Bringing a Pet from a Non-Approved Country to Australia

Check your country's status on the DAFF approved list

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) maintains a list of approved countries from which cats and dogs can be imported. New Zealand and a handful of other countries are in Group 1 (no quarantine required). Countries like Japan, Singapore, and Mauritius are in Group 2 (lower risk). The United Kingdom, USA, Germany, France, Canada, Spain, and Italy are in Group 3 (the most common source). If your country is not on any of these lists, you'll need to arrange the transit route described below.

Visit the DAFF website at agriculture.gov.au and search for the approved-country list. Your country's status should be clearly stated. If you can't find your country or the information seems unclear, contact DAFF directly—their team can confirm in writing whether your country is approved.

Why some countries aren't on the approved list

Australia is rabies-free. The government works hard to keep it that way. Countries are approved only if DAFF is confident that cats and dogs there meet certain health and vaccination standards, and that the risk of rabies (and other diseases) is either absent or well-controlled. If a country has endemic rabies, a weak animal-health system, or inadequate vaccine coverage, it doesn't make the approved list. This is about biosecurity and public safety, not politics. Some countries may eventually be added to the list if their disease status changes or if they strengthen their health infrastructure.

The 6-month transit rule: how to work around it

If your country isn't approved, the only legal pathway is this:

1. Move your pet to an approved country first. This can be a country where you have family, a friend, or a contact who can temporarily care for your pet. It must be an approved country—any Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3 country on the DAFF list.

2. Your pet must live in that approved country for at least 6 months. This is a hard requirement. You cannot skip it or compress it. The 6 months is counted from when your pet enters the approved country.

3. After 6 months, start the import process from that approved country. Once your pet has completed the 6-month residency, you (or your proxy caring for the pet) can begin the full import steps: microchip, rabies vaccination, RNATT blood test (if required by the pet's group), import permit application, vet treatments, and health certificate. If the approved country is a Group 3 country, this will include the 10-day post-entry quarantine at the Mickleham facility in Victoria.

4. Then your pet can travel to Australia. The whole process from the start of the 6-month wait until your pet lands in Australia typically takes 12–15 months.

Practical considerations for the transit route

Caring for your pet abroad: You'll need someone in the approved country who can legally care for your pet for 6 months. This might be a family member, a trusted friend, or a professional pet-care service. Make sure you have a clear agreement in writing about who pays for food, vet care, and housing.

Costs add up: Your pet will need flights to the approved country, accommodation and care for 6 months, then flights to Australia, plus all the vet costs and import fees for the second country. The total can easily exceed what a direct import would cost.

Your own move timing: If you're moving to Australia and want your pet with you, you'll need to arrange your move so that your pet can be cared for during the 6-month wait in the approved country. Some people move first and then bring their pet once the transit period is over. Others delay their own move until their pet can join them.

Verify the approved-country list before committing

The list of approved countries can change. Before you arrange the transit, confirm your chosen approved country is still on the DAFF list. Check the DAFF website regularly and ask for written confirmation from DAFF if you're unsure.

Can I reduce the 6 months to 3 or 4 months?

No. DAFF requires exactly 6 months minimum. There are no exceptions and no waivers.

What counts toward the 6 months?

The 6-month period starts when your pet enters the approved country. If your pet was already living there before you decided to move to Australia, that time counts. If your pet travels there for the first time after you've decided to move, the clock starts from the day your pet arrives.

Can I visit my pet during the 6 months?

Yes, and you should if you can. The 6-month rule is about where your pet lives, not about your contact. Just make sure your care arrangements remain solid and your pet's documentation doesn't get lost.

What if I choose a Group 1 country like New Zealand?

If you route your pet through New Zealand (a Group 1 country), the import process from New Zealand is much faster—only 4–6 weeks—but you still must wait the full 6 months before you can start that process. The 6-month wait applies regardless of the group.

Does my pet's breed matter for the 6-month rule?

The 6-month transit requirement applies to all cats and dogs. However, some dog breeds are banned outright (including dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier, and Presa Canario). If your dog is a banned breed, it cannot enter Australia, even via the transit route. Check whether your breed is banned before arranging transit to an approved country.

Can I split my pet's transit across two approved countries?

Yes. As long as your pet lives in an approved country (or countries) for 6 consecutive months total, the requirement is met. For example, 3 months in the UK plus 3 months in Germany would count, as long as the combined stay is at least 6 months.