Banned Dog Breeds and Prohibited Pets: What You Cannot Import into Australia

The five dog breeds banned from import into Australia

Under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, five breeds of dog cannot be brought into Australia:

1. American pit bull terrier (also referred to simply as pit bull terrier)
2. Dogo Argentino
3. Fila Brasileiro
4. Japanese tosa
5. Perro de Presa Canario (also known as Presa Canario)

The ban extends to crossbreeds of these dogs. A dog that visibly displays characteristics of any of the prohibited breeds may be refused entry or seized at the border.

The only narrow exception in the regulations allows the Minister or an authorised person to grant written permission for import for scientific purposes. This is not a pathway for pet owners — it is an extremely limited channel that does not apply in ordinary circumstances.

If you are unsure whether your dog falls into a prohibited category, contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry before booking any travel or quarantine arrangements. Attempting to import a prohibited breed risks seizure and destruction of the animal, as well as prosecution under customs law.

Hybrid cats that cannot be imported: Savannah, Bengal, Chausie, and Safari cats

Australia only permits the import of fully domestic cats. Cats that are hybrids of a domestic cat and any non-domestic (wild) feline species are not permitted to enter the country, regardless of how many generations removed from the wild ancestor the animal is claimed to be.

The prohibited hybrid cat breeds include:

- Savannah cat (domestic cat × serval)
- Bengal cat (domestic cat × Asian leopard cat)
- Chausie (domestic cat × jungle cat)
- Safari cat (domestic cat × Geoffroy's cat)

Savannah cats have never been permitted for import into Australia. The serval is a wild African cat species, and no hybrid between a domestic cat and a serval is on Australia's Live Import List under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Bengal cats had a conditional exemption for a period: cats that could be demonstrated to be five or more generations removed from the Asian leopard cat were, in some circumstances, permitted under that exemption. However, following a policy review, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) announced in December 2024 that this exemption would end. As of 1 March 2026, Bengal cats are no longer permitted to enter Australia under any circumstances.

If your cat is a hybrid of any kind, check the Live Import List on the DCCEEW website and contact the DCCEEW Environmental Biosecurity Office before making any arrangements. Do not rely on a breeder's claim about generation number — you will need to satisfy the department's own assessment process, and as of 2026, no Bengal cat hybrid is being approved for import regardless of generation.

Why these bans exist: biosecurity, environment, and public safety

The prohibited dog breeds and hybrid cats are banned under different legal frameworks, reflecting different policy concerns.

The dog breed bans sit under customs law — specifically the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 — and are driven by public safety. The five prohibited breeds were all originally developed for fighting or as guard dogs bred for aggression, and successive Australian governments have taken the view that importing them poses an unacceptable risk to public safety and to other animals.

The hybrid cat bans operate under environmental law — the EPBC Act — and are driven by Australia's unique biosecurity position. Australia has no wild servals, no wild Asian leopard cats, and no comparable small wild felines in its ecosystem. The government's concern is that hybrid cats may be harder to contain than fully domestic cats, may have stronger hunting instincts, and could threaten native wildlife — which is already under significant pressure from feral domestic cats. The Live Import List exists precisely to prevent the accidental introduction of species or hybrids that could become invasive.

Dog hybrids with wolf or dingo ancestry are also prohibited from import under the EPBC Act framework.

Import bans versus state and territory dangerous-dog laws: two separate systems

It is important to distinguish between the federal import ban and the state and territory breed-specific laws that apply to dogs already living in Australia.

The federal import ban means these five breeds cannot enter Australia at all. That rule is absolute at the border.

Separately, each state and territory has its own legislation covering ownership of what are variously called 'restricted breed dogs' or 'declared dangerous dogs' within Australia. These laws apply to dogs that were already in Australia before the breed bans took effect, or dogs born here with disputed lineage. The same five breeds are typically named as restricted under state law, but the detailed rules vary.

In most jurisdictions, owning a restricted-breed dog — where it is not outright prohibited — requires the dog to be desexed, microchipped, kept in an approved enclosure, muzzled and on a lead in public, and registered with the local council under special conditions.

Breeding restricted dogs is a criminal offence in most states, and penalties can include substantial fines and, in some jurisdictions, imprisonment.

The practical takeaway for someone moving to Australia: even if a dog of a prohibited breed were somehow inside Australia already (through historical exemptions or disputed lineage assessments), you could not legally import one. And if you are dealing with a dog whose breed is in question once you arrive, you need to check the specific laws in your state or territory — not just the federal position. Contact your relevant state or territory department of local government or agriculture for current ownership rules.

What animals are permitted: dogs and cats that can be imported

Australia does permit the import of domestic dogs and domestic cats, subject to meeting strict biosecurity requirements. These requirements exist independently of the breed bans and apply to all permitted pets.

