Destination: Melbourne
Taking Pets to Melbourne Australia
Taking Pets to Melbourne Australia
Relocating to Melbourne, Australia, with your pet is an exciting adventure, offering a new lifestyle in one of the world’s most livable cities. Melbourne is known for its vibrant culture, diverse neighborhoods, and a welcoming community that makes it an ideal destination for pet owners. The city’s many parks, pet-friendly cafes, and accessible outdoor spaces ensure that your pet will thrive in their new environment. However, moving your pet from the UK to Melbourne involves navigating Australia’s strict biosecurity regulations, designed to protect its unique ecosystem.
Melbourne, as a major hub in Australia, requires meticulous planning to meet all legal and logistical requirements for pet importation. From mandatory vaccinations and quarantine to understanding local pet registration rules, the process can be complex and time-consuming. Partnering with a professional pet relocation service can help ensure that every step is handled efficiently, allowing for a smooth transition for your pet.
Whether you’re settling in Melbourne’s bustling city center or its leafy suburbs, this guide will walk you through the essential steps needed to relocate your pet to Melbourne. By following these guidelines, you can help your pet adjust quickly and enjoy all the benefits of life in this dynamic Australian city.
Step 1: Start Your Research and Planning Early
Planning your pet’s relocation to Melbourne from the UK requires early and thorough preparation. Australia’s biosecurity laws are some of the strictest in the world, designed to protect its unique ecosystem, and Melbourne adheres to these regulations rigorously.
- Consult your vet: It is recommended to speak with your vet at least nine months before your intended move to ensure you have ample time to meet all requirements.
- Plan ahead: Early planning will help you avoid delays and ensure you meet the strict deadlines for testing, paperwork, and quarantine bookings.
Step 2: Understand the Quarantine Requirements
All pets entering Australia, including those destined for Melbourne, must undergo a mandatory quarantine period. The Mickleham Quarantine Facility, located on the outskirts of Melbourne, is the only designated facility for this process.
- The quarantine period typically lasts between 10 and 30 days, depending on your pet’s compliance with biosecurity standards.
- If your pet meets all the requirements, the quarantine period can be reduced to 10 days. Working with a professional service, such as PetAir UK, can ensure all documentation is in order, helping to minimize the quarantine stay and reunite you with your pet as quickly as possible.
Step 3: Identification Check for 10-Day Quarantine Eligibility
To qualify for the 10-day quarantine period (instead of 30 days), pets must undergo an identity verification process before the Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT).
- The ID check must occur before blood sampling for the RNATT. Any RNATT performed prior to the ID check will be invalid, and the 180-day waiting period for export will restart from the date the new blood sample arrives at the laboratory.
- This new identity verification process will be implemented in the UK from 4 November 2024, and the earliest an animal can be exported under this system is 3 May 2025.
- The identity check is complex and must be conducted by two OV66-authorized veterinarians. PetAir UK can help guide you through this process to ensure compliance with the rules.
Step 4: Import Permit Application
An Import Permit is essential for bringing your pet into Australia. After the Rabies blood test (RNATT) is completed, the import permit becomes one of the most critical documents.
- The application process can take several months, so as soon as the Rabies test results are back, contact PetAir UK to begin the application process. This will help ensure you can meet your anticipated travel date and avoid any delays.
Step 5: Booking Quarantine Accommodation
Since there is only one centralised quarantine facility in Australia, located near Melbourne, spaces can fill up quickly. Once your pet’s import permit is issued, it is crucial to secure quarantine accommodation.
- Early booking ensures that your pet has a place reserved in quarantine, preventing any travel delays.
Step 6: Veterinary Treatments & Additional Blood Tests
Your pet must undergo several veterinary tests and treatments to comply with Australia’s strict biosecurity entry requirements.
- PetAir UK will provide detailed guidance and schedules to your chosen veterinary practice to ensure all tests and treatments are carried out correctly and on time. This ensures your pet’s smooth entry into Australia.
- If desired, PetAir UK can include your vet’s costs in our service package, so you won’t have to worry about handling payments during appointments.
Step 7: Arrival in Australia
Upon arrival at Melbourne Airport, your pet will be met by the Mickleham Quarantine Facility staff.
