Group 1: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

• Cats must have been continuously resident in an approved rabies free country (group 1 or group 2) since birth or direct import from Australia, or for a minimum of 180 days immediately before export if the cat has been imported into Cocos Island from any other country.
• Cats must not be under quarantine restrictions at the time of export.
• Cats must not be more than 40 days pregnant nor be suckling young at the time of export.
• Cats must be at least eight (8) weeks old at the time of export.

Cat breeds

• In accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, domestic/non domestic animal hybrids are not eligible for import. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:
  • Savannah cat, domestic cat (Felis catus) crossed with serval cat (Felis serval)
  • Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi)
  • Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat (Felis chaus)
  • Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

Note – in certain circumstances, the department may permit the import of Bengal cats that are five generations or more removed from their wild ancestor. If you plan to import a Bengal cat, please contact the department’s Environmental Biosecurity Office to confirm your cat satisfies the requirements before you apply for an import permit.

• Cats must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader.
• If the microchip cannot be read or is recorded incorrectly in the cat's documentation, the cat cannot be imported to Australia.
• 9 digits microchip numbers are not acceptable as they are not ISO compatible or ISO compliant.
• Microchip numbers starting with 999 are not acceptable because they are not unique.

• Submit your import permit application, full payment and all supporting documentation online through our Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON).
• Supporting documentation (original documents are not required) may include a completed veterinary medical form or letter from your veterinarian detailing any ongoing medical conditions.
• Additional charges may apply if information is missing, incorrect or if an application is put on hold.
• Import permits are valid for up to twelve (12) months from the date of issue.

Cats must be given a topical external parasite treatment that kills ticks and fleas on contact within 5 days before the date of export.

Further information on acceptable treatment products.

Cats must be given an internal parasite treatment effective against nematodes and cestodes within 5 days before the date of export.

The cat must be examined and found to be free from ticks and fleas, and clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease within 5 days before the date of export.

• A valid import permit, with a completed animal health certificate must accompany the cat on arrival in Australia.
• The animal health certificate is Appendix 1 of your import permit.
• We recommend that you keep a copy of every document.

• Cats may travel by sea or air but must travel directly to Australia.
• No cats except those for import to Australia may be carried on the voyage/flight without prior approval by the department.
• If travelling by air, cats must travel as manifested cargo (not in the cabin) in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved crate for cats.
• The department accepts no responsibility for cats that escape en route.
• All transport costs are at the importer’s expense.

• All import conditions must be met.
• The animal health certificate and any other relevant documentation must travel to Australia with the cat.
• Notify the department at least three (3) days before the cat arrives by emailing the regional office in the state/territory in which the cat will first arrive in Australia.

  Regional Office	Email
  Australian Capital Territory	ACT Rego Office
  New South Wales	CER Animal Imports
  Victoria	SE Animal and VIC Controller
  Queensland	QLD Live Animal Imports
  South Australia	SA Live Animal Imports
  Western Australia	WA Live Animal Imports
  Northern Territory	NT Live Animal Imports and NT Airport Controller

  General inquiry: 1800 900 090 or + 61 3 8318 6700 (from outside Australia)

  For more office locations visit: Office locations

• Your email must include:
  • the date and estimated time of arrival
  • the flight number
  • the air waybill number
  • a short description of the cat
  • a contact phone number
  • the address at which the cat will stay in Australia
  • a copy of the import permit.
• Cats must be cleared at the first port of arrival in Australia.
• Allow at least 1 hour for the cat to be released by airline cargo and cleared by the department. Connecting flights must not leave within one hour of the cat arriving in Australia.
• If your cat is to connect with a domestic flight you will have to arrange for it to be moved from the international to the domestic terminal. Animal transport agents/pet shippers can help you with this. The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association website has a list of pet shippers.
• You will be charged for the time taken to assess the documentation that accompanies your animal to Australia. Details of the department’s fees can be found in the charging guidelines.
• Please contact the relevant state/territory office to determine the fees for clearing your cat. Fees are usually collected by the airline carrying the cat. The payment should appear on the air waybill. The department then invoices the airline to recover the fees. If the air waybill has not incorporated these fees the department will require payment before releasing the cat.
• Fees are usually collected by the airline carrying the cat. The payment should appear on the air waybill. The department then invoices the airline to recover the fees. If the air waybill has not incorporated these fees the department will require payment before releasing the cat.

• A biosecurity officer will check the cat to verify all details match the import certification.
• If acceptable, the animal will be released from biosecurity control. If not, additional documents may be requested and/or the animal may be subject to treatment, export or euthanasia.