This is a very general summary of what is required to import and quarantine your domestic cat or dog to Australia. Pets must have an AQIS Permit to Import and spend a minimum of 30 days quarantine in Australia.

The Australian Government has strict requirements and timeframes. Please check these thoroughly.

Links to detailed information is at the end of this article. All costs are given in Australian dollars.

Pre-Application Pet Requirements

Residency: 6 months continuous residence, or residence since birth, in Taiwan.
Age: 12 weeks or older at time of export.
Pregnancy: Not be more than 3 weeks pregnant, nor suckling young.
Breed: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit bull terrier or American pit bull, Presa Canaria and most domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids may not be imported into Australia.

Application Requirements

Forms and Fees: Completed application form for AQIS Permit to Import, with fee ($280 for the first animal, $60 for subsequent animals), and completed and officially endorsed veterinary forms A and B. Any associated veterinary fees.
Vaccinations, Tests and Inspections: These must be completed by a government approved veterinarian and an official veterinarian. Samples must be taken in a government approved laboratory. AQIS can help you locate these people. You can have required samples tested by the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Australia.
Microchip: Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid ®, Trovan®, Destron® or other ISO compatible reader. Required Vaccinations, Tests, Treatment and Inspections

- Dogs

Vaccinations: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis, canine parvovirus (parvo), para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough). Do not vaccinate against Leptospira interrogans.var. canicola within 6 months of export date.
Tests: Dogs must be tested for brucellosis, ehrlichiosis, leptospirosis, and external parasites.
Treatment: Dogs must also receive approved treatment for external and internal parasites. Note: Treatment for external parasites must begin at the same time as testing for ehrlichiosis and repeated before export.

- Cats

Vaccinations: Cats must be vaccinated against feline enteritis (feline panleucopenia, feline distemper), rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus.
Treatment: Cats must also receive approved treatment for external and internal parasites.
Pre-Export Inspection: Pets must be inspected within 4 days of export and immediately before travel. Once sealed in the cage after the final inspection, pets cannot be released. Keep original documents with you in your carry-on luggage, and tape copies to the pet’s cage.

Travel arrangements:

Bookings and checkin: Must have an AQIS permit number.
Pets can only fly into one of three airports: Mascot Airport in Sydney; Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne; and Perth Airport.
Book pets as “Manifested Cargo”, and check in at the freight terminal. The cargo section is insulated, pressurized and temperature controlled. Pets are checked and watered by airline staff.
Check that the arrival time and date are suitable for quarantine pick-up requirements.
If possible, book direct, non-stop flights in case of missed connecting flights and extended delays.
On most airlines pets are treated as and charged as excess baggage if traveling with the owner. Pets are free baggage with Qantas. Otherwise they are charged as freight. The cost depends on the size, weight and number of pet containers. Please check with the airline.
Note: Pets may transit (touch down but stay on the same plane) any country en-route. Pets may change aircraft or vessel only in some countries, and may require approval from the quarantine authority in this country. Please check the relevant country’s government website and with the airline for further information.
Pet Container: Pets must travel in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved container for dogs and cats. Containers must be labeled “Live Animal” and “This Way Up” on four sides.
Preparing Your Pet: Pets can become stressed during travel and quarantine but there are ways to minimize this:
Include a small familiar toy or an old t-shirt with your scent in the travel container. Include clean, absorbent bedding.
Provide a water bottle that can be refilled from the outside.
Do not sedate your pet.
Arrival and Pick-up: AQIS: Pets are met by AQIS staff and transported to the quarantine station. Approval is needed by AQIS for any arrivals on weekends or public holidays. Extra fees are charged for pets not arriving between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
Quarantine Station: Quarantine stations only accept animals during set hours during the week. Some stations will accept pets out of hours, but check and book with the individual station.

Quarantine

Bookings: Bookings and confirmation bookings must be made for your pet/s. You will need a permit number and may need a flight number to book. Note: The issuance of an import permit does not guarantee a space at one of the quarantine stations. Places are limited, so you will need to book months in advance.

Locations:

Eastern Creek, New South Wales: 40km from Sydney, no direct public transport, extremely limited visiting hours, will NOT accept pets on weekends or public holidays.
Spotswood, Victoria: 12km from Melbourne, direct public transport, limited visiting hours, will accept and release pets on any day of the week.
Byford, Western Australia: 37km from Perth, close to a major highway, limited visiting hours, accepts and releases pets on any day of the week.
Fees: The minimum total quarantine fees for 30 days:

• 1 cat: $609.50
• 2 cats: $1034
• 1 dog: $729.50
• 2 dogs: $1214

Other fees and charges: Apply for pets that give birth and extra required veterinary care.

Links

AQIS www.aqis.gov.au/dogcat
Quarantine Station Accommodation www.aqis.gov.au/dogcat

Animal Shipping companies If you would rather someone else handle the details you can contact the following companies. We have not tried these companies, so please tell us if you do.

Pet Carriers http://www.petcarriers.com.au/
Pet Transporter http://www.pettransporter.com/australia.htm
All Creatures Air Road http://www.allcreaturesairroad.com.au/
Dogtainers Australia http://www.dogtainers.com.au/
Jet Pets Animal Transport http://www.jetpets.com.au/
Sherae Petlink http://www.sherae.com.au/
SkyPet Animal Transport http://www.skypet.com.au/
Transpet Australia http://www.transpet.com.au/

IATA Approved Containers

IATA http://www.iata.org/NR/rdonlyres/0B9E3905-BCED-4AD2-9EAE-213E08D6E886/0/LAR32containers.pdf

Transporting Animals – Advice and Recommendations

IATA www.iata.org
Pet Carriers http://www.petcarriers.com.au/travelTips.asp
Singapore Airlines http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/plan/pets.jsp#Header6
Qantas Airlines http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/specialNeeds/travellingPets#jump1