Australia - Pets

Arriving in Australia with a Pet onboard

On 1 March 2023, Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry implemented new import conditions for the mitigation of rabies disease in imported cats and dogs, consistent with the Review of rabies virus risk in imported dogs, cats and canine semen from approved countries (12 January 2023).

Rabies virus, which is exotic to Australia, can be transmitted from infected animals to humans and is almost always fatal. The World Health Organisation estimates that rabies causes tens of thousands of human deaths each year, up to 99% of which are due to transmission by infected dogs.

To comply with Australia’s biosecurity legislation, cats and dogs entering Australian territory must be covered by a valid import permit. An animal is considered to have been imported to Australia once the animal enters Australian territory (within 12 nautical miles of the Australian coast). For more information, refer to Animals on vessels - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au) and the step-by-step guides for information about the conditions to bring a cat or dog to Australian territory, including the requirement for official health certification. Animals arriving in Australian ports or transiting within Australian waters onboard a non-commercial vessel such as a yacht, without a valid import permit, are not permitted and will be managed under the Biosecurity Act 2015 as illegally imported goods. A biosecurity officer will exercise powers under the Act to manage the biosecurity risk associated with the illegally imported cat or dog. Vessel masters are required to comply with their reporting obligations, including notifying the department of any animals on board, at least 12 hours before arrival in Australian territory. For further information:

• 32-2023: Non-commercial vessels (yachts) arriving in Australian territory with animals on board - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au).
• Contact the DAFF via telephone 1800 900 090 (Within Australia) or +61 3 8318 6700 (outside Australia) or by email to:imports@agriculture.gov.au

Useful Links:

• Bringing Cats and Dogs into Australia (DAFF)
• Animals on Vessels (DAFF)
• Read this 2023 report from Katie Monahan on SV Searcher about cruising the South Pacific with their dog Logan - The Logistics of Sailing with a Pet.
• Cat and Dog imports to Australia – impact of COVID-19 and Christmas shutdown (November 2020)
• Read this report by SY Ceilydh (2012) about their experiences with a cat on board - The Cost of Bringing a Cat to Australia

Last updated:  July 2023