The Bringbabka guide

Moving your pet from the US to Australia

Step-by-step guides, cost breakdowns, and the advice we wish someone had given us before we started.

Dog looking out of a car window with Melbourne skyline in the backgroundPillar guide
Essential reading
The complete guide to moving your dog or cat from the US to Australia
Moving a pet from the US to Australia takes 7+ months and up to 20 steps. This guide covers every step in order, with the timing, costs, and mistakes to avoid.
18 min read · Ben Weiss
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The Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Victoria, Australia where imported pets complete their mandatory quarantineGuide
How much does Mickleham quarantine cost in 2026?
A breakdown of Mickleham quarantine fees in 2026 — what you'll pay for a 10-day or 30-day stay, what's included, and what costs extra.
5 min readQuarantine
Veterinarian drawing a blood sample from a dog for the RNATT rabies antibody test required for Australian importGuide
What is the RNATT blood test for dogs and cats moving to Australia?
The RNATT is the most important blood test in the Australia pet import process. Learn what it is, why Australia requires it, and how the 180-day wait works.
7 min readBlood tests
Air Canada cargo plane on the tarmacPractical guide
You can't book Air Canada cargo for your pet directly - here's why
Air Canada requires international pet cargo bookings to go through an IPATA agent. Here's what that means and what your agent actually does.
3 min readFlight
Flight departure board showing changed flight timesPractical guide
Can you change your Mickleham quarantine booking if your flight changes?
Yes, you can change your Mickleham PEQ booking when flights change. Here's how to do it and what to watch out for.
3 min readQuarantine
Calendar with a date circled for pet quarantine bookingPractical guide
How quickly can you get a quarantine spot at Mickleham?
How much lead time you need to book a Mickleham quarantine spot, when to book, and what to do if your preferred date isn't available.
3 min readQuarantine
Stack of pet export health certificates and vaccination recordsPractical guide
Physical documents or copies - what does your pet actually need to travel?
Do original documents need to travel with your pet, or can the transport company work from copies? Here's what DAFF requires.
3 min readPaperwork
Veterinarian preparing a rabies vaccination for a dogPractical guide
Does the rabies vaccine need to be given by a government-approved vet?
The rabies vaccine can be given by any licensed vet - the government-accredited vet requirement applies to other steps. Here's what matters.
3 min readVets
Veterinary blood test paperwork on a deskPractical guide
Can you get your RNATT declaration done retrospectively? (UK pet owners)
If you missed getting an RNATT declaration after a blood test, you can have it completed retrospectively. Here's how it works for UK pet owners.
3 min readBlood test
Pet travel crate packed and ready for a flightPractical guide
What to pack when your pet flies to Australia
What to send with your pet on their flight to Australia - food, collar, lead, and what to leave behind. Varies by route.
3 min readFlight
Pet crate at Mickleham quarantine facilityEssential reading
10-day vs 30-day quarantine: what the difference is and how to qualify for the shorter stay
Your pet's quarantine in Australia is either 10 or 30 days. The difference comes down to one step: identity verification. Here's how to get it right.
8 min readQuarantine
Checklist with red warning markers next to pet travel documentsEssential reading
The 7 most common mistakes people make when importing a pet to Australia (and how to avoid them)
Seven preventable mistakes that cause the most delays and problems when moving a pet from the US to Australia. All are avoidable if you know about them.
10 min readStart here
French Bulldog sitting next to an IATA-compliant travel crateBreed-specific
Moving a flat-faced dog to Australia: what brachycephalic breed owners need to know
Brachycephalic breeds face extra airline restrictions when moving to Australia. The import process is the same - the QANTAS rules are what change.
7 min readBreeds
Calculator and pet travel documents on a deskPractical guide
How much does it actually cost to move a dog or cat from the US to Australia?
A realistic cost breakdown in USD for moving a pet from the US to Australia: vet visits, RNATT, freight, quarantine, and agent fees.
8 min readCosts
Person reviewing pet transport paperwork at a deskDecision guide
Do you need a pet transport agent? An honest breakdown of when it's worth it
Sometimes you need a pet transport agent for moving to Australia. Sometimes you don't. Here's an honest breakdown of when it's actually worth the cost.
7 min readAgents
Veterinarian examining a dog with a microchip scannerPractical guide
How to find a USDA-accredited vet who actually knows Australian export paperwork
Not all USDA-accredited vets will do Australian export paperwork. Here's how to find one who knows the process and the questions to ask.
7 min readVets
Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility exteriorEssential reading
What is Mickleham quarantine? What to expect, costs, and how to prepare
Everything you need to know about Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine: costs, daily routine, collection, and how to prepare your pet.
9 min readQuarantine
IATA-compliant pet travel crate at an airport cargo terminalPractical guide
Flying your pet on QANTAS Freight: what they accept, how to book, and what to expect
QANTAS Freight is the main carrier for US to Australia pet moves. Here's how booking works, what to expect at LAX, and how to get your pet there if you're not local.
8 min readFlight
Veterinarian drawing blood from a dog for RNATT testingEssential reading
The RNATT explained: what it is, why you wait 180 days, and how not to get it wrong
The RNATT is a blood test required before moving your pet to Australia. Learn what it is, when the 180-day wait starts, and how not to get the timing wrong.
10 min readBlood test