🇦🇺 Australia Pet Travel (UK) – OV66 Checks, RNATT & Export Certificates
OV66 identity checks completed by Official Veterinarians
Clear support for UK-to-Australia dog & cat export requirements
Travelling to Australia with a dog or cat is one of the most detailed pet export processes in the world. Australia has strict biosecurity requirements, and most pets will complete post-entry quarantine (PEQ) on arrival.
At London Pet Travel Certificates, we support pet owners across London and Surrounding Areas with OV66 identity checks, rabies titre test (RNATT) planning, and export preparation guidance — helping you understand what’s required for 10-day vs 30-day quarantine eligibility and keeping the process clear, compliant, and stress-free.
Quick checklist for exporting a dog or cat to Australia (UK) ✅
Most Australia pet exports will require:
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ISO microchip (verified at every stage)
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Rabies vaccination (with certificate)
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RNATT / rabies titre test result > 0.5 IU/ml
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Export Health Certificate (EHC) paperwork
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For 10-day quarantine eligibility: two OV66 identity checks by vets from different practices as well as all other steps being completed by OV66 authorised vets.
🇦🇺 What is an OV66 check for Australia? 🇦🇺
OV66 is an additional authorisation for Official Veterinarians who prepare dogs and cats for export from the UK to Australia. It is separate from standard OV export authorisation (such as OCQ(V)-CA or OCQ(V)-SX).
If you are aiming for minimum 10-day post-entry quarantine, the identity checks, key rabies export steps, and certification must be carried out in a specific order by OV66-authorised vets, following the official process. Australia’s Department of Agriculture (DAFF) makes the final decision on quarantine duration after reviewing the documentation.
🐶 Australia pet quarantine: 10 days vs 30 days 🐱
Option A — 10-day post-entry quarantine (OV66 route)
To be potentially eligible for 10-day PEQ, export preparation relating to identity verification, rabies requirements, and certification must be carried out by OV66-authorised vets, including:
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Two separate ID checks completed by two different OV66 vets
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RNATT blood sampling (rabies titre test)
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RNATT declaration
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Export Health Certificate (EHC) completed by an OV66 vet
Meeting the steps correctly is essential, but 10-day PEQ is only confirmed by DAFF once they’ve assessed the supporting documents.
Option B — 30-day post-entry quarantine (standard export route)
If OV66 identity checks are not completed as specified, your pet will generally follow the 30-day PEQ pathway.
This route can be prepared by any Official Veterinarian with the relevant export authorisation, without specific OV66 approval.
Step-by-step: how to export a dog or cat to Australia 🇦🇺 from the UK 🇬🇧
Below is the typical preparation pathway for pets being prepared in the UK for Australia export. The exact timings and certificate requirements depend on your route and import permit, but the core steps remain consistent.
1) Rabies vaccination (and certificate)
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Rabies vaccination may be undertaken by any MRCVS veterinarian
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Your pet’s microchip must be scanned and recorded at the time of vaccination
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Rabies vaccination must be a government-approved inactivated vaccine
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For a primary rabies vaccination, it is recommended to wait at least 4 weeks before the RNATT blood test, to allow sufficient antibody production
2) First OV66 identity check + declaration (OV66(1))
To begin the 10-day PEQ pathway, an OV66-authorised vet must:
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Scan and verify the microchip
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Complete the required ID declaration
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Email the declaration directly to DAFF from their registered OV66 email address
3) Second OV66 identity check + declaration (OV66(2))
A second identity check must be completed by:
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A different OV66-authorised vet
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From a different veterinary practice (not associated)
This second check:
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Can be done on the same day as RNATT sampling
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Must be completed before blood sampling
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Is treated as the official verification date
ID photo requirements (important)
Both OV66 identity checks must include a clear colour photograph showing:
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Your pet (with identifying features visible)
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A microchip scanner display with the microchip number clearly legible
If DAFF requests a replacement photo, it must meet their standards to keep the declaration valid. If the second photo is also rejected, it may affect eligibility for the 10-day route and could require steps to be repeated — which is why careful image quality matters.
4) RNATT blood test (rabies titre test)
The RNATT blood sample must be collected by an OV66-authorised vet:
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After the second OV66 identity check
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Within 180 to 365 days (12 months) prior to export
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Submitted to an approved laboratory
5) RNATT lab report (titre result)
The laboratory report must include:
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Microchip number
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Blood sampling date
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A result greater than 0.5 IU/ml
6) RNATT declaration
The RNATT declaration must be:
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Completed by an OV66-authorised vet
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Completed by a different OV66 vet to the one who took the blood sample
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Supported by the RNATT laboratory report and rabies vaccination evidence
This declaration is submitted as part of the documentation required for the Australian import process.
7) Other tests and treatments (as required by the EHC)
Depending on the Export Health Certificate requirements, your pet may need additional tests or treatments.
These can be completed by any MRCVS veterinarian, but the microchip must be scanned and verified every time your pet is examined, tested, or treated prior to export.
8) Export Health Certificate (EHC)
The Export Health Certificate must be completed by an OV66-authorised vet:
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In line with certification principles
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By a different OV66 vet to the one who performed the RNATT blood sampling
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With supporting documents (lab reports and declarations) attached appropriately
A key rule throughout: microchip verification at every step
Australia export preparation is strict on identity assurance. Your pet’s microchip must be scanned and verified every time they are examined, tested, or treated as part of the export process — including vaccinations, blood tests, treatments, and certification appointments.
Export preparation started outside the UK (approved countries)
Some pets begin their preparation in a DAFF-approved country outside the UK and later travel to the UK before export to Australia.
In certain circumstances:
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RNATT declarations and supporting documentation completed abroad may remain valid
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These documents may not need to be repeated in Great Britain
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Supporting paperwork from other countries may be attached to the EHC without needing UK endorsement (but still included correctly with the final export certification)
If this applies to you, we can advise on how to proceed based on your import permit stage and documentation.
How we can help (London Pet Travel Certificates)
We can support clients across London and surrounding areas with:
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Export planning support for Australia pet travel from the UK
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Guidance on 10-day vs 30-day quarantine routes
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OV66 identity checks (where applicable)
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RNATT / rabies titre test planning and document review
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Pre-certification checks to reduce last-minute issues before travel
If you’re unsure where you are in the process, we can review your timeline and advise the safest next step.
What to prepare before booking ✅
To get started, please have:
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Your estimated travel date and route (including any transit)
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Your pet’s microchip number
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Rabies vaccination certificate / record
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Any existing RNATT results (if already completed)
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Any details of your Australian import permit stage (if applicable)