OV66 Checks

What is an OV66 Check

OV66 identity checks completed by Official Veterinarians

Clear support for UK-to-Australia dog & cat export requirements

Quick checklist for exporting a dog or cat to Australia (UK)

ISO microchip
(verified at every stage)

Rabies vaccination
(with certificate)

RNATT / rabies titre test result > 0.5 IU/ml

Export Health Certificate (EHC) paperwork

Quarantine Eligibility Box

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:

Two separate ID checks completed by two different OV66 vets
RNATT blood sampling (rabies titre test)
RNATT declaration
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.

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:

RNATT declarations and supporting documentation completed abroad may remain valid
These documents may not need to be repeated in Great Britain
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.

What to prepare before booking

To get started, please have:

Your estimated travel date and route (including any transit)
Your pet’s microchip number
Rabies vaccination certificate / record
Any existing RNATT results (if already completed)
Any details of your Australian import permit stage (if applicable)

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