Migrating to Australia can seem like a daunting prospect, especially if you don’t want to leave your furry family members behind. Fortunately, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) exists to help international visitors with pets.
Of course, it is also important to protect Australia’s wildlife from foreign diseases. For this reason, most dogs and cats in the family must be quarantined.
Just like humans, some pets are afraid of flying. It is important that you prepare them for the trip to Australia.
Different airlines and airports have different rules for people traveling with pets, so be sure to check your airline’s regulations before you go. There are also travel agents with specialized pet travel knowledge who can make recommendations regarding taking your pet from one country to another.
On her website, Australian veterinarian Dr. Katrina Warren advises pet owners to assess their animals’ travel needs well in advance of departure. If her pet doesn’t like to travel by car, Dr. Warren suggests introducing her to a travel crate about a month before the flight.
Just like when introducing a new pet to your home, it is helpful to place familiar toys or clothing in the crate to get your pet used to this new environment.
Warren also advises pet owners to exercise their dog or cat before traveling to help them sleep on the plane. To avoid unpleasant accidents during the flight, he does not allow his pet to eat on the day of his departure.
Once you arrive in Australia, most animals will have to go through a period of quarantine. The only dogs and cats that can enter Australia without going through this process are those from New Zealand, the Cocos Islands and Norfolk Island.
AQIS has divided the quarantine levels into six categories. The category your pet falls into depends on the country you are departing from on your way to Australia. To see which category your pet falls under, visit: www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs.
There are three quarantine stations located in Australia: two on the east coast at Spotswood, Melbourne and at Eastern Creek, Sydney and one on the west coast at Byford, Perth.
AQIS advises all pet owners immigrating to or working in Australia to be aware of heat stress in their dog or cat. Australian temperatures regularly reach 35 degrees Celsius during the summer months and pets can be more easily affected than people.
Quarantine costs are high and should be considered before you travel, especially if you are only staying in Australia on a temporary visa. Some dogs and cats face a minimum of 60 days in quarantine, so if you’re only staying for six months, it may not be worth the hassle.
Here is a quick overview of Australian quarantine costs for a dog quarantined for a month:
- Entry Fee – $15.00
- Vet fee – $80.00 (per 30 minutes)
- Document Fee – $40.00
- Rate – $1170.00 (30 x $39.00 daily rate)
- Total = $1305.00
And for a cat quarantined for a month:
- Entry Fee – $15.00
- Vet fee – $80.00 (per 30 minutes)
- Document Fee – $40.00
- Rate – $870.00 (30 x $29.00 daily rate)
- Total = $1005.00
