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Pet Transport Vietnam to Australia: The 2026 Staged Move Pathway

Moving a dog or cat from Vietnam to Australia is very doable with the right preparation. Budget around 36-52 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this route stack …

36-52 wks
Preparation needed
10 days
Quarantine on arrival
Very-High
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
36-52 weeks
Quarantine
10 days
Route complexity
Very-High
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must …
QuarantineMandatory 10-day quarantine at Mickleham …
Import permitDAFF import permit via BICON …
Health certificateDAFF-format health certificate issued …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from Vietnam to Australia typically takes around 36-52 weeks. Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
3-4 months before planned Singapore arrival.
Start Singapore preparation: microchip, rabies vaccination, arrange titre test, appoint AVS-recognised pet agent, apply for Singapore import licence.

Responsible: Owner and pet agent

2
Singapore arrival day.
Pet arrives in Singapore. Transfers to Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) Sembawang for 30-day quarantine.

Responsible: AVS-recognised pet agent

3
Day 30 in Singapore.
Pet released from AQC. Begins continuous Singapore residency. 180-day clock running.

Responsible: Owner

4
During Singapore residency, at least 30 days before intended Australia departure. Allow AUD 420 and 20-30 days processing.
Apply for DAFF Australia import permit via BICON. Pre-book Mickleham quarantine.

Responsible: Owner or agent

5
Within 5 days of departure from Singapore for Australia.
DAFF-format health certificate issued in Singapore.

Responsible: Singapore government vet

6
After 180 continuous days in Singapore.
Travel to Australia. 10-day Mickleham quarantine.

Responsible: Airline and DAFF

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate all vaccinations.
Quarantine
Mandatory 10-day quarantine at Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility, Melbourne. All imported cats and dogs quarantine at Mickleham regardless of origin or transit country. Pre-book in advance.
Import permit
DAFF import permit via BICON (agriculture.gov.au). Approximately AUD 420. Apply during the Singapore residency period; allow 20-30 days.
Health certificate
DAFF-format health certificate issued within 5 days of departure from Singapore.
Export permit
No formal export permit for personal pets. DAH-endorsed health certificate covers the exit documentation.
Health certificate
Health certificate from a Vietnamese veterinarian endorsed by the Department of Animal Health (DAH, under MARD). Required for the transit country leg.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam to Singapore)
Vietnam Airlines operates Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Hanoi (HAN) to Singapore Changi (SIN) daily. Vietnam Airlines Cargo accepts pets as manifest cargo. Reliable connection for the first leg of the staged move.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines (Singapore to Australia)
Singapore Airlines operates multiple daily flights from SIN to Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL). Singapore Airlines Cargo handles live animals with temperature-controlled hold at Changi. Standard choice for the Singapore to Australia leg.
Cargo Only
Qantas (Singapore to Australia)
Qantas operates SIN to SYD and MEL. Qantas Freight handles pet cargo. Alternative to Singapore Airlines for the Australia leg.
Cargo Only
Scoot (Vietnam to Singapore, alternative)
Scoot operates SGN to SIN. Budget option; confirm current pet cargo policy directly with Scoot as availability is not guaranteed on all departures.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

Singapore titre test and AVS documentation: approximately SGD 300-600
Singapore AQC 30-day quarantine: SGD 1,500-3,000 (approximately AUD 1,700-3,400)
DAFF Australia import permit: AUD 420
Air cargo SIN to SYD or MEL: approximately AUD 1,200-2,800
Mickleham 10-day quarantine: AUD 1,800-3,500
Total direct animal costs (excluding Singapore living expenses): approximately AUD 5,500-10,500

Critical points

Vietnam is non-approved for DAFF. Direct export to Australia is not permitted under any circumstances. The 180-day residency requirement in an approved country is absolute.

The 180 days must be continuous. Any break (returning to Vietnam, visiting a non-approved country for more than a transit airside stop) resets the clock.

Mickleham does not operate on weekends or Australian public holidays. Time your arrival so quarantine can begin on a weekday.

From 1 April 2026, an AVS-recognised pet agent is required for CAPQ clearance in Singapore. Appoint one before the Singapore leg.

Meeting Australia's entry requirements

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

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

No. Vietnam is classified as a non-approved country by DAFF. Direct export from Vietnam to Australia is not permitted. Your pet must first reside in a DAFF-approved country (such as Singapore) for at least 180 consecutive days. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs.
Singapore is DAFF Group 2 (rabies-free), which means pets departing from Singapore for Australia do not need an RNATT titre test. The Singapore to Australia leg is therefore simpler than going via the UK or USA (which are Group 3 and require an RNATT plus 180-day wait from blood draw). Singapore also has excellent air connections from Vietnam and to Australia.
Budget 9 to 13 months from your first vet visit to your pet clearing Mickleham. This includes 3-4 months preparing for Singapore entry, 30 days in Singapore quarantine, at least 150 more days of Singapore residency, plus travel and 10-day Mickleham quarantine. Start well ahead of your own relocation.
Yes. DAFF non-approved country rules apply to both cats and dogs. Cats from Vietnam also require the 180-day approved country residency. In Singapore, cats arriving from Vietnam (Schedule III) also need the 30-day AQC quarantine and titre test. The Australia leg is the same for both species.
The DAFF import permit authorises the import of your specific pet to Australia. Apply online through the BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions) system at agriculture.gov.au. The fee is approximately AUD 420 and processing takes 20-30 days. Apply during your pet’s Singapore residency period, at least 30 days before your planned Australia departure.
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Airline guides
  • Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam to Singapore)
  • Singapore Airlines (Singapore to Australia)
  • Qantas (Singapore to Australia)
  • Scoot (Vietnam to Singapore, alternative)
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