Australia - Obtain a Pet Passport

Advertisement

Procedure

There are two options for completing and submitting an application to import cats and dogs.

Complete and submit application form online (eLodgement)

The Application to Import Cats and Dogs can be submitted and paid for electronically, within our secure environment. The eLodgement application form consists of three sections:

• Importer and exporter details
• Animal details, quarantine accommodation and additional information
• Importer declaration and payment.

You will need to electronically scan and attach all supporting documentation. Please ensure that all signatures and stamps (where applicable) are visible on the scanned documentation.

Payment can only be made by credit card and must be submitted for each eLodgement application. To ensure you have authorised sufficient payment view the Charging Schedule for Import Permit Applications. Fees and charges may change at any time.

You must complete one eLodgement application for each cat or dog.

Note: There is a 350 character limit in free-text input boxes.

Apply via eLodgementlodgement fee $85.00 + assessment fee

Download, complete and submit manual application form (post, fax or scan and email)

• Application to Import Cats and Dogs
• Application to Import Cats and Dogs

To submit the manual application form, or for more information, contact Animal Import Operations Branch

Advertisement

Required Documents

• ISO 11784/11785 compliant ISO microchip
• Import Permit
• Australia Veterinary Certificate
• A copy of the Rabies Certificate and Blood Titer Test

Office Locations & Contacts

Animal Import Operations Branch
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Phone: +61 2 6272 4454
Free call: 1800 020 504 (from within Australia - calls from mobile and p

Eligibility

• SO 11784/11785 compliant ISO microchip. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
• Rabies vaccination within one year of entry.
• Blood Titer Test (RNATT) between 60 days and 12 months prior to entry.
• Import Permit (this will take about 10 days to process.)
• An accredited veterinarian must then complete the Australia Veterinary Certificate for endorsement.
• A copy of the Rabies Certificate and Blood Titer Test should also be included for endorsement.
• All pets must travel as manifest cargo will need a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.

This completes a passport for your dog or cat to enter Australia.

Fees

The application lodgement fee is $85.00 and an additional assessment fee will apply. Refer to the Fees for Cat and Dog Applications to ensure you have authorized sufficient payment.

Fees for cat and dog import permit applications

Validity

New Regulations: For pets entering Australia after February 3, 2014, the quarantine period will be reduced from 30 days to 10 days if the Blood Titer test is done no less than 180 days and and no more than 24 months prior to entry. The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of the test, administered no sooner than 4 weeks after vaccination, and kept current through import. Pets from countries not approved by DAFF can also enter Australia through approved countries (see list below) as long as they conform to the regulations of the intermediary country. (Pets do not need to reside in the country for 6 months). There are also additional vaccination changes.

Documents to Use

Application to Import Cats and Dogs PDF [349 KB]

Application to Import Cats and Dogs MS Word [234 KB]

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

The department strives to grant an import permit for each application within 20 business days from the date of receipt. However, in exceptional circumstances it may take longer than 20 business days to assess and grant an import permit.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites. 	
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

There are some countries from which cats and dogs cannot be directly imported to Australia. These are referred to as non-approved countries.

Cats and dogs arriving from approved countries must stay in an Australian Government post-entry quarantine facility for a minimum of 10 days subject to meeting all pre- export and import permit conditions, when they arrive in Australia.

If your cat or dog travels to a non-approved country they must be be tested, treated and exported from an approved country before they will be eligible to return to Australia.

If you wish to re-import your pet within six months of export, preparations must be made before leaving Australia to avoid an extended stay in the exporting country. It is recommended that you apply for, and hold, a valid Australian import permit prior to departure from Australia so that you are aware of the re-entry requirements specific to your animal.

The European Union Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), also known as the Pet Passport Scheme, does not apply to cats and dogs being imported or returning to Australia.

Department of Agriculture recommends that you familiarize yourself with the Australian import conditions applicable to the country your cat or dog will be returning from.

Required Information

• Importer details
  • You can have your name as both the importer and exporter.
  • The importer address details must be within Australia and be a physical street address. An address using a Post Office (PO) Box, 'to be advised', or 'care of the animal quarantine station' is not accepted.
  • An Australian telephone contact number and email address that will be active during the animal's stay in quarantine is also required.
  • If you do not have an Australian address or telephone contact details at the time of application you may use details care of a relative, friend or workplace. You should tell this contact that you are using their details on the import permit application as we may need to contact them.
  • The person nominated as the importer is classified as the owner and is responsible for the animal during the quarantine period, the release of the animal from quarantine and all associated fees.
  • The importer is the only person allowed to make enquiries about the animal during the quarantine period.
  • The importer may authorize other persons (e.g. family members, friends, pet transport agencies, etc.) by written permission to make enquires or collect the animal on its intended release date.
  • The written permission must to be forwarded to the animal quarantine facility.
• Exporter details
  • The exporter is the person in the country of export responsible for preparing the animal for travel to Australia.
  • The exporter address details must be within the exporting country and contain a telephone number and email address.
  • If you are using a pet transport company to assist you with the importation of the cat or dog, you may use their contact details as the exporter.
• Animal details
  • Animal call name. State the name the cat or dog will respond to during the quarantine periodnot the pedigree/kennel name.
  • Age or date of birth. Indicate the cat or dog's age (in years or months) or date of birth. Month and year for the date of birth is acceptable.
  • Species. Indicate whether the animal is a cat or dog by ticking the appropriate box.
  • Breed
    • State the breed of the cat or dog. For mixed breed animals, indicate the breed/s which the cat or dog most closely resembles in appearance.
    • Crossed, mixed or mongrel will not be accepted by Department of Agriculture as a cat or dog breed.
  • Sex
    • Indicate the sex of the cat or dog by ticking the appropriate box.
    • If the animal is pregnant, tick the appropriate box and provide the expected birth date.
• Medication details
  • If your cat or dog has ongoing veterinary conditions, requires medication or has specific dietary requirements answer 'yes' under Medication details.
  • A Veterinary Medical Form available from the Department of Agriculture or detailed veterinary letter should accompany the application to ensure the animal's welfare and medical requirements are met whilst in our care. The form/letter should be completed with as much information as possible.
• Microchip details
  • State the microchip number in the boxes provided. Indicate the type of microchip by ticking the appropriate box. Please note it is critical that you record this number correctly. Any difference in microchip number between the paperwork and the scannable chip on arrival may result in the animal being ineligible for entry to Australia.
• Other details
  • Country of export: State the country that the cat or dog will be exported from (note: this must be the same country where the health certificate, issued to you with your import permit, is completed).
• Australian port of arrival
  • State the port in which the cat or dog will arrive in Australia.
  • The port of arrival must be either 'Kingsford SmithSydney 'or 'TullamarineMelbourne'. This depends on the animal quarantine facility selection.

Need for the Document

A pet passport is an official registration document that is unique for the pet that contains data about the pet itself (including details of permanent identification), the registered owner, and a number of health related aspects.

In all cases this will include a certification of rabies vaccination, but there are other items (blood tests, tick and worm treatments) that may only be required in specific circumstances.

If you intend to import cats and dogs into Australia you will need to ensure you comply with the Department of Agriculture import conditions.

Australia requires for dogs and cats to enter the country with a minimum of 10 days quarantine except for pets traveling from the following countries: New Zealand, Norfolk Island or Coco Island who will be admitted to Australia with no quarantine

Information which might help

Enter other informations which might help.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Place some external links which might help.

Others

More information which might help people..