Alerts

The requirements for rabies virus risk management for live dogs and cats being imported to Australia will change from 1 March 2023.

There have been significant changes to the volume of imports and increasing commercialisation of the companion animal trade, which has increased the rabies biosecurity risk associated with the importation of dogs and cats.

Therefore, the department has reviewed the import conditions for dogs and cats from approved countries and will make changes in relation to rabies virus preparations, residency in approved countries and the post-entry quarantine period.

The main changes for all dogs and cats are as follows:

1. All dogs and cats must be implanted with an International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) compatible microchip prior to commencing pre-export preparation.
   
2. Dogs and cats must not have resided in unapproved countries during the 180 days prior to export to Australia.
   
3. The following conditions are specific to dogs and cats from New Zealand:
   3.1. The dog or cat has been continuously resident in New Zealand for 180 days immediately prior to export, or since direct importation from Australia, or since birth.
   3.2. The dog or cat must not have been in quarantine or under quarantine restrictions in the 180 days immediately prior to export.
   
4. The following conditions are specific to dogs and cats from Group 2 approved countries:
   4.1. Identity verification, including scanning of the microchip, by the exporting country’s competent authority as part of the import permit application process.
   4.2. There is no change to the current mandatory minimum 10 days post-entry quarantine period if animals have been prepared in compliance with the pre-export measures.
   
5. The following conditions are specific to dogs and cats Group 3 approved countries:
   5.1. Rabies vaccination must continue to be current at the time of export to Australia.
   5.2. An adequate rabies neutralising titre test (RNATT) laboratory report will be valid for 12 months only.
   5.3. Minimum 10 days post-entry quarantine in an Australian government facility for dogs and cats that have had an identity verification, including scanning of the microchip, by the exporting country’s competent authority as part of the import permit application process. The verification must occur before a blood sample is collected for RNAT testing, and at least 180 days before export to Australia.
   OR
   5.3. Minimum 30 days post-entry quarantine in an Australian government facility for dogs and cats that have not had an identity verification before a blood sample was collected for RNAT testing, and at least 180 days before export to Australia. These dogs and cats must still have a valid RNATT on a blood sample received by the testing laboratory at least 180 days before export to Australia.

These changes are detailed on the department's website.

All other import conditions remain in place.

Who does this alert affect:
Importers of live dogs and cats and associated stakeholders, including pet transport agents and officials and government-approved veterinarians. The department will directly contact all importers that hold a valid import permit to provide additional details.

Further information:
You can find detailed step-by-step guides about the import process on our webpage: Bringing cats and dogs to Australia.

For further information, contact the department on 1800 900 090 or by email at imports@agriculture.gov.au.