BRINGING A CAT FROMNew Zealand to Australia
Cat · Moving
Bringing a dog instead?No quarantine. Needs residence period, minimum age, condition of the animal, microchip, parasite treatment, health certificate, owner's declaration, advance notice to the authority, transport rules, port of entry and arrival inspection.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Entry requirements
No import permit, no quarantine. Health certificate from an MPI-listed vet (or MPI official vet) and parasite treatments within 5 days before export, manifested air cargo or a direct vessel, notify DAFF 3 days ahead.
Eligible if the pet has only lived in New Zealand since birth, or since it was imported from Australia, or — if it has ever lived elsewhere — only in New Zealand for at least 180 days immediately before export. The 180 days is a residence period, not quarantine.
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Eligible if the pet has only lived in New Zealand since birth, or since it was imported from Australia, or — if it has ever lived elsewhere — only in New Zealand for at least 180 days immediately before export. The 180 days is a residence period, not quarantine.
- · the pet has ever lived in a country other than Australia or New Zealand
At least 8 weeks old at export.
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At least 8 weeks old at export.
Not more than 40 days pregnant, not nursing, not under quarantine restrictions at export.
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Not more than 40 days pregnant, not nursing, not under quarantine restrictions at export.
ISO-compliant microchip (usually 10 or 15 digits; numbers starting 999 are refused), scanned at every vet visit and recorded on all documents. A chip that cannot be read or does not match the papers means the pet cannot be imported.
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ISO-compliant microchip (usually 10 or 15 digits; numbers starting 999 are refused), scanned at every vet visit and recorded on all documents. A chip that cannot be read or does not match the papers means the pet cannot be imported.
External parasites: a topical product that kills ticks and fleas on contact, applied by an MPI-listed vet within 5 days before export (oral products generally do not qualify).
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External parasites: a topical product that kills ticks and fleas on contact, applied by an MPI-listed vet within 5 days before export (oral products generally do not qualify).
Internal parasites (nematodes and cestodes) treated by an MPI-listed vet within 5 days before export.
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Internal parasites (nematodes and cestodes) treated by an MPI-listed vet within 5 days before export.
Veterinary health certificate agreed between DAFF and NZ MPI — either AUPET9 (issued by a vet at an MPI-listed practice) or the official-assurance AUPETOA9 (issued by an MPI official vet; needed if the pet does not meet all AUPET9 criteria). Clinical examination within 5 days before export. Original travels with the pet.
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Veterinary health certificate agreed between DAFF and NZ MPI — either AUPET9 (issued by a vet at an MPI-listed practice) or the official-assurance AUPETOA9 (issued by an MPI official vet; needed if the pet does not meet all AUPET9 criteria). Clinical examination within 5 days before export. Original travels with the pet.
For AUPET9, the exporter declares on the certificate the pet's details, residence, that it is not a hybrid or banned breed, pregnancy status and any time in mainland Africa. If the exporter is not the owner (e.g. a pet transport agent), the owner also makes a statutory declaration witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.
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For AUPET9, the exporter declares on the certificate the pet's details, residence, that it is not a hybrid or banned breed, pregnancy status and any time in mainland Africa. If the exporter is not the owner (e.g. a pet transport agent), the owner also makes a statutory declaration witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.
E-mail the DAFF regional office of the first arrival state at least 3 days before arrival (date/time, flight and air waybill number, description of the pet, phone number, assistance-dog status). By sea, the vessel master notifies.
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E-mail the DAFF regional office of the first arrival state at least 3 days before arrival (date/time, flight and air waybill number, description of the pet, phone number, assistance-dog status). By sea, the vessel master notifies.
By air as manifested cargo (not in the cabin) in an IATA-approved crate; or directly by vessel (no cargo requirement, but must arrive at a first point of entry for live cats and dogs).
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By air as manifested cargo (not in the cabin) in an IATA-approved crate; or directly by vessel (no cargo requirement, but must arrive at a first point of entry for live cats and dogs).
Direct from New Zealand to mainland Australia; cleared at the first point of entry (any, not only Melbourne). Leave at least 1 hour before a domestic connection.
