Pet Transport Vietnam to Australia: The 2026 Staged Move Pathway

Australia’s DAFF maintains a tiered country classification for pet imports based on disease risk. Vietnam, along with most of Southeast Asia, is classified as non-approved because of the endemic presence of rabies. This is a country-level classification, not a reflection of your individual pet’s vaccination history. Even a fully vaccinated, titre-tested dog cannot fly directly from Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney under current DAFF rules.

The approved pathway requires the pet to reside continuously in a DAFF Group 2 or Group 3 country for at least 180 days before export to Australia. Singapore is DAFF Group 2 (recognised as rabies-free), which makes it the most practical staging post for Vietnam-based expats because it avoids the RNATT titre test requirement for the Australia leg.

Before Singapore will admit a pet from Vietnam, your pet must meet Singapore’s Schedule III import conditions: a rabies vaccination, a FAVN titre test (0.5 IU/ml minimum), an AVS import licence, and a 30-day quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre in Sembawang. The process takes 3 to 4 months to prepare for. From 1 April 2026, you also need to appoint an AVS-recognised pet agent to handle clearance at Changi Airport.

Once your pet completes the 30-day Singapore quarantine, the 180-day DAFF residency clock starts running. Your pet needs to remain in Singapore continuously until 180 days from the original arrival date have passed. During this time, apply for the DAFF import permit via BICON and pre-book Mickleham quarantine, as both have lead times that need managing.

Departing from Singapore for Australia, your pet travels under DAFF Group 2 conditions, which is the easier path. No RNATT titre test is needed. What is required is a DAFF-format health certificate issued in Singapore within 5 days of departure, your valid DAFF import permit, and your confirmed Mickleham booking.

Singapore Airlines and Qantas both operate direct flights from Changi to Sydney and Melbourne. Singapore Airlines Cargo has well-established live animal handling infrastructure at Changi, and the SIN-SYD and SIN-MEL sectors operate multiple times daily. All imported pets in Australia must quarantine at Mickleham in Melbourne for at least 10 days, regardless of which city they fly into. The facility is professionally managed, with veterinary oversight throughout.