Cost of Bringing a Pet to Australia (2026)

Mickleham quarantine fees

Every dog or cat from a Group 2 or Group 3 country must spend a minimum of 10 days at the Mickleham post-entry quarantine facility in Victoria (Melbourne). This is non-negotiable and is where most of the government cost sits.

As published by DAFF in September 2026, the set fees for a 10-day stay total $1,974: a reservation charge of $282, an importation charge of $1,132, and 10 days of quarantine accommodation at $56 a day ($560). A 30-day stay costs more because accommodation is charged per day ($1,680 for 30 days rather than $560). Extra parasite treatments, veterinary care, an extended stay, or an out-of-hours collection all add further fees on top of these set charges. DAFF reviews these fees annually and they are subject to change, so confirm the current fee schedule on the DAFF website before you budget.

Import permit costs

Before your pet even flies, you need a BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions) import permit from DAFF. As published by DAFF in September 2026, the fee is $626 for the first cat or dog in a consignment ($135 lodgement plus $491 assessment) and $299 for each additional animal in the same consignment. Extra fees apply if your application is incomplete, contains errors, or needs a variation. Most permits are issued within 20–40 business days, though DAFF states it can take up to 123 business days, which is why starting early — at least 6 months before your intended travel date — is essential.

Veterinary and testing costs

On top of government fees, your veterinarian will charge for several mandatory procedures, priced individually by each clinic rather than set by DAFF:

• ISO microchip implant
• Rabies vaccination
• RNATT blood test (rabies neutralising antibody titre). This is the blood test that unlocks the 180-day waiting period. If it fails, you must revaccinate and test again, adding cost and time.
• Pre-export health checks and treatments — parasites, external treatments, and the government-endorsed health certificate.

Because vet fees vary by clinic and by country, there is no single published figure to quote. Ask your vet for a written estimate early, covering every procedure your pet's Group 2 or Group 3 pathway requires, so there are no surprises.

Travel crate and flights

An IATA-compliant travel crate suitable for international air transport is priced by the crate manufacturer or retailer and varies by size. International pet flights are priced by the airline or its pet-transport partner and vary by route, season, and whether your pet travels as checked baggage or through a dedicated pet-cargo service — get a current quote from your airline or IATA-registered pet shipper rather than budgeting from a general figure.

Professional pet-transport services

Many people hire a professional pet-transport company to handle logistics, crate arrangements, airport coordination, and quarantine bookings. These services are priced individually by each company and the fee is on top of the government and vet fees above. Using one is optional but reduces stress and the risk of missed deadlines. Get quotes from a couple of IATA-registered pet relocation companies if you're considering this route.

Total cost estimate

Two figures in this process are fixed and published by DAFF: quarantine at $1,974 for a 10-day stay, and the import permit at $626 for the first animal. Everything else — vet fees, the travel crate, flights, and any professional pet-transport service — is priced individually by the provider you use, so there is no single reliable total to quote. Adding the two DAFF fees together gives a floor of roughly $2,600 before any veterinary work, crate, or travel cost is added, and the full total commonly reaches several thousand dollars, potentially exceeding $10,000 for long-haul moves, especially if complications arise (failed rabies test = revaccination + retest + longer quarantine; delayed permits; additional vet treatments).

When costs might be lower

If you're moving from New Zealand, Norfolk Island, or Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Group 1 countries), the costs are significantly lower. Group 1 pets don't require quarantine or rabies testing, so you skip the Mickleham quarantine fee and the RNATT test cost entirely. Government fees are much smaller. If you're moving from a Group 2 rabies-free country (Japan, Singapore, Mauritius, and a few small territories), you still need quarantine but skip the RNATT test, reducing vet costs.

Things not to cut

Never try to save money by skipping steps or falsifying records. DAFF biosecurity is strict because Australia is rabies-free. Every animal must complete the full process. Attempting to bypass quarantine or submitting false health certificates is a criminal offence and will result in your pet being denied entry, quarantined for much longer, or (in worst-case scenarios) returned or euthanised.

Verify current fees before you move

Quarantine fees, permit costs, and biosecurity requirements change. Before booking your move, visit the DAFF website and confirm all current charges and timelines. Call Mickleham directly to check quarantine availability for your intended arrival date—places can fill up, especially during peak immigration seasons.

What is the cheapest way to bring a pet to Australia?

The cheapest path is from a Group 1 country (New Zealand, Norfolk Island, or Cocos Islands), which avoids quarantine and rabies testing altogether. From any other approved country, you cannot significantly reduce costs without breaking biosecurity law. Start early, plan at least 6–7 months ahead, and budget for the full process.

Can I bring my pet from a non-approved country?

No. If your country is not on DAFF's approved list, your pet cannot enter Australia directly. The only option is to move your pet to an approved country, have it live there for 6 months, complete all the steps from that country, and then travel to Australia. This adds time and cost.

Is the $1,974 quarantine fee the full cost?

The $1,974 (as published by DAFF in September 2026) covers the set fees for the 10-day minimum stay at Mickleham. If your pet requires additional health checks, treatment, or stays longer than 10 days, costs rise — a 30-day stay, for example, has a higher daily accommodation charge because it's billed per day. Always confirm the current fee schedule with DAFF based on your pet's expected arrival and health status.

Do I have to use a professional pet-transport company?

No, it's optional. You can arrange everything yourself—microchip, vaccinations, permits, flights, quarantine booking. Many people do. A professional company adds its own fee on top of the government and vet costs, but saves you time and reduces the risk of missing deadlines or making costly mistakes. Get quotes from a couple of companies if you're considering this route.

What happens if my rabies test fails?

If the RNATT blood test fails, your pet is not yet clear to enter Australia. You must revaccinate against rabies and wait another 180 days from the new test date. This adds months to your timeline and costs for vaccination and testing again. Your vet will advise you on next steps.

Can I ship my pet to Australia without quarantine?

No. Every dog or cat from a Group 2 or Group 3 country must complete the full 10-day quarantine at Mickleham. Group 1 (NZ etc.) is exempt. There are no exceptions, and attempting to bypass quarantine is a criminal offence.