11/04/2023
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is for all airlines, freight forwarders, pet transport companies, and exporters and importers of cats and dogs.
Export information
The department regulates the export of live animals, including cats, dogs and assistance dogs. There are specific regulatory requirements that must be followed to comply with export legislation, any relevant transport standards and importing country requirements.
Cats and dogs, including assistance dogs, exported from Australia require an export permit and health certificate. These are issued by a departmental veterinary officer when satisfied that the animal has been prepared in accordance with the importing country’s requirements and Australian export legislation.
The process for export includes;
- Export preparations undertaken by the client and/or pet transport company. This includes organising transport arrangements and considering the country/countries that the animal will transit or tranship through in relation to the importing country requirements. Additional preparations, including testing, may be required for Australian-origin animals transiting or transhipping through certain countries
- Relevant testing, treatments, examinations and supporting documentation completed by a registered veterinarian engaged by the client/pet transport company
- Certain airlines restrict breeds that they will transport. You can find this information on the airline’s website. Restricted breeds may include brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats
- An appropriate container or crate for the journey must be used to transport the animal and for air consignments must meet International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. It must be inspected and confirmed suitable by the registered veterinarian involved in the export process. Some countries may require an official seal to be applied to the transport container or crate. The department will provide the official seal when required
- A pre-export appointment with the relevant regional office for the departmental veterinary officer to issue the export permit and health certificate, where satisfied that the animal has been prepared appropriately
- Export from Australia, usually within 72 hours of the export permit being issued.
Import information – returning to Australia
Cats and dogs, including assistance dogs, can only be imported into Australia from certain countries and, depending on the country, the pre-import preparation time can be over 6 months.
A cat or dog that has left Australia immediately loses its Australian health status and may not be able to return to Australia at short notice. Preparations can be started in Australia before the cat or dog goes overseas, to make returning them to Australia simpler and quicker.
Cats and dogs must be accompanied by a valid import permit when they return to Australia, unless the animal is eligible for import from New Zealand or Norfolk Island with a valid veterinary health certificate. Find more information at Cats and dogs returning to Australia.
Further information
Detailed information on the export process can be found at Exporting companion animals and other live animals.
Detailed information on the role of registered veterinarians in the export process can be found at Veterinarians preparing companion animals for export.
Please contact the department by phone 1800 900 090 or email to imports@aff.gov.au if you have any questions.