Moving to Australia with your beloved pet is an exciting new chapter, but it also involves one of the world’s most comprehensive pet import processes. Australia’s strict biosecurity laws are designed to protect its unique environment and animal population, which means careful planning and precise documentation are essential.
Whether you’re relocating to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide or anywhere else in Australia, Sky Companion manages every aspect of your pet’s journey. From veterinary preparation and documentation to airline coordination and quarantine planning, our experienced team ensures your pet’s relocation is handled with the highest level of care.
Australia’s import process typically requires several months of preparation, making early planning essential for a smooth relocation.
Australia Pet Import Requirements
Before your pet can travel from South Africa to Australia, several mandatory requirements must be completed.
Minimum Age Requirement
Dogs and cats must be at least 9 months old before they can be imported into Australia.
Microchip Identification
Every pet travelling to Australia must have an ISO-compliant microchip.
The microchip must:
- Be implanted before any vaccinations or travel procedures.
- Be registered on the manufacturer’s database.
- Remain readable throughout the relocation process.
If a rabies vaccination was administered before microchipping, it will not be accepted and must be repeated.
Rabies Vaccination
Your pet must receive a valid rabies vaccination after the microchip has been implanted.
The vaccination must:
- Be at least 6 months old before travelling.
- Be no older than 12 months at the time of travel.
Correct timing is essential, as Australia will not accept vaccinations administered before microchipping.
Annual Vaccinations
Routine vaccinations must also be current before travel.
Dogs
- 5-in-1 vaccination
- Kennel Cough vaccination
Cats
- 3-in-1 vaccination
- Feline Calicivirus vaccination
These vaccinations must be more than 30 days old but less than one year old before departure.
Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)
Australia requires every pet travelling from South Africa to complete an RNATT blood test.
Requirements include:
- Blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
- Antibody level of 0.5 IU/ml or higher.
- The blood sample must be at least 6 months old, but not older than 2 years, before travel.
- The six-month waiting period begins when the laboratory receives the sample.
- An RNATT declaration is also required when applying for an Australian import permit.
Import Permit
Before travelling, an Australian Import Permit must be obtained.
Applications require supporting documentation confirming your pet has met Australia’s biosecurity requirements. Sky Companion assists with preparing the necessary documentation to help ensure your application is complete. Australia recommends allowing at least six months to complete the permit process and all pre-export requirements.
Quarantine Requirements
Australia requires all pets arriving from South Africa to complete post-arrival quarantine.
If your pet’s identity is verified by the State Veterinarian before the RNATT blood sample is taken, they may qualify for a 10-day quarantine.
Without this verification, the quarantine period may increase significantly.
Our team guides you through every step to help your pet meet the requirements for the shortest available quarantine period.
Final Veterinary Requirements
Within 45 days before departure, additional veterinary examinations, blood tests and treatments must be completed.
Your pet will also require:
- A Veterinary Health Certificate confirming all import requirements have been met.
- Certification that your pet is healthy and fit to travel.
- Endorsement by the South African State Veterinarian.
Please note that the endorsed health certificate is valid for only five days after issue.
Restricted Dog Breeds
Australia prohibits the importation of certain dog breeds.
These include:
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
- Pit Bull Terrier / American Pit Bull Terrier
- Perro de Presa Canario
- Dog hybrids with wild species, including wolf hybrids.
Why Choose Sky Companion?
How Sky Companion Makes the Process Easy
Australia has one of the world’s most detailed pet import processes, but you don’t have to manage it alone.
Sky Companion provides complete relocation support, including:
- Personal relocation planning
- Veterinary scheduling and guidance
- Microchip verification
- Vaccination planning
- RNATT coordination
- Import permit assistance
- Health certificate preparation
- State Veterinarian coordination
- IATA compliant travel crate guidance
- Flight booking and airline coordination
- Quarantine preparation
- Regular progress updates throughout your pet’s journey
Our experienced relocation specialists work closely with veterinarians, airlines and government authorities to ensure every requirement is completed correctly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Dogs and cats must be at least 9 months old before travelling to Australia.
Yes. Every pet must be microchipped before any vaccinations or travel preparations begin.
The Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test is a blood test that confirms your pet has sufficient rabies antibodies to meet Australia’s import requirements.
Yes. Australia requires post-arrival quarantine for pets entering from South Africa. The duration depends on whether specific pre-export identity verification requirements have been met.
Absolutely. We coordinate every aspect of your pet’s relocation, from veterinary preparation and documentation to airline arrangements and quarantine planning.