BRINGING A CAT FROMUnited States to Australia
Cat · Moving
Bringing a dog instead?Quarantine: at least 30 days at a government quarantine station. Needs microchip, official microchip check, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody (titer) test, waiting period, official titer declaration, residence period, condition of the animal, import permit, quarantine booking, parasite treatment, health certificate, transport rules, port of entry and breed declaration.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Entry requirements · Group 3
Rabies vaccine, titer test and a 180-day wait from the lab's receipt of the sample; RNATT declaration; import permit; supervised parasite treatments; endorsed certificate; manifested cargo direct to Melbourne; at least 30 days quarantine (10 with an official identity check before the titer blood draw).
ISO-compliant microchip (numbers starting 999 refused), scanned at each visit and before any blood sample.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
ISO-compliant microchip (numbers starting 999 refused), scanned at each visit and before any blood sample.
Optional: official government vet verifies identity before (not at) the RNATT blood draw; cuts quarantine from at least 30 to at least 10 days.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Optional: official government vet verifies identity before (not at) the RNATT blood draw; cuts quarantine from at least 30 to at least 10 days.
not at the same vet visit as the RNATT blood draw
Approved rabies vaccine at 84 days of age or older, approved for cats in the export country, valid continuously from the RNATT to export; a lapse restarts vaccination, RNATT and the 180 days.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Approved rabies vaccine at 84 days of age or older, approved for cats in the export country, valid continuously from the RNATT to export; a lapse restarts vaccination, RNATT and the 180 days.
RNATT by FAVN or RFFIT, ≥0.5 IU/ml, sample taken by a government approved vet in an approved country between 12 months and 180 days before export; export at least 180 days after the sample arrives at the lab; valid 12 months from sampling.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
RNATT by FAVN or RFFIT, ≥0.5 IU/ml, sample taken by a government approved vet in an approved country between 12 months and 180 days before export; export at least 180 days after the sample arrives at the lab; valid 12 months from sampling.
blood sampling date; DAFF equates 12 months with 365 days
Export no earlier than 180 days after the RNATT blood sample arrives at the laboratory — no exceptions (a residency period, not quarantine). Counted from the lab's receipt date, not the sampling date.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Export no earlier than 180 days after the RNATT blood sample arrives at the laboratory — no exceptions (a residency period, not quarantine). Counted from the lab's receipt date, not the sampling date.
Country-specific RNATT declaration signed and stamped by an official government vet; needed for the permit.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Country-specific RNATT declaration signed and stamped by an official government vet; needed for the permit.
Continuously resident in approved countries for at least 180 days immediately before export.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Continuously resident in approved countries for at least 180 days immediately before export.
Not more than 30 days pregnant, not nursing kittens, not under quarantine restrictions.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Not more than 30 days pregnant, not nursing kittens, not under quarantine restrictions.
BICON permit applied for after the RNATT declaration, with the lab report and declaration; 20–40 business days typical, up to 123; valid until the RNATT expires.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
BICON permit applied for after the RNATT declaration, with the lab report and declaration; 20–40 business days typical, up to 123; valid until the RNATT expires.
Book Mickleham PEQ after the permit is granted; airline "OK to Forward" approval before departure.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Book Mickleham PEQ after the permit is granted; airline "OK to Forward" approval before departure.
External parasites: product killing ticks and fleas on contact, applied by a government approved vet starting at least 21 days before export and repeated per label until export.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
External parasites: product killing ticks and fleas on contact, applied by a government approved vet starting at least 21 days before export and repeated per label until export.
Internal parasites, first of two treatments — within 45 days before export, ≥14 days before the second.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Internal parasites, first of two treatments — within 45 days before export, ≥14 days before the second.
Internal parasites, second treatment within 5 days before export.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Internal parasites, second treatment within 5 days before export.
Clinical exam within 5 days before export; country-specific certificate endorsed on every page by an official government vet within 5 days before export, with the RNATT report; originals with wet-ink stamps travel with the cat, plus the permit and RNATT declaration.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Clinical exam within 5 days before export; country-specific certificate endorsed on every page by an official government vet within 5 days before export, with the RNATT report; originals with wet-ink stamps travel with the cat, plus the permit and RNATT declaration.
Manifested cargo in an IATA-approved crate; transhipment only in approved countries, airside and supervised.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Manifested cargo in an IATA-approved crate; transhipment only in approved countries, airside and supervised.
Directly into Melbourne International Airport (MEL); no domestic transfers.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Directly into Melbourne International Airport (MEL); no domestic transfers.
State the breed in the permit application and sign that the cat is not an ineligible breed.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
State the breed in the permit application and sign that the cat is not an ineligible breed.
- Cats must be released from quarantine in the crate they arrived in. — Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
- Feline enteritis, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus vaccines are recommended, not required.
- Returning Australian cats: the same exemptions as for dogs from Group 3 countries.
Entry requirements · Group 2
Applies only if your origin counts as “Only from Hawaii” — the official list does not name it explicitly.
Official identity check at least 180 days before export, import permit, supervised parasite treatments, endorsed certificate, manifested cargo direct to Melbourne and at least 10 days quarantine at Mickleham. No rabies vaccine, titer test or disease tests.
ISO-compatible microchip (numbers starting 999 and 9-digit AVID chips refused), scanned at every visit.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
ISO-compatible microchip (numbers starting 999 and 9-digit AVID chips refused), scanned at every visit.
