Bringing a dog or cat from the Netherlands to Australia
Under Australia's rules, pets from the Netherlands are in the group “Group 3: approved countries where rabies is absent or well controlled”. A dog from the Netherlands needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, a rabies titer test, an import permit and an official health certificate. Expect at least 10 days of quarantine on arrival. Plan for about 7 months (201 days) from the first vaccine to arrival.
About Australia: One of the hardest places in the world to bring a pet. Only pets from New Zealand and Norfolk Island skip the permit and quarantine. Everyone else needs a BICON import permit, a long list of vet tests and at least 10 days in the Mickleham quarantine station, and pets from Group 3 countries also need a rabies titer test (RNATT) followed by a 180-day wait. Pets from non-approved countries must first live in an approved country for 180 days and be fully prepared there.
Group 3: approved countries where rabies is absent or well controlled Quarantine
- Titer test
- Required
- Wait after blood test
- 180 days
- Import permit
- Required
- Quarantine
- 10+ days
Minimum preparation: about 7 months (201 days) from the first rabies vaccine to arrival.
Step by step
Microchip the pet
Implant an ISO-compliant chip (not starting with 999) before any other step. It is scanned at every visit.
Vaccinate against rabies
Use an approved vaccine given at 84 days (12 weeks) of age or older. Keep vaccination valid without any lapse until export, or the RNATT and the 180-day wait start over.
Optional identity check, then RNATT blood test
Have an official government vet verify the pet's identity before the blood draw; this cuts quarantine from 30 to 10 days. Then take the blood 3–4 weeks after a first vaccine and send it to an approved lab. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Apply for a BICON import permit
Apply with the RNATT report and the signed RNATT declaration, and book Mickleham quarantine. Processing takes 20–123 business days. The permit expires when the RNATT expires.
Wait 180 days
Export no sooner than 180 days after the lab received the blood sample, and within 12 months of the sample date.
Do the dog tests and parasite treatments
Within 45 days of export, dogs need Leptospira (vaccine or test), Brucella canis (if not desexed) and Leishmania tests. Dogs from the USA, South Korea and Canada also need canine influenza steps. All pets get external parasite treatment from at least 30 days out, plus two internal treatments (the second within 5 days of export).
Exam and endorsed certificate within 5 days
A government-approved vet examines the pet and completes the certificate within 5 days of export, and an official government vet endorses it. Original documents with wet-ink stamps are required.
Fly as cargo direct to Melbourne
The pet must arrive at Melbourne airport as manifested cargo. Domestic transfers are not allowed. It goes to Mickleham quarantine for at least 10 or 30 days.
At least 10 days at Mickleham if a government vet verified the pet's identity before the RNATT blood draw. Otherwise at least 30 days.
Good to know
- Cats
- Mostly the same steps (microchip, permit, rabies vaccine and RNATT for Group 3, parasite treatments, quarantine). The dog-only tests (Leptospira, Brucella, Leishmania, canine influenza) don't apply. Some hybrid cats are banned.
- Banned breeds
- Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario / Presa Canario, Dog-wolf hybrids (e.g. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Saarloos Wolfhound, Lupo Italiano), Hybrid cats (e.g. Savannah, Safari, Chausie, and Bengal within early generations)
- How many pets
- Not specified
- Parasite treatment
- Group 2/3: start external parasite treatment at least 30 days before export, and give two internal (nematode + cestode) treatments within 45 days of export, at least 14 days apart, with the second within 5 days of export. NZ: external and internal treatment within 5 days of export. Imidocarb treatment if the pet has been in mainland Africa.
- Arrival
- Group 2/3: Melbourne International Airport only, as manifested cargo in a sealed IATA crate, followed by Mickleham quarantine. No in-cabin travel. NZ pets can fly direct as cargo to mainland first points of entry, or arrive by sea.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from the Netherlands to Australia?
The Netherlands counts as "Group 3: approved countries where rabies is absent or well controlled" for Australia. Starting from a pet with no rabies vaccine, the minimum is about 7 months (201 days): rabies vaccine, a blood test at least 21 days later, then the waiting period before arrival.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the Netherlands to Australia?
Yes. The blood sample must be taken at least 21 days after the rabies vaccine, and the pet can arrive 180 days after the sample.
Will my pet be quarantined in Australia?
Yes. Pets from the Netherlands spend at least 10 days in quarantine on arrival.
Do I need an import permit?
Yes. Australia requires an import permit.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Mostly the same steps (microchip, permit, rabies vaccine and RNATT for Group 3, parasite treatments, quarantine). The dog-only tests (Leptospira, Brucella, Leishmania, canine influenza) don't apply. Some hybrid cats are banned.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Australia pet import rules.