Australia

Pet Relocation to Australia

Navigating Pet Relocation to Australia: Trust Continental Pet Relocation for Expert Assistance

Accredited Veterinarians can electronically submit health certificates for USDA APHIS endorsement through VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System). But don't let that intimidate you. With proper paperwork, your furry companion will be welcomed with open paws. The Australian Department of Agriculture offers step-by-step guides for assistance, and we've outlined the essentials below.

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Relocating Pets Worldwide with Ease

Pet Travel Microchip & Vaccination Requirements

Microchip

Pet must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader. Microchip must be scanned and recorded at each vet visit.


Rabies Vaccine

Your dog must be vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine that:

  • was given in an approved country when the dog was at least 90 days old
  • is valid, in accordance with the manufacturer's directions, at the time of export
  • is approved for use in dogs by the competent authority of the country of export
  • Rabies vaccinations with a three (3) year validity are acceptable if given in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.


Other Vaccines - Dogs

Leptospira interrogans, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica as well as CIV (Canine Influenza Virus). Pet has to be fully vaccinated more than 14 days before the export


FAVN - Rabies Titer Blood Test

Wait 3-4 weeks between the rabies vaccination and the blood sample collection for the RNAT test. If the dog has a history of regular rabies vaccinations, it may be possible to collect the blood sample sooner. A result of 0.5 IU/ml or more is acceptable. The RNAT test is valid for 24 months from the date of blood sampling.


The dog is not eligible for export to Australia until at least one hundred and eighty (180) days after the blood sample arrives at the lab for this RNAT test (with a satisfactory result). There is no requirement for the dog to stay in an approved country during this period.


Note: There are no exceptions or dispensations available for this mandatory 180 day waiting period.


RNATT Declaration

An official government veterinarian (not the government approved veterinarian) in the country of export must check the RNAT test laboratory report and rabies vaccination certificate and complete, sign and stamp the RNAT test declaration


Import Permit

Once the RNAT Declaration has been endorsed by the USDA, apply for the import permit. The import permit will be valid for 12 months or until the Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer (RNAT) test expires, whichever occurs first


Quarantine Space

Apply for quarantine space. Dogs must spend at least 10 days at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility.


External Parasite Treatment

A government approved veterinarian must treat the dog with a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact at least 21 days before blood collection for Ehrlichia cans antibody testing. Continuous protection from external parasites must be maintained until the time of export and treatments may need to be repeated by the veterinarian in accordance with the manufacturer's directions. To calculate 21 days after initial external parasite treatment, count the day the treatment is applied as day 0.

Ehrlichia Canis Testing

A government approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal's microchip and collect a blood sample at least 21 days after external parasite treatment starts (Step 10) and within 45 days before export. The sample must be tested for Ehrlichia canis infection by an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for the detection of IgG antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or an IFAT for the detection of IgM antibodies are not accepted. The test must produce a negative result at a dilution of 1:40


Brucella Canis Testing

  • If the dog is desexed it doesn't need testing for Brucellosis (evidence of desexing may be requested by the competent authority in the exporting country or the department).
    OR
  • If the dog is not desexed, a government approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal's microchip and collect a blood sample to be tested for Brucella canis using a rapid slide agglutination test (R$AT), a tube agglutination test (TAT) or an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) within 45 days before the date of export.
  • The test must produce a negative result.
  • The dog must not be mated or artificially inseminated from 14 days before blood sampling until export.


Leishmania Infantum

A government-approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal's microchip and collect a blood sample to be tested for Leishmania Infantum using either an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) or an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) within 45 days before the date of export. The test must produce a negative result.


Leptospiro Interrogans Serovar Canicola testing

This step only applies if the dog has not been vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola as per Step 9.

  • A government approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal's microchip and collect a blood sample to be tested for Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola using a microscopic agglutination test
    (MAT) within 45 days before the date of export.
  • The test must produce a negative result (less than 50% agglutination) at a serum dilution of 1:100


Internal Parasite Treatments

A government approved veterinarian must treat the dog twice with an internal parasite treatment effective against internal parasites (nematodes and cestodes). The two treatments must be administered at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before export. The second treatment must be given within five (5) days before export.


Health Certificate/Exam

The dog must be examined by a government approved veterinarian or an official government veterinarian and found to be free from external parasites and clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease within five (5) days before export. An official government veterinarian must complete, sign and stamp all pages of the veterinary health certificate.

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Pet Import Documentation

The original documents below must travel with your pet when we collect them.

  • Proof of Microchip.
  • Rabies Vaccination Certificate.
  • Routine Vaccination Certificate.
  • Blood test results.
  • International Health Certificate (unless we are handling this).
  • Australia Health Certificate (unless we are handling this).
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