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Direct from New Zealand to mainland Australia; cleared at the first point of entry (any, not only Melbourne). Leave at least 1 hour before a domestic connection.
A biosecurity officer checks the pet against the documents. DAFF charges for the document assessment; the fee is usually prepaid via the airline and shown on the air waybill, otherwise paid before release (amount set by the regional office).
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A biosecurity officer checks the pet against the documents. DAFF charges for the document assessment; the fee is usually prepaid via the airline and shown on the air waybill, otherwise paid before release (amount set by the regional office).
- Legal basis — cats and dogs from New Zealand need no import permit if accompanied by a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian not more than 5 days before the animal left New Zealand. — Federal Register of Legislation
- Typical timeline per DAFF — about 1 month if the pet has only lived in Australia or New Zealand. — Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
- Preparation time 4 weeks follows DAFF's 'about 1 month'; a pet that has lived outside Australia/NZ needs 180 days in NZ first (6–7 months per DAFF).
No quarantine
Timeline
Working out your dates…
Documents
One paper per requirement above; carry originals. 0 of 6 ready.
Official fees
The official pages we researched for this route name no fee. Vet, lab and airline charges are not covered here.
Entry points
Where a pet may enter Australia, per the rules.
- Any point of entry.List as of 2026-09-24Pets from New Zealand, Norfolk Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are cleared at any first point of entry (air or sea) — see those rules. By sea, the port must be a first point of entry for live cats and dogs.
Breed bans
Add the breed to your link (Edit route) and the checklist refuses a banned type.
- IMPORT BANSavannah cat (any serval ancestry) — and crosses
- IMPORT BANSafari cat, Chausie, Bengal cat, other domestic × wild cat hybrids — and crossesOfficial sources differ on when the Bengal ban started — DAFF guides say 1 March 2026; the DCCEEW news release (Dec 2024) says 1 March 2025 and ended the "5 generations" exemption. Either way Bengal cats cannot be imported now.DAFF's wording of the Bengal change.The New Zealand guide still says Bengal cats are banned 'except in some cases' in its list, next to the same 'no longer permitted' notice — treat Bengals as banned.
Airlines
Airline rules are separate from entry rules and change without notice — confirm in writing when you book. Only what the carriers' own pages say, read 25 Sep 2026. All airlines
- Lufthansa LHCabinYesHoldYesSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- Emirates EKCabinNoHoldYesSnub-nosedCargo: only Nov – Apr
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 45 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: not 1 May – 31 Oct
- Qantas QFCabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedNot stated
- CabinYesHoldNoSnub-nosedHold, cargo: no
- KLM KLCabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no
- Air France AFCabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedCargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: restricted
Announced changes
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDDAFF is reforming the import pathway for assistance animals to include cats (no date given).
Return trip to New Zealand
Moderate for a returning pet (no separate returning-resident rule; standard import rules apply), about 3 weeks of preparation. No quarantine when the paperwork is in order.
- Advance notice to the authority — 5+ working days before arrival: Notify MPI at least 5 working days before the scheduled arrival with the "Application for Veterinary Inspection — Cats and Dogs from Australia" form, by e-mail (australia.dogsandcats@mpi.govt.nz per the IHS).
Source:Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) (opens official site: Step-by-step guide to bringing cats and dogs to NZ (2026 process))· checked 26 Sep 2026+1 more
Full checklist for a cat from Australia to New Zealand
Leaving Australia with the pet
- A pet leaving Australia loses its Australian health status immediately; plan the return before departure.
- To keep a quick return possible from Group 3 or non-approved countries, vaccinate against rabies and do an RNATT at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP, ≥0.5 IU/ml) before leaving, then keep both valid overseas.
- Short trips (under 45 days) may qualify for adjusted "short-stay" conditions — say so in the permit application.
- Australian export requirements (export certificate, DAFF export permit) were not researched.
Questions about Australia
Answered in plain words from the authorities' own pages, each linked to its source.
01How much does it cost to bring a cat or dog to Australia?