All dogs and cats entering Australia must come from an approved country (or travel via an approved pathway from a non-approved country), be microchipped, have current rabies vaccinations (requirements vary by country of origin), meet specific treatment protocols depending on where they are coming from, hold a valid import permit issued before travel, and spend a mandatory period in government quarantine at the Mickleham facility in Victoria.

The quarantine period varies: pets from New Zealand (Group 1) face the shortest process, while pets from most other countries go through more extensive preparation and a longer stay at Mickleham.

For the complete, current requirements for your specific pet and country of origin, use the BICON system at bicon.agriculture.gov.au. The conditions are updated regularly, and the only reliable source is the official BICON case for your species and country combination.

Note that there is no exemption from breed assessment at the border. If officers have reason to believe a dog may be of a prohibited breed, the burden of proof falls on the importer.

Other animals you cannot keep as pets in Australia

Beyond dogs and cats, Australia also prohibits keeping many animals as domestic pets that are common pets in other countries — and import of these species is generally not permitted for private pet purposes.

Animals that cannot be kept as pets in Australia (and cannot be imported for this purpose) include ferrets (prohibited in Queensland and the Northern Territory; permitted with conditions in other states), most parrots and exotic birds from outside Australia, primates, large lizards such as iguanas, venomous snakes, many tortoise and turtle species, and rabbits (prohibited in Queensland).

Native Australian wildlife — including sugar gliders, possums, and kangaroos — is protected under federal and state law and cannot be kept as pets by private individuals without specific licences.

Australia's Live Import List, maintained by DCCEEW, sets out the complete list of animals that may be imported. If a species is not on that list, import is not permitted. For native Australian wildlife, contact your state or territory wildlife authority — the rules are separate from import law and vary significantly between jurisdictions.

Practical steps before you travel with a pet to Australia

If you are relocating to Australia and want to bring a pet, start the process as early as possible — ideally many months before your planned arrival date. The preparation timelines for vaccinations, treatments, and permits are long, and errors can result in your pet being denied entry or spending extra time in quarantine.

Key steps:

1. Check BICON first. Go to bicon.agriculture.gov.au and look up the import conditions for your species, breed, and country of origin. This is the authoritative source.

2. Confirm your animal is not a prohibited breed or hybrid. If there is any uncertainty about breed or ancestry, resolve this before applying for a permit.

3. Apply for an import permit well in advance. Permits are issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and you need the permit before your animal can enter Australia.

4. Work with an accredited veterinarian in your home country. The treatments and tests required must be performed within specific timeframes and certified by an official veterinarian.

5. Book quarantine at Mickleham. The facility in Mickleham, Victoria is the only one approved for cat and dog quarantine, and places fill up, particularly during peak migration periods.

6. Check state and territory laws on arrival. Some states have additional restrictions on certain breeds or require registration with local councils within a set period of arriving.

Are Savannah cats legal in Australia?

No. Savannah cats — a cross between a domestic cat and a wild serval — are not permitted for import into Australia and cannot legally be kept as pets here. They are not on Australia's Live Import List under the EPBC Act, which means no import permit can be issued for them. This applies to all generations of Savannah cat, including those many generations removed from the serval ancestor.

Are Bengal cats still permitted in Australia?

No, not for import. As of 1 March 2026, Bengal cats can no longer be imported into Australia under any circumstances. A previous exemption for cats demonstrated to be five or more generations from the Asian leopard cat was withdrawn following a DCCEEW policy review announced in December 2024. Bengal cats already living in Australia before that date are not affected by the import ban, but no new Bengal cats may enter the country.

What are the five dog breeds banned from import into Australia?

The five breeds prohibited under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 are: American pit bull terrier (pit bull terrier), dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, and Perro de Presa Canario (Presa Canario). Crossbreeds of these dogs are also prohibited. The only exception in the regulations is for dogs imported for scientific purposes, which requires written ministerial permission and does not apply to pet owners.

Can I own a pit bull or restricted breed dog if it is already in Australia?

This is a state and territory question, not a federal import question. The federal import ban means you cannot bring one in from overseas. For dogs already living in Australia, each state and territory has its own laws. Most jurisdictions either prohibit ownership of the five restricted breeds entirely or impose strict conditions — mandatory desexing, microchipping, muzzling in public, approved enclosures, and council registration. Breeding these dogs is a criminal offence in most states. Contact your state or territory's relevant authority for the rules that apply where you live.

Can I bring my mixed-breed dog to Australia if it looks like a restricted breed?

Possibly, but this is a risk to manage carefully. Australia's import regulations ban dogs of prohibited breeds and their crosses. If border officials assess your dog as displaying visible characteristics of a prohibited breed, the burden falls on you to demonstrate it is not. Mixed-breed dogs with no ancestry from the five prohibited breeds are permitted to enter, provided they meet all other import conditions. If your dog's appearance could raise questions, seek written advice from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry before you travel, and keep thorough documentation of your dog's breed history. Check BICON at bicon.agriculture.gov.au for current import conditions.