If you’re relocating from India to Australia and taking your pet, the good news is thousands of families do this every year.
This route is one of the most demanding international pet transport routes. Start preparations at least 26 weeks before your travel date: some steps have fixed waiting periods that cannot be shortened. Australia requires mandatory quarantine for all arriving pets. This is the part of the process most owners find hardest to plan around. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a mandatory waiting period after your pet’s vaccination. You cannot speed this up.
Use this guide to map out your preparation timeline and avoid the most common mistakes.
Documents Required for This Route
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Health certificate | Required. Government-issued veterinary health certificate (country-specific format). Issued by: Government veterinarian in country of export. Certificate format is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Must use exact DAFF-approved format for the specific country of export. |
| Microchip record | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as rabies vaccination |
| Rabies vaccination record | Minimum age: 12 weeks. Vaccination schedule must be completed before titre test blood draw |
| Rabies titre test | Required for: Groups 3, 4, 5, 6 (all except Groups 1 and 2). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml |
| Import permit | Required. Must be obtained BEFORE travel. Permit specifies conditions for import. |
| Export permit (India) | No formal export permit required. Destination import documentation serves as travel authority. |
How the Process Works
Australia: Entry Requirements for Pets
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as rabies vaccination |
| Rabies vaccination | Minimum age: 12 weeks. Vaccination schedule must be completed before titre test blood draw |
| Rabies titre test | Required for: Groups 3, 4, 5, 6 (all except Groups 1 and 2). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml |
| Quarantine | Mandatory quarantine. Facility: Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility. Location: Melbourne, Victoria |
| Import permit | Required. Must be obtained BEFORE travel. Permit specifies conditions for import. |
| Health certificate | Required. Government-issued veterinary health certificate (country-specific format). Issued by: Government veterinarian in country of export. Certificate format is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Must use exact DAFF-approved format for the specific country of export. |
Leaving India: Export Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit required. Destination import documentation serves as travel authority. |
What This Route Typically Costs
| # | Cost factor |
|---|---|
| 1 | Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire) |
| 3 | Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate |
| 4 | Rabies titre test laboratory fee |
| 5 | Import permit application fee (Australia) |
| 6 | Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination) |
| 7 | Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes) |
Critical Points — Read Before You Book
Why this route needs early planning
This is one of the more demanding international pet transport corridors. Australia runs a strict biosecurity programme and there are no shortcuts through it.
All pets must complete quarantine on arrival in Australia (at the designated facility). This is non-negotiable and is entirely separate from the pre-travel preparation.
Among the strictest pet import regimes globally. All imported cats and dogs undergo mandatory quarantine. Only pets from approved countries (Groups 1-6) can be imported. Allow minimum 6 months to complete all import steps. DAFF strongly recommends using an experienced pet transport agent.
Step-by-step: what to do first
Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.
Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.
Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.
If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Routes to Consider
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