The department estimates about AUD 3,114 for one cat or dog that spends the minimum 10 days in quarantine. For one that spends the minimum 30 days, the estimate is AUD 4,234.
02How long will my pet have to stay in quarantine in Australia?
Every cat and dog spends at least 10 - 30 days, and up to 180 days, at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility in Melbourne. The stay can be longer if problems come up that raise the biosecurity risk.
03Can my cat or dog fly to Australia in the cabin with me?
No. Cats and dogs have to fly to Australia as manifest cargo, which means the animal can be traced.
04Which Australian airport does my pet have to arrive at?
Your pet has to fly directly into Melbourne International Airport, where the department takes it to the quarantine facility. It cannot land at a different Australian airport and then continue to Melbourne on a domestic flight.
05Can I bring a Bengal, Savannah or other hybrid cat to Australia?
No. Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, cats that are crosses between domestic and wild cats are banned. This includes Savannah, Safari, Chausie and Bengal cats. When you apply for the permit, you must give your cat's breed and sign a declaration that it is not an ineligible breed.
06How early should I start preparing my pet for the move to Australia?
The department recommends starting at least 7 months before export if you are exporting from a category 3 country. From a category 2 country, where no rabies preparations are needed, it recommends starting at least 6 months ahead.
07What kind of microchip does my pet need for Australia?
The microchip must be readable by an ISO compatible reader, and its number should be 10 or 15 digits long. Chip numbers that start with 999 are not accepted, and neither are 9-digit AVID chips.
08Can I bring my pet to Australia from a country that isn't on the approved list?
Possibly. Your pet must first live without a break in an approved Group 1, 2 or 3 country for 180 days or more right before export. It must also fully meet all other import conditions for that approved country.
09What does my pet need to qualify for the shortest (10-day) quarantine?
To qualify for the minimum 10-day quarantine, the competent authority of the export country must check your pet's identity before blood is drawn for the RNAT (rabies antibody) test.
10Which flea and tick treatments are accepted for Australia?
The product has to kill fleas and ticks on contact. Tablets like NexGard or Bravecto don't count, because they only work after the parasite has bitten. Tick collars are also refused, because they can come off and some weather makes them less effective.
11My pet is returning to Australia — can it skip the 180-day waiting period?
An exemption may be considered in only one case. The pet must have had an RNATT result of 0.5IU/ml or higher before it left Australia. It must also be coming back from an approved country within 12 months of that test's blood sample date. No other circumstances qualify.
What they actually checked at the border
Reports from people who made this trip, read by a person before publishing.
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Share your tripSources
Every requirement above comes from one of these pages. Last researched 25 Sep 2026. Seen a change? Tell us.
- How to bring your cat or dog to Australia from New Zealand (Group 1 country) (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: residence period, minimum age, condition of the animal, microchip, parasite treatment, health certificate, owner's declaration, advance notice to the authority, transport rules, port of entry, arrival inspection, quarantine, notes, entry points, this route · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-06-26
- Glossary of terms for import of cats and dogs to Australia (Group 1/2/3 lists, definitions) (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: which origins the rule covers, this route · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-07-22
- Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021, ss 5, 11, 12, 14 (opens official site)Federal Register of Legislation · used for: notes, this route · checked 24 Sep 2026 · document dated 2022-09-07
- List of Specimens taken to be Suitable for Live Import (EPBC Act s 303EB), Part 1 — domestic dog and cat (opens official site)Federal Register of Legislation (instrument prepared by DCCEEW) · used for: breed bans · checked 24 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-01-28
- How to bring your cat or dog to Australia from Norfolk Island (Group 1 country) (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: breed bans · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-06-11
- Cats and dogs returning to Australia (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: announced changes, leaving with the pet · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-04-21
- Step-by-step guide to bringing cats and dogs to NZ (2026 process) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · used for: return trip · checked 26 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-07-01
- Import Health Standard — Cats and Dogs 2026 (CATSDOGS.GEN) (opens official site)Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) · used for: return trip · checked 26 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-05-12
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Checklists for nearby trips — same rules engine, same official sources.