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Taking a Cat to Australia from the UK:
Pet Travel Guide
Cats travelling from the UK to Australia must comply with strict Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) import requirements, including ISO microchipping, rabies vaccination, Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNATT) blood testing, import permit approval, and an official Export Health Certificate issued by a UK Official Veterinarian. Careful timing and documentation are essential to meet MPI standards and avoid delays at quarantine on arrival.Requirements
Step-by-Step Guide: Importing Your Cat from the UK to Australia
1
Confirm Eligibility & Plan Early
Australia has some of the strictest pet import rules in the world, so early planning is essential.
Your cat must:
Be travelling from an approved country (the UK qualifies)
Not be pregnant, nursing, or under quarantine restriction
Not belong to a restricted hybrid breed category
Most Australia exports require 6–8 months of preparation.
2
Microchip, Rabies Vaccine & RNATT Blood Test
Your cat must have an ISO-compliant microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and a successful
RNATT blood test.
Important requirements:
Rabies vaccination must remain valid continuously until export
RNATT blood test starts the mandatory 180-day waiting period before travel
Errors in microchip or laboratory paperwork can delay export
This is one of the most important stages of the process.
3
Optional OV66 Protocol (Reduced Quarantine)
If you want to reduce quarantine from 30 days to 10 days, Australia requires the OV66 identity
verification process.
This involves:
Two separate identity checks by two OV66-authorised veterinarians
Additional certification completed before RNATT testing
This is a specialist service we can help arrange.
4
Import Permit & Travel Booking
Once RNATT testing is complete, you must:
Apply for the official Australia Import Permit (BICON)
Book quarantine at Mickleham Quarantine Facility (Melbourne)
Arrange pet travel as manifest cargo
Quarantine spaces are limited, so early booking is strongly advised.
5
Final Treatments & Export Certificate
In the final weeks before travel, Australia requires additional parasite treatments and veterinary
preparation, including:
Internal parasite treatments (worming)
External parasite protocol (flea and tick prevention)
Routine health preparations before export
During this period, we also arrange the official Export Health Certificate required for travel.
7
Final Health Check & Travel to Australia
Within 5 days of departure, your cat will need a final veterinary examination to confirm they are
healthy and fit to travel.
Once complete, we issue the final health certificate and your cat can travel to Australia, where
quarantine is completed on arrival before release.