- After biosecurity clearance, your pet will be transferred directly to the quarantine facility, where they will be monitored for the duration of their stay.
- The quarantine staff will ensure all biosecurity requirements are met, and you will be kept updated on your pet’s condition throughout their stay. If any health issues arise, they will be addressed promptly, and you will be informed immediately.
Step 8: Collection from Quarantine
Since you will be living in Melbourne, you are fortunate to be able to collect your pet yourself after they are released from quarantine.
- Pets are typically released before midday on their final day, giving you ample time to pick them up and enjoy the rest of the day together. This avoids the need for additional flights or transportation arrangements.
Step 9: Enjoy Life with Your Pet in Melbourne!
Once your pet is safely released from quarantine, you can begin enjoying life together in Melbourne. The city offers many pet-friendly parks, beaches, and activities to explore with your beloved pet.
By following these steps and working with PetAir UK, you can ensure that your pet’s relocation to Melbourne is smooth, compliant, and stress-free. While the process may seem complex, early planning and professional assistance will help ensure that your pet is reunited with you as soon as possible in your new home in Melbourne.
Related Locations
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Elvis, Oscar, Princess and Zion to Australia
“Hi Everyone
This is just to send you all a BIG thank you for your help, service, patience and understanding with the move of our four cats to Australia. The service you provided was excellent. Moving country can be so stressful but Catherine especially I knew I could contact you with any concerns or worries with the cats’ move and you would reply straight away with reassurance! From the time I received a quote to even the driver Kevin collecting the cats, I felt that your service was first rate.
Lenny, thank you for sending your updates once the cats arrived in Melbourne. The video was such a lovely touch and was so reassuring.
The cats have settled in well. Princess is still a little nervous (she is a nervous cat anyway) but the others seem fine and are all adjusting well!
Some pics are attached 🙂
Thank you again.
Take care
Cxxxxx Dxxxxxx”
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Teddy to Australia
“Hi Linsey, Many thanks for your message and bringing teddy to us safely. He is doing well and getting use to his new life down under! I attach a couple of pics from his day he arrived where he is smiling!:
Many thanks, Mxxxxx & Ted”
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Finally, Athena made it over to Brisbane, Australia!
Hi Catherine,
Just to let you know I collected Athena from BNE yesterday for a very happy reunion.
I’m not sure which of us was more excited! Actually, my Dad wins – hands down ! He’s already calling Athena “my dog” and after only 3 hours together the pair of them are inseparable.
Thank you for all your help. I can’t imagine even trying to organise all this by myself. Fantastic service!
Warm Regards,
Drew, Roz and Athena
Oh….And Jim!
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Nigel the cat flew to Tasmania
Hi Lenny and Catherine
Nigel is home, safe and sound. He’s explored every room of his new home, steadfastly ignored all his new toys, eaten far more treats than strictly necessary, and is now cuddled up by my feet on the sofa looking very contented and happy.
A huge thank you to both of you and everyone else involved in getting him safely here. You’ve obviously looked after him very well, and it’s wonderful to have him back. We missed him so much!
We really appreciate everything you’ve done. If we ever hear of someone wanting to bring their pet over from the UK, we will keep recommending you relentlessly until they give in!
Thanks again,
Lxxxx and family.
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Pippi the dog flew to Australia
Hi Rachel, Just wanted to let you know that we collected Pippi from quarantine this morning and she’s settling into her new home down under quite nicely.
She’s lost quite a lot of weight in quarantine, but generally she’s in great shape.
Thank you and everybody at Pet Air for everything – this was a long project for me: my initial enquiry with you was at the end of 2014, and at times I didn’t think it was ever going to happen…but here she is! You and your team made the whole thing very straight forward for me, and I’m very, very grateful.
Kind regards, Sxxxx
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Bramble flew to Australia – September 2020
Well, that’s him arrived!
We picked him up this morning – only wrinkle was that the crate still did not fit the car but we can sort that out.
I will get the final bill from the Quarantine folk paid and it only remains for me to say a huge thank you to you and all of your colleagues along the way for getting Bramble here in challenging times and for steering me in the correct direction and mopping my anxious doggy-parent brow on more than one occasion!
