Q&A: Understanding Australia Pet Quarantine

Dear PetRelocation,

I'm moving to Australia with my cat. I saw that there will be 180 days of quarantine that the cat can do in the country of origin, but does that mean I can have her at our house? Or does she have to be at a vet for 6 months?

Once in Australia, where does my cat spend the 10 days quarantine required?

Thanks,

Silvia

Hi Silvia,

Thank you for your question, we can certainly offer some guidance. Here's the quick answer to your question: the only part of the quarantine that must be fulfilled at a quarantine facility is the final 10 days (and this occurs after your cat arrives in Australia).

Prior to that, you'll need to carefully follow all directions regarding microchip, vaccines, etc. but you're welcome to do that while remaining in the comfort of your home. Please refer to the official Australia pet import rules for help with outlining each step and your travel timeline.

One important thing to note is that the quarantine facility choices are in a state of flux. After Nov. 23 it may be possible for your cat to stay at the new quarantine facility in Mickleham, Victoria, as the Sydney quarantine facility will be closing after Nov. 9 and the Spotswood quarantine facility in Melbourne is still taking pets but will eventually be closing, as well. Check the official government website and our Australia pet quarantine guide to find out more.

Essentially, it's important to go over the rules carefully to avoid making mistakes, as this could cause significant delays. In fact, many pet owners choose to hire assistance for pet moves to Australia in order to minimize the chance of problems. Finally, for more information about pet travel to Australia, take a look at our Australia Pet Travel Spotlight.

Hope this helps! Please contact us if you're interested in finding out about our door-to-door pet transportation services, and good luck with everything.

Pet Travel Question Details:

Name: Silvia
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Mixed house cat "tiger marks"
From: Ocala, Florida, USA
To: Queensland, Australia