination current throughout the waiting period.
It is strongly recommended. The combination of USDA-accredited vet, USDA APHIS endorsement, DAFF-format certificate, BICON permit application, airline cargo booking, and quarantine facility reservation is technically manageable alone but operationally complex. A single document error at any point can delay the move significantly. US-based agents who specialise in the Australian route typically charge $500 to $2,000 and coordinate all steps on your behalf.
Australia bans the import of Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and perros de presa Canario. These are absolute bans with no exemptions. A dog that substantially conforms to the type characteristics of a banned breed may also be refused, even without a formal breed certificate. Additional state-level breed restrictions may apply once the dog is in Australia.
Agent fees for the US to Australia route typically run $500 to $2,000 on the US side, plus AUD 2,000 to AUD 4,000 for the Australian quarantine handling agent (usually required). The saving from not using an agent is rarely worth the risk on this particular route. Documentation errors that require the animal to be returned or held cost significantly more than the agent fee. Most experienced relocators on this corridor use an agent for both the US side and the Australian arrival process.
Airline guides
  • Qantas
  • United Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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US AUUnited States to Australia
International pet transport route
Lead time26-40 weeks
Quarantine10 days
ComplexityVery High
Airlines5
ServiceDoor to door
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