Pet Travel from the UK to Australia: Dog Import Requirements
Dogs travelling from the UK to Australia must meet strict Department of Agriculture import requirements, including ISO microchipping, rabies vaccination, Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNATT) blood testing, two OV66 identity checks, mandatory waiting periods, and an official Export Health Certificate. Careful sequencing and timing are essential to qualify for Australia’s reduced quarantine pathway.
Step-by-Step Guide: Importing Your Dog from the UK to Australia
Step 1 — Confirm your dog is eligible (before you spend money)
Your dog must be imported from an approved country (the UK qualifies as a Group 3 country) and must meet Australia’s biosecurity conditions.
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Your dog must NOT be:
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under quarantine restriction
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more than 30 days pregnant
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nursing puppies
Banned dogs (examples Australia lists):
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Hybrid dogs not allowed: Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Saarloos Wolfdog, Lupo Italiano, Kunming Wolfdog
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Pure breeds banned: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario (Presa Canario)
Mixed-breed dogs are allowed if they meet all other conditions (but may be investigated if suspected of being a prohibited type).
Step 2 — Plan your timeline early
Australia requires a mandatory 180-day residency period in an approved country from the date the RNATT sample arrives at the lab.
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This is not quarantine (your dog can live at home as normal).
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You must also keep rabies vaccination valid continuously from RNATT to export.
Practical takeaway: Most UK dogs need 6–8+ months of planning.
Step 3 — Microchip (must be correct before anything else)
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Your dog must have a working ISO-compliant microchip (generally 10 or 15 digits).
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Microchips starting with 999 are not accepted (not unique).
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The vet must scan and record the microchip at every visit, and before any blood sampling.
Critical: Australia does not accept corrected lab reports if the microchip number or dates are wrong. If it’s wrong, the dog may be ineligible.
Step 4 — Optional: OV66 identity checks to reduce quarantine (10 days vs 30 days)
If you want your dog to be eligible for the minimum 10-day quarantine (instead of the standard minimum 30 days), you’ll need to follow the OV66 identity verification protocol.
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This involves:
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Two separate ID checks completed by two different OV66-authorised Official Veterinarians
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The two OVs must be from separate veterinary practices/clinics
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Both ID checks must be completed before the RNATT blood test is taken
This is a specialist process that we can provide as part of our Australia export service.
If you’d like to understand exactly how OV66 works (and whether it’s worth doing for your timeline), you can read more here.
Step 5 — Rabies vaccination (mandatory)
Your dog must be:
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vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine
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vaccinated when at least 84 days old
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kept continuously “in date” from RNATT → export
Timing tip: If it’s your dog’s first rabies vaccination, Australia recommends waiting 3–4 weeks before doing the RNATT blood sample (better chance of a strong titre).
Step 6 — Rabies Blood Test (RNATT)
After rabies vaccination, your dog will need a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) blood test to confirm adequate immunity.
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Key timing rules:
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Blood must be taken at least 3–4 weeks after rabies vaccination (if this was a first vaccination)
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The sample must be taken between 180 days and 12 months before export
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Your dog cannot travel to Australia until at least 180 days have passed from when the sample arrives at the approved laboratory
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The RNATT result is valid for 12 months from the blood sampling date. If it expires before export, the test must be repeated and the 180-day waiting period starts again
OV66 compliance requirement (for reduced quarantine):
If you are following the OV66 protocol to qualify for the reduced 10-day quarantine period, the blood sample must be collected by an OV66-authorised vet. In most cases, we organise this to be done at the same appointment as the second OV66 identity check to keep the process efficient and fully compliant.
The vet will scan the microchip and ensure the number is recorded exactly on the blood tube and laboratory paperwork — errors here can invalidate the result and delay travel.
Step 7 — RNATT Declaration (Official Government Certificate)
Once the RNATT laboratory result is available, an RNATT declaration must be completed using the official country-specific template. This confirms the rabies vaccination and blood test details match and meet Australia’s import rules.