Bramble is trying to follow everyone around as he gets used to his new surrounding and his Australian “pack” but I am sure as the days go by he will get settled!
Thanks for everything
Colvin
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Amber is loving Sydney life!
Thank you so much for everything Pet Air did for us. We are so very appreciative of everything you did, both for us and for Amber. It took all the stress and worry out having you guide us the whole way through the process and we knew Amber was in safe hands. I would also be happy to recommend you to anyone who wanted to move their pet 🙂
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Bert In Melbourne
“Dear Linsey and Catherine,
Sorry for the delay in replying and can I just say a massive massive THANK YOU for all your help with Bert, you were brilliant with our last minute issues, reassuring, calm and everything else.
We collected Bert last weekend and apart from being very pleased to see us and a tad skinny he is full of beans.
I’ve attached a couple of photos, feel free to use them anywhere you like (I apologise for appearing in one of them!).
If you ever want to put a client in touch with somebody as a testimonial then please do not hesitate.
All the very best,
Cxxxx and Nxxxxx”
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Jett flew to Australia June 2023
Oh how happy we are!!
Thankyou Pet Air UK for an amazing service getting our 10 year old Goldie from The UK back to his homeland Australia. Special mentions to Alfie and Kim for keeping us updated when transporting him and to Ali who set us up at the start and for answering my millions of questions and last but definitely not least to Emma our wonderful Export Consultant for her time, patience and expertise, she also answered my millions of questions with promptness and professionalism and kindness. We have loved being kept informed of Jetts whereabouts along the way, everything was clear and concise and the photos you get really do make a difference. We were thankful to know that Jett was healthy and calm during his travels! First class service! Our advice for anyone wanting to transport their pet is – plan early, ask all the questions and definitely choose Pet Air UK!”
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Laika and Skip flew to Melbourne, Australia
I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your help in getting my babies safely to Melbourne. I was very happy with the service and never felt a bother when I asked a thousand questions about the process. I really appreciate all the reassurance and understanding you provided, as this helped keep my anxieties at bay. I was so impressed by how easily you were able to sort and rearrange our travel arrangements when I became ill after having my baby. It couldn’t have been easier or more stress free on my part. I picked up Laika and Skip from quarantine expecting them to be skinny and shaking with stress, but they were the happy healthy pups I left in the UK. They have settled into life here so easily and I am so glad we were able to bring them along. Thank you Catherine and thank you to everyone at PetAir UK, I would definitely recommend you to anyone!!
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Dotty to Australia
“Dear Catherine and Linsey,
Just wanted to say thank you for your help in arranging Dotty’s travel arrangements to Australia. All went smoothly and she is settling really well. Here we are on Brighton beach Adelaide at the weekend. Doggy paradise.
Best wishes
Dxxxxx”
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Shah and Gus at Perth
Shah & Gus arrived safe and well. They have settled in very quickly.
It was very emotional collecting them at the Airport. Thanks to all at PetAir for taking care of my fur babies.
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Sansa to Australia – August 2019
Everything went very well with Sansa’s relocation to Australia… in fact, so much better than I expected. She is quite a sensitive little thing, but she has settled into her new Aussie home really quickly. Thanks so much for looking after her and making the whole procedure far less stressful than it could have been. Thanks again!
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Sonny, Floss and Mylo went to Cairns, Australia
I just wanted to let you know that sonny floss and Mylo have all arrived safely and are with dad in cairns enjoying their new home! I wanted to thank you for your great efforts in helping us to move our fur babies to Australia, I have had nothing but absolute confidence in you and your company and in making it a smooth transition for myself and my husband and our adored pets, your driver was extremely professional and certainly made me feel like he loved my animals as much I do and he was brilliant in what was an extremely emotional time for me, you are both a huge credit to your company and I feel so happy that we used you to take care of everything.
Thank you again, I wish you all the best and would 100% recommend you to anyone thinking of moving their pets overseas.
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Pip to Australia
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything in getting Pip to Melbourne! She’s been home a week and a half now and is doing great! I think she likes Aussie life and is enjoying beach walks and the sunshine!
Pip was much better in herself than expected when I picked her up from the Australian quarantine, the facility seemed well organised and the staff were very nice. Thank you again for making the process so much easier for all of us – our family is now complete!