Bringing your dog from Canada to Australia
Bringing a dog to Australia from a Group 3 country requires a strict sequence: microchip → rabies vaccination → RNATT blood test → 180-day wait, then import permit and quarantine. Everything is planned backwards from the blood test.
Pitfall #1: the 180-day wait starts on the date the LABORATORY RECEIVES the RNATT blood sample (not the date the blood is drawn). Miscalculate it and your dog becomes ineligible to fly. This is the mistake that ruins relocations.
Calculate your deadlines
Enter your travel date: we work back in time to give you the deadline for each step, personalised for Canada → Australia.
The 10 steps, in order
1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip
Have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted by a vet. This is the very first step: every later document and test must be linked to this microchip number, otherwise they are invalid.
2. Rabies vaccination
Vaccinate the dog against rabies AFTER the microchip is implanted. The vaccination must stay continuously valid until the day of the flight — if it lapses, the dog becomes ineligible.
3. Identity verification by an official vet (recommended)
Have an official government vet carry out an identity check BEFORE the RNATT test. Optional but strongly recommended: it reduces quarantine from 30 to 10 days.
4. RNATT blood test (rabies antibody titre)
Have blood drawn for the RNATT test, at least 3 to 4 weeks AFTER the rabies vaccination. The result must show a titre of at least 0.5 IU/mL. This test is the pivot of the whole plan.
5. Mandatory 180-day waiting period
The dog cannot travel to Australia until at least 180 days after the date the LABORATORY RECEIVED the RNATT sample. This is the longest and most critical delay in the process.
6. Apply for the import permit (BICON)
Submit the import permit application through the BICON system, after obtaining a valid RNATT. Processing usually takes 10 to 20 business days. The permit is required BEFORE you can book quarantine.
7. Disease screening and parasite treatments
Carry out the required screenings and treatments in the days before the flight (internal/external parasites, and depending on the country of departure: Brucella canis, Leishmania, Ehrlichia canis…). The diseases screened and exact windows DEPEND on the country of departure.
8. Book quarantine at Mickleham
Book a quarantine place at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility (Melbourne) once the permit is granted. Minimum stay: 10 days (if the identity check was done) or 30 days otherwise. Places are limited.
9. Endorsed export health certificate
Have the export health certificate issued and endorsed by the government veterinary authority of the country of departure, within the required window just before the flight.
10. Flight to Australia and entry into quarantine
The dog travels in the hold on an approved flight (or via a pet transport company), arrives in Australia and goes straight to the Mickleham PEQ for the booked quarantine period.
Quarantine on arrival
On arrival in Australia, the animal enters quarantine at Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) Facility (Near Melbourne, Victoria) for at least 10 days. Quarantine can only be booked AFTER the import permit is granted. Places are limited — book early.
From another country?
Official sources:
- DAFF — Step-by-step guide, dogs (Group 3)
- DAFF — Rabies vaccination and tests (RNATT)
- DAFF — Import permit
- DAFF — Cats and dogs FAQ
Pawscleared provides preparation guidance based on official sources. Requirements may change; the definitive, binding conditions are those published by the Australian government (DAFF) and your animal's specific BICON permit. Always confirm exact dates with an official vet.