19 February 2021
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is for all airlines, freight forwarders, pet transport companies and importers of cats and dogs to Australia.
What has changed?
The waiting period for cat and dog reservations at the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham has been reduced.
The PEQ is continuing to process many bookings from owners wanting to bring their pets’ home to Australia. The PEQ is facilitating the import of pets, while managing the health of staff, the welfare of the animals in our care, and adhering to the COVID safe plan as required by the Victorian Government.
In late 2020, the PEQ was receiving a high number of booking requests for earlier reservations dates and introduced a client ‘wait’ list to manage these requests. Clients requesting earlier bookings were being offered a place on a ‘wait’ list for the next available reservation date.
During January and February 2021, the PEQ has worked to increase booking availability over the next few months and subsequently reduce the reservation waiting periods.
The current COVID-19 pandemic does not change the existing risks posed by diseases of biosecurity concern to Australia or the need for cats and dogs to meet the import permit conditions in full.
Australia has strict conditions designed to manage the biosecurity risks associated with importing companion animals. All animals must undergo a minimum 10-day quarantine period at the PEQ in Mickleham, a state-of-the-art facility designed to manage biosecurity risks and ensure the welfare of the animals.
Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS) cat and dog reservations - 2021
The PEQ has now completed the review of the client ‘wait’ list and granted earlier arrival dates to those clients that had requested to be placed on the list. Clients on the wait list should have received a confirmation email. If the date is unsuitable, please contact the PEQ at PEQservices@awe.gov.au
The department is continuing to work closely with international airlines and pet transport agents to facilitate the export of pets from countries significantly impacted by COVID-19. The PEQ accepted direct charter flights of large volume companion animal imports during 2020, and several charter flights are scheduled to arrive in 2021.
Pet owners and agents are advised to make flight arrangements and PEQ reservations as soon as their import permit is approved.
Pet owners and agents must secure a flight into Melbourne International Airport and are advised to confirm the flight arrival date and the PEQ reservation date before the animal is exported to Australia. Please email PEQservices@awe.gov.au if you wish to amend a PEQ reservation due to flight disruptions.
PEQ cat and dog collection
Pet owners and agents are advised to check state or territory government websites for interstate travel movement restrictions prior to collecting their animals from the PEQ or to engage the services of pet transport companies to collect or fly their animal’s interstate.
Animals can be collected upon release from the PEQ during COVID lockdown in Victoria.
It is advised that pet importers or agents bring along a copy of the PEQ animal release appointment email and appropriate photo identification as proof that their animals require collection from the PEQ.
Further information
Importers are encouraged to check our website regularly or subscribe to our mailing list for up to date information.
Contact information
If you require further information, please call 1800 900 090 or email PEQservices@awe.gov.au