Official government veterinarian verifies identity and sends the declaration directly to DAFF, before any other preparation; eligible 180 days later.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Official government veterinarian verifies identity and sends the declaration directly to DAFF, before any other preparation; eligible 180 days later.
Lived in a Group 1 or 2 country since birth, or since export directly from Australia, or at least 180 days since the identity check and immediately before export.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Lived in a Group 1 or 2 country since birth, or since export directly from Australia, or at least 180 days since the identity check and immediately before export.
Not more than 30 days pregnant, not nursing kittens, not under quarantine restrictions at export.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Not more than 30 days pregnant, not nursing kittens, not under quarantine restrictions at export.
BICON permit; 20–40 business days typical, up to 123; valid 12 months from grant; pay on submission.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
BICON permit; 20–40 business days typical, up to 123; valid 12 months from grant; pay on submission.
Book Mickleham PEQ after the permit is granted; airline "OK to Forward" approval before departure.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Book Mickleham PEQ after the permit is granted; airline "OK to Forward" approval before departure.
External parasites: product killing ticks and fleas on contact, applied by a government approved vet starting at least 21 days before export and repeated per label until export.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
External parasites: product killing ticks and fleas on contact, applied by a government approved vet starting at least 21 days before export and repeated per label until export.
Internal parasites, first of two treatments — within 45 days before export, at least 14 days before the second.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Internal parasites, first of two treatments — within 45 days before export, at least 14 days before the second.
Internal parasites, second treatment within 5 days before export.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Internal parasites, second treatment within 5 days before export.
Final clinical exam and country-specific certificate endorsed on every page by an official government vet within 5 days before export; crate seal issued and recorded. Original travels with the cat.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Final clinical exam and country-specific certificate endorsed on every page by an official government vet within 5 days before export; crate seal issued and recorded. Original travels with the cat.
Manifested cargo in a sealed IATA-standard crate; transhipment only in Group 1/2 countries or Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, London, Dubai, Hong Kong.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Manifested cargo in a sealed IATA-standard crate; transhipment only in Group 1/2 countries or Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, London, Dubai, Hong Kong.
Directly into Melbourne International Airport (MEL); no domestic transfers.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Directly into Melbourne International Airport (MEL); no domestic transfers.
State the cat's breed in the permit application and sign that it is not an ineligible breed.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
State the cat's breed in the permit application and sign that it is not an ineligible breed.
- Assistance cats — DAFF is reforming the assistance-animal pathway to include cats; meanwhile applications are considered case by case. — Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
- Feline enteritis, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus vaccines are recommended, not required.
Quarantine: at least 30 days at a government quarantine station
At least 10 days at a government quarantine station when an official government veterinarian verified the cat's identity before the RNATT blood sample, or the cat is of Australian origin with its identity on the Australian export certificate
Timeline
Working out your dates…
Documents
One paper per requirement above; carry originals. 0 of 11 ready.
Official fees
Fees the authorities publish for this route, in their own currency. Vet and airline charges are not included.
- import permit, first animal in consignment
- AUD 626 per consignment
- import permit, each additional animal
- AUD 299 per animal
- PEQ reservation charge (non-refundable)
- AUD 282 per animal
- PEQ importation charge (non-refundable)
- AUD 1,132 per animal
- PEQ 30-day accommodation (AUD 56 per day)
- AUD 1,680 per animal
- DAFF estimate, total government cost with 30 days quarantine
- AUD 4,234 per animal
Entry points
Where a pet may enter Australia, per the rules.
- Airports: MELList as of 2026-09-24Applies to Group 2 and Group 3 origins (post-entry quarantine at Mickleham is the only facility).Only Mickleham (Melbourne) offers post-entry quarantine for 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 United States
Easy for a returning pet (no separate returning-resident rule; standard import rules apply), no lead time. No quarantine.
Full checklist for a cat from Australia to United States
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.
No traveller reports here yet. If you have made this trip, tell the next person what was actually checked at the border.
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 to Australia from a Group 3 country (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: microchip, official microchip check, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody (titer) test, waiting period, official titer declaration, residence period, condition of the animal, import permit, parasite treatment, health certificate, transport rules, port of entry, quarantine, this route · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-02-20
- Pet Travel From the United States to Australia (exporting-country authority; corroboration only) (opens official site)U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) · used for: waiting period, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-07-27
- Cats and dogs frequently asked questions (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: quarantine booking, breed declaration, official fees, entry points, this route · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-07-01
- 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
- Import permits for cats and dogs coming to Australia (application, documents, fees, validity) (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: official fees, this route · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-07-01
- Fees and charges — post-entry quarantine for cats and dogs (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: official fees, this route · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-07-01
- Our facility — Post-Entry Quarantine Facility, Mickleham (booking, arrival windows, medication, release) (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: notes, this route, quarantine booking · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-08-31
- How to bring your cat to Australia from a Group 2 country (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: microchip, official microchip check, residence period, condition of the animal, import permit, parasite treatment, health certificate, transport rules, port of entry, quarantine, notes, this route · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-08-17
- 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
- Control of Communicable Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Importation of Dogs and Cats — final rule (89 FR 41726) (opens official site)HHS / CDC, Federal Register · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2024-05-13
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