What’s required:
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RNATT laboratory report
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Rabies vaccination certificate
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Matching microchip number, blood sample date, and test result across all documents
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Declaration completed, signed and stamped by an authorised Official Veterinarian (OV)
OV66 protocol requirement (for reduced quarantine):
If you are following the OV66 pathway, the RNATT declaration must be completed by an OV66-authorised vet who is different from the OV who collected the blood sample. In practice, this is usually arranged with the first OV66 vet who performed your initial ID check, so the chain of certification stays compliant.
If you’re unsure which vet should complete this step, we coordinate this for you as part of the OV66 process to avoid certification errors and delays.
Step 8 — Apply for the Australia import permit (BICON)
Apply as soon as you have the RNATT declaration.
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You must upload:
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RNATT lab report (from the testing laboratory)
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RNATT declaration (endorsed by the official government veterinarian)
Processing time: commonly 20–40 business days, but can take up to ~123 business days in some cases.
Permit validity: generally until the RNATT expires (12 months from blood sampling).
Step 9 — Book quarantine (then book flights)
Your dog must quarantine at Mickleham (Melbourne):
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minimum 30 days, unless eligible for minimum 10 days
Book quarantine as soon as your permit is issued. Space isn’t guaranteed.
Then book flights with these rules:
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Arrival must be Melbourne International Airport (no domestic transfers via Sydney, etc.)
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Dogs must travel as manifested cargo (not cabin)
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Use an IATA-approved crate
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Don’t put toys/meds/items in the crate (they may be destroyed as biosecurity waste)
Stops en route:
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Transit (stays on plane) can occur in any country
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Transhipping (changing aircraft) is only allowed in an approved country and your dog must remain on the international side under supervision—owners must confirm the rules with the transit country’s competent authority.
If your pet is arriving with a private aircraft, click this link to find out your specific requirements.
Step 10 - Request the Export Health Certificate (EHC 2580)
You should apply for your Export Health Certificate (EHC 2580) through the EHC Online system once you are approaching the 45-day pre-export window. This timing works best because most of the required laboratory tests and treatments must fall within this final preparation period.
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Applying too early can lead to timing conflicts with test validity, while applying too late risks delays in certification. We normally guide our clients on exactly when to submit the EHC request to keep everything aligned and compliant.
Step 11 — Non-rabies tests and treatments (most are within 45 days of export)
These must be done by a government approved vet and (where applicable) approved laboratories.
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Within 45 days of export:
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Leptospira Canicola: either
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vaccinated and “in date” (final dose/booster 12 months to 14 days pre-export), or
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negative MAT test within 45 days
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Brucella canis (only if not desexed): negative test within 45 days
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Leishmania infantum: negative IFAT or ELISA within 45 days (no “snap” tests)
External parasites (ticks/fleas):
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Start at least 30 days before export, use a product that kills ticks/fleas on contact
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Must remain effective until export (repeat per manufacturer)
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Vet must check for ticks/fleas at each visit; if found, treatment may need restarting
Internal parasites (worms):
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Must be treated twice within 45 days before export
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Treatments must be at least 14 days apart
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The second treatment must be within 5 days of export
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(Time saver) the final vet check + second worming can be done at the same appointment
Here is a list of authorised products
If your dog has ever been to mainland Africa: imidocarb dipropionate treatment is required within 28 days of export (specific dosing options apply).
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Recommended routine vaccinations (optional but strongly advised) - while not mandatory for Australian import, it is recommended that dogs are current for:
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Distemper
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Hepatitis
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Parvovirus
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Para-influenza
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Bordetella bronchiseptica
These diseases are present in Australia, and keeping vaccinations up to date helps protect your dog during travel and quarantine.
Step 12 — Final vet check + health certificate (within 5 days of export)
Within 5 days before export, your vet must:
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examine your dog for external parasites and signs of infectious/contagious disease
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complete the Export Health Certificate (your competent authority provides the official template) and issue it to you during the consultation.
Bring to the appointment:
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valid import permit
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RNATT report + declaration
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lab reports (Leishmania / Brucella if relevant / Leptospira report or vaccine proof / any other required documents)
Step 13 — Travel day + arrival in Australia
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Your dog must arrive before the permit expires
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Australia collects your dog on arrival and transports them to Mickleham
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You’ll typically receive an arrival email update within 24 hours
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If paperwork or health checks don’t match the permit, extra quarantine/testing (or worse) can follow