Taking Pets to Australia
Flying your pet to Australia is a big life moment. With PetAir UK you’re not doing it alone. Our vet-led team has safely flown 33,000+ pets worldwide, handling every step with clinical care, clear guidance, and calm communication. From paperwork and timelines to quarantine bookings and flight logistics, we make a complex process feel manageable – so you can focus on your move, not the maze. Ready to start? Get a quote today.
What you need to know
Pet travel to Australia – what you need to know (latest rules)
Australia has some of the world’s strictest biosecurity rules. Key points for cats and dogs arriving from the UK:
- Quarantine: Pets complete post-entry quarantine (PEQ) at Mickleham (Melbourne). With the UK identity-check process (from 4 Nov 2024) done correctly, eligible pets can do a minimum of 10 days in PEQ; otherwise quarantine may be 30 days.
- Direct arrival: Pets must arrive directly into Melbourne International; domestic transfers on arrival aren’t permitted. Travel must be as manifest cargo in an IATA-approved travel cabin.
- Timeline: Preparation commonly takes at least 6 months (microchip, rabies vaccination, RNATT blood test, waiting periods, treatments, export health certification).
- UK–Australia 10-day pathway (how it works): DEFRA/DAFF introduced a two-vet identity verification process (OV66) tied to rabies prep and RNATT, enabling eligibility for 10-day PEQ when fully compliant.
- Cabin vs cargo: No pets in cabin on international flights to Australia (assistance dogs may be exempt). Pets must travel as manifest cargo.
- Airlines & routings: Many UK–Australia routings use carriers such as Qantas (via Qantas Freight) and partners, or Singapore Airlines (checked/cargo policies vary by route; Australia still requires manifest cargo on arrival). Book via a pet travel specialist to meet all conditions.
Good news: PetAir coordinates the entire pathway – microchip verification, rabies / RNATT timing, paperwork, PEQ booking, and the correct IATA-approved pet cabin – to keep you on track and eligible for the shortest quarantine possible.
Why PetAir?
Why choose PetAir UK for pet flights to Australia
- 100% vet-led: In-house vets and nurses guide every step.
- Proven experience: 33,000+ pets flown globally, complex cases welcomed.
- IATA-approved, custom “pet cabins”: Sized to your pet for comfort and safety.
- Paperwork handled: DEFRA export health certificates (EHC 2580/2581), RNATT timing, identity checks, treatments – sorted.
- Quarantine coordination: We book and manage Mickleham PEQ timelines and logistics.
- Transparent quotes: Clear line-by-line pricing, no hidden costs.
- 1-2-1 Vet-Led Travel Prep: Behaviour, nutrition, and 24/7 video-vet access pre-flight.
- Flexible Payment Plans and Care Tags for extra reassurance on travel day.
The PetAir Process
Step-by-step: the PetAir process
- Get a quote → quick details, pet profile, preferred timing
- 1-2-1 vet consult → personalised plan (behaviour + nutrition support)
- Rabies & RNATT plan → we schedule vaccines, bloods, waiting periods
- Identity checks & paperwork → OV66 identity verifications, DEFRA EHC, DAFF import permit, airline booking
- Pet cabin fitting & training → IATA-approved, sized right; practice sessions reduce stress
- Flight day → welfare checks, airline acceptance, tracking updates
- Arrival & PEQ → transfer to Mickleham, daily oversight, discharge to your new home
Learn more about the process of relocating your pet with PetAir in our blog here.