Australia, we love you and your platypus and koalas; great barrier reef and outback; Sydney Opera House, and laid-back ways. But sometimes, you are also difficult to love. Especially when it comes to moving your pet to Australia.
Getting your pets into Australia was already very challenging and time-consuming. Starting March 1st, 2023, it got a lot harder.
A Few Rotten Eggs Ruined It For Everyone
There have been a handful of changes in the works for a while now by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). But why? Because a few people ruined it for everyone. Cases of rabies have made their way into Australia under the radar via some undesirable breeders and such. Thank you, jerks.
The official word from DAFF is that the requirements have been changed to “effectively manage the risks associated with the rabies virus.”
In short, this will happen through:
- Strengthening animal identification (microchip)
- Proof of continuous residency
- Post-entry quarantine measures (adding days)
- Recognizing an adequate rabies neutralizing titer test (RNATT) laboratory report for no longer than 12 months.
Don’t worry, AE Pets has your back. However, be warned…
Now It Gets Complicated
Bear with us, there are a lot of ifs ahead.
If your import permit is currently being evaluated by DAFF or you have already received your import permit, and your arrival date is after March 1st, 2023 you will likely have to abide by these new rules.
How do you find out?
DAFF is reaching out to permit holders individually to advise on the status of their pet’s individual requirements. You can also try calling them at this number: 1/800-900-090 or email them here to ask.
Changes to Titer Tests
Remember that titer test you had done for Rocky and Bella that was good for two years? Now, it is only good for one year. If you won’t cross the finish line by that one-year mark, your furry friend must get another one. Additionally, if you get the second titer done before that year is up, you will not have to wait another 180 days to travel to Australia. You can essentially just continue with your current timeline–as long as there is no break in the vaccine after year one.
However, for Rocky and Bella to only quarantine 10ish days (as is currently the situation), DAFF now requires that the first microchip (microchip must be ISO compatible – meaning it has 15 digits) scan must be observed by a “competent authority” – a USDA Government Veterinary Medical Officer, not your USDA accredited Vet. Check to see if your veterinarian is accredited here.
Based on these updates, here are the current steps needed for relocating your pet to Australia.
STEP 1 – Identify Verification
DAFF requires that a “Competent Authority” (USDA Government Veterinary Medical Officer) observation of the microchip scan be done remotely.
Bring your cat and dog into a USDA-accredited Veterinarian’s office for their microchip scan. An Identification Declaration will be completed by this Veterinarian. If the application is completed as specified, your pet may be eligible for a 10-day post-entry quarantine (PEQ) period; if not completed, they will require at least a 30-day PEQ period.
*Hawaii and Guam also require this step.
*Your veterinarian will take a color photo of your pet(s) and the microchip scanner showing the microchip number. These photos and the declaration will be uploaded to the USDA’s portal. Once this process is completed, your veterinarian will give you or your exporter a tracking number or an endorsed certificate number.
After the above is completed, you must now go to ANOTHER USDA accredited Veterinarian and repeat the identification process. You will receive another tracking number or endorsed certificate number.
(The USDA states that “Australia prefers that the two accredited veterinarians work at different clinics. However, if this is not possible, it is acceptable for the two accredited veterinarians to work at the same clinic. Additional verification may be required by Australia.”)
If you are not able to have the “Competent Authority” observe the Microchip scan, your pet will not be eligible for the 10-day quarantine. They will automatically be required to quarantine for 30 days.
Once the USDA approves the identity check, everyone can move on – YAY!
The Titer (RNATT)
Now schedule an appointment with your USDA-accredited Veterinarian to have the Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) done.
Your Vet will send the blood for testing to one of the two approved US laboratories. The clock starts ticking on the day of the blood draw. It is two-fold:
1. Your pet can only be exported to Australia after 180 days from the date the blood sample (RNATT) arrives at the testing laboratory.
2. Your pet will need to arrive in Australia within 12 months from the day of the blood draw.
It takes around thirty days for the results to come back.
STEP 2 – The Declaration:
When the results are back, time to apply to another declaration.
What is the declaration?
It is a document that is submitted by your veterinarian to the USDA APHIS office. It details your dog or cat’s personal information, your veterinarian’s credentials, the testing laboratory’s information, and most importantly, the titer results.
If everything is kosher, the USDA will stamp this document and return the original to you or your vet, as well as an electronic one. Do not lose the original, and do not leave the country with it. It must, must, must travel with your pet.
STEP 3 – Import Permit:
With the Declaration in hand, you or your Pet Transportation company will apply for the import permit. This must happen at least 42 days before departure (don’t wait this long!). The import permit can take up to 123 days to be approved (historically, it has taken 30 days, but these are new times)!
STEP 4 – Quarantine:
The quarantine can be booked once the import permit is approved. Reminder: Depending on if you were able to have a Government Veterinary Medical Officer scan Fido’s microchip or not before the titer test blood draw will determine the number of days required for quarantine (10 vs. 30). As of this writing, the additional 20 days of quarantine will run you approximately an extra $580.00 USD.
Vetting Treatments:
The treatments are a little different for dogs and cats. For more information, visit our Australia page to get an idea of what needs to happen during this time.
The treatments/testing/vet visits start once the permit is approved, and the arrival date is confirmed. A timeline will be created by your pet transport company.
It is important that your veterinarian and pet transport company work closely with you to meet all the milestones in this timeline. There is little room for error at this point.
The last vet appointment must happen within 5 days of the International Departure. Bella’s health certificate is issued electronically and will have to accompany all the original documents that she acquired during the previous 12 months.
To Sum it up
These are the things that need to follow your furry family to Australia:
- Identity Declaration (if this option was chosen – 10 days vs. 30 days quarantine)
- RNATT Declaration
- Reports
- Export Health Certificate
Travel and Quarantine
Pets can only fly out of a few US airports for their journey to Australia. AE Pets primarily flies out of the west coast. Smaller animals can easily fly domestically to California and then onward on Qantas. Large dogs typically travel by ground for the first leg of this journey. On arrival in Australia, pets are met at the airport and transported directly to the quarantine facility.
Melbourne is the only animal quarantine facility that exists in Australia, and the port-of-entry for live animals is Melbourne Airport (MEL). Once Rocky and Bella arrive to the Mickleham Post-Entry Quarantine Facility they undergo a veterinary exam.
During their stay (10 to 30 days), they are monitored for signs of illness and given care if required. There is regular exercise, and they are fed according to the directions that you have sent. This can be a stressful time for pets. It is important that you try to prepare them for their time there. Send instructions about their routine, behavior, and any special needs. Unfortunately, bedding, soft toys etc. are destroyed on arrival. Bedding is provided by the facility.
For those that are staying ten days, no visitors are allowed. However, you can drop off food if there is a special diet that the facility cannot accommodate. If your pet is there for more than ten days, you can request visitation. Other special needs must be submitted in advance of travel via a “special care animal declaration,” which can be found on Australia’s quarantine website page. It looks like this.
Have more questions? We’d be happy to answer them.