The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed to implement the identity verification process for cats and dogs planning to be imported to Australia from the UK (including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
From 4 November 2024, importers from the UK will be able to have their pet’s identity verified by an official veterinarian who holds an OV66 authorisation.
With the implementation of the identity check, cats and dogs travelling from the UK to Australia that have had their identity verified and meet all other requirements will be eligible for a minimum 10-day quarantine period upon arrival in Australia. Previously, cats and dogs arriving in Australia from the UK were required to spend a minimum of 30 days in quarantine, unless they met the criteria for returning Australian dogs and cats.
Animals that have started preparation for travelling to Australia will not be eligible for a reduction in the quarantine period unless they restart preparations. Further information is below.
This agreement follows the strengthened import conditions for cats and dogs implemented by the department on 1 March 2023 following the rabies risk review.
The identity verification process must be conducted by two separate official veterinarians in the UK that hold the OV66 authorisation. Only official veterinarians with this OV66 authorisation can carry out the identity verification process.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a minimum 10-day quarantine period, the identity verification must occur prior to blood sampling for the rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT). The department cannot recognise OV66 identity checks that were completed after RNATT blood sample was collected. Given the 180-day waiting period following a valid RNATT, animals that are eligible for a minimum 10-day quarantine period will not arrive in Australia until May 2025 at the earliest.
If you wish to restart the pre-export preparations to have your pet’s identity verified under the new UK system, any RNATT done prior to the identity verification will become invalid. This means that the mandatory 180 day waiting period prior to export will restart from the date the new blood sample for the RNATT arrives at the testing laboratory.
The department will shortly contact all permit applicants and holders of unused permits directly to discuss these changes and work with you to find the best option to proceed depending on your individual circumstances.
If you wish to undertake the identity verification process to be eligible for the minimum 10-day quarantine period, you will need to contact the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) of the UK. They will provide you with further information on the process and help you to find an authorised OV66 veterinarian who can perform the identity verification.
Frequently asked questions
Purpose of the identity declaration – Why can’t my animal just switch from 30 days to 10 days in post arrival quarantine?
The identity verification process was implemented following the rabies risk review to reduce the increased biosecurity risk of importing live cats and dogs, following an increase in fraudulent activity overseas. The purpose of the identity declaration is for a government official to confirm the identity of a cat or dog (by their microchip number) prior to commencing any other pre-export preparations. This provides Australian biosecurity officials with confidence that your animal will not pose an unacceptable risk of bringing diseases like rabies to Australia.
The policy changes in 2023 included the following:
- A minimum 10-day quarantine period in an Australian government facility for cats and dogs that have had an identity verification, including scanning of the microchip, by the exporting country’s competent authority as part of the import permit application process. The identity verification must occur before a blood sample is collected for RNAT testing, and at least 180 days before export to Australia.
- All cats and dogs that have not had their identity verified prior to pre-export preparations, must complete a minimum 30-day quarantine period on arrival in Australia.
Permits that have already been granted for a minimum 30-day quarantine period cannot be changed to a 10-day permit without meeting the above requirements.
What is an Official Veterinarian and how do I find one?
In the United Kingdom, private practice veterinarians can be approved as Official Veterinarians (OVs). This is a specific qualification which allows a veterinarian to perform particular services on behalf of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
For cats and dogs being exported to Australia, the two stages of the identity check must be performed by two different OVs from different practices, and both must have OV66 authorisation. This is a specific authorisation which permits the approved veterinarian to certify cat and dog exports to Australia from the UK.
Not all OVs will automatically hold the necessary OV66 authorisation.
A list of approved OVs with OV66 authorisation is available from APHA. This list is not available through the DAFF in Australia.
Which OV66 can perform which tasks for my pre-export preparations?
Two separate OV66 authorised veterinarians from separate clinics must complete the identity verification process. This includes scanning the animals microchip number, taking a colour photograph of a legible microchip number on the scanner and any identifying features of the animal and completing the identity declaration template. These requirements are then sent to DAFF by each OV66 for assessment.
- The identity declaration form is not publicly available on our website. You will need to contact APHA to obtain this form and for any further information on the process specific to the UK.
The identity of the animal must be verified by the two OV66’s prior to the blood sample being collected for the RNATT. If the blood sample is collected prior to the second microchip scan, the RNATT becomes invalid and will need to be repeated.
