Pet Transport from Austria to Australia
Moving a dog or cat from Austria to Australia is a substantial process, but Austria's DAFF Group 2 status (rabies-controlled) means Austrian pets are exempt from the RNATT titre test, removing months from the preparation process compared with higher-risk …
The Austria to Australia import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Veterinarian
Responsible: Veterinarian
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: Amtlicher Tierarzt (official veterinarian)
Responsible: Airline cargo
Responsible: DAFF / MARS
What your pet needs to enter Australia
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
All pets must arrive at Melbourne International Airport (MEL). No other Australian airport accepts international pet imports.
Austria is DAFF Group 2 (no titre test). Confirm this classification is current at agriculture.gov.au before booking.
Quarantine fee must be paid before release. Budget AUD 1,877+ per pet.
Health certificate valid for 10 days from issue.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Does my pet from Austria need a titre test for Australia?
No. Austria is DAFF Group 2 (rabies-controlled), and Group 2 countries are exempt from the RNATT titre test. This removes the requirement for a blood draw and the associated mandatory waiting period.
What is still required: ISO microchip before any vaccination, current rabies vaccination within its validity period, DAFF import permit via BICON, quarantine booking at Mickleham, cargo to Melbourne (MEL), and the official health certificate from a BMSGPK-authorised amtlicher Tierarzt in DAFF’s required format. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs (2026).
Who issues the export health certificate for pets leaving Austria?
The BMSGPK (Bundesministerium fur Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz) oversees animal health and veterinary certification in Austria. The official export health certificate for pets leaving Austria to Australia is issued by an amtlicher Tierarzt (official veterinarian) under BMSGPK oversight.
The certificate must follow the DAFF-approved format for Group 2 countries and is valid for ten days from issue. From 1 October 2026, the new EU export format under EU Regulation 2026/131 applies. Confirm the current required template with your amtlicher Tierarzt and DAFF before the appointment. Source: BMSGPK, sozialministerium.at (2026).
Which airlines carry pets from Austria to Melbourne?
There is no direct Austria-to-Melbourne passenger flight. Emirates via Dubai from Vienna International Airport (VIE) is the most commonly used routing. Qatar Airways via Doha and Singapore Airlines via Changi are viable alternatives. Austrian Airlines, as part of the Lufthansa Group, connects from Vienna to Frankfurt and other hubs from which long-haul cargo arrangements can be made.
All airlines carry pets as manifest cargo only. Book eight to twelve weeks ahead. Routes via the Gulf are subject to summer heat embargoes. All pets must arrive at Melbourne International Airport (MEL). No other Australian airport accepts international pet imports.