Pet Transport from Malta to Australia

If you are relocating a pet from Malta to Australia, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Plan for approximately 26-32 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the …

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26-32

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

Required

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

26-32 weeks

Quarantine

Required

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

8 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Malta to Australia typically takes around 26-32 weeks. Quarantine is required on arrival, so check the requirements below. A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.

Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Malta to Australia import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from Australia

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (varies days)

Responsible: Australia quarantine authority

Requirements

Australia entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

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 Malta

Export requirements

Export permit

Not required

Health certificate

EU Pet Passport or AHC. Issued by Veterinary Regulation Directorate-authorised vet.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (Australia)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
British Airways	Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.	Cargo Only
Qantas	Cargo: QantasFreighter network for pet transport. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Temperature embargoes: seasonal restrictions during Australian summer (Dec-Feb)	Cargo Only
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes	Cabin and Cargo
KLM	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo

Australia import rules, explained

Australia takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.

Practical tips for this move

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

Yes, quarantine is mandatory in Australia. Your pet will stay at the designated quarantine facility on arrival. Confirm the facility, duration, and current charges with the destination authority before travel.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Australia. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from the Australia veterinary authority. Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Malta. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Australia’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

British Airways
Qantas
Emirates
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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