- The OV66 that is completing the second scan may take blood samples for the RNATT on the same day.
- The OV66 that takes the blood sample for the RNATT cannot complete the RNATT declaration or endorse the veterinary health certificate.
Example scenario:
OV66 veterinarian Dr. Linda (Green Grass Veterinary Clinic) and OV66 veterinarian Dr. Tony (Bright Side Animal Hospital) are assisting with pre-export preparations for a dog.
Dr. Linda may complete the first scan for the identity declaration. Dr. Tony may complete the second scan and draw bloods for the RNATT sample on the same day. Dr. Linda may complete the RNATT declaration and endorse the veterinary health certificate five days prior to export.
My animal originates from Australia. Do I need to complete an identity declaration in the UK?
Animals originating from Australia may be eligible for the minimum 10-day PEQ period if a copy of the Australian export health certificate is provided when you apply for your import permit. A copy of this certificate is sufficient evidence that your animal was identified by a government official when being exported from Australia. The export certificate is considered equivalent to an identity declaration, and therefore it is not necessary to complete an identity declaration. Further information regarding the requirements for returning Australian cats and dogs is on our website.
What is the process for a UK identity declaration?
The identity verification process must be conducted by two separate official veterinarians in the UK that hold the OV66 authorisation. Only official veterinarians with this OV66 authorisation are permitted to carry out the identity verification process. The official veterinarians must be from separate veterinary practices.
Each of the two official veterinarians will send a completed identity declaration directly to the department from their registered email address. A clear, coloured photograph of a legible microchip number on the scanner and any identifying features of the animal must accompany the declaration in the email. The department will assess the documentation and images provided and will collate the final declaration to include in assessment of the import permit application. The department will only accept the declaration and photograph directly from OV66 authorised veterinarians through official channels.
Why can’t I use my current RNATT if I choose to complete an identity declaration?
If you already hold a valid RNATT but wish to qualify for a minimum 10-day quarantine period, you will be required to repeat the RNATT after the two identity declarations are completed.
To be eligible for a minimum quarantine period of 10-days, the identity declaration must be completed before any other pre-export preparations, including the RNATT. This ensures the animal’s identity is verified by an official veterinarian, and the microchip is matched to that animal prior to any samples being taken.
Any RNATT done prior to the identity verification will become invalid. This means that the mandatory 180 day waiting period prior to export will restart from the date the new blood sample for the RNATT arrives at the testing laboratory.
What if I have already applied for an import permit but it has not yet been granted?
The department will contact you directly to give you the option to proceed with your permit application as is, giving you a 30-day minimum quarantine period (with no identity declaration) or to restart the process to complete an identity declaration and a new RNATT, which will give you eligibility for a minimum 10-day quarantine period.
You will be required to respond to the request for information within 30 days that the request is sent to advise how you wish to proceed with your application. If no response is received within 30-days of the request, the permit application will be assessed with the current information and documentation available to the assessing officer.
What is the process to get 10-day quarantine if my permit has already been granted and I have commenced the 180-day waiting period following a valid RNATT?
If you hold a valid import permit that has been granted for a minimum 30-day quarantine period, your dog or cat will not be eligible for a minimum 10-day quarantine period unless specific requirements are met.
To be eligible for a minimum 10-day quarantine period, pre-export preparations must be restarted. An identity declaration must be completed first, and a new RNATT is required to be completed after this. The RNATT you currently hold will be considered invalid because it was not completed prior to the identity declaration. Once you have received a new RNATT, you may apply for an import permit variation.
How do I apply for a variation to my granted import permit?
To make a change to a finalised import permit, you will need to log into your BICON account and submit a permit variation request.
Please refer to the BICON help card: How do I vary my import permit?
If you have any further questions please contact the department using the ‘Contact Us’ tab in BICON, sending an email to imports@aff.gov.au or by calling 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1).
Do I still have to pay for the extra 20 days of quarantine if I already have a permit granted for 30 days but don’t wish to restart the process?
If you hold a valid import permit for a quarantine period of 30-days and choose to proceed with this permit and quarantine period, you will be required to pay the full fee of 30-day quarantine to cover the cost of daily husbandry, food, etc.