What happens at a CFIA Animal Health Office appointment for Australia export?

A CFIA official scans your pet's microchip, takes a photograph showing the microchip number visible on the scanner, and completes the required form. For the identity check it is form HA3201. For the RNATT declaration it is form HA3202. The CFIA submits these directly to DAFF.

How many CFIA appointments do I need to move a pet from Canada to Australia?

Two separate CFIA appointments are required. The first is for identity verification before the RNATT blood draw. The second is after the RNATT result arrives to complete the HA3202 declaration. Allow at least 4 weeks lead time for each appointment.

Do I need to bring my pet to both CFIA appointments?

You must bring your pet to the first appointment for the identity check since the microchip must be physically scanned. For the second appointment (HA3202 declaration), contact your local CFIA office to confirm whether your pet needs to be present or whether the appointment can be completed without them.

How do I find my nearest CFIA Animal Health Office for Australia export?

Use the CFIA office finder at inspection.canada.ca. When calling to book, specifically ask whether the office handles Australia export documentation for companion animals including forms HA3201 and HA3202. Not all CFIA offices handle this.

What is a CFIA Animal Health Office appointment and what happens there?

A CFIA government official completing export documentation for a dog at a Canadian Animal Health Office

Canadian pet owners need to visit a CFIA Animal Health Office twice during the import process. Here's what each appointment involves.

Why Canadian users go to the CFIA

In the US, two USDA-accredited private vets handle the identity verification for Australia-bound pets. In Canada, this role is played by government officials at CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) Animal Health Offices. You cannot use a private vet for these steps. They must be done by the CFIA.

Appointment 1: Identity verification (form HA3201)

This appointment happens before the RNATT blood draw. The CFIA official scans your pet's microchip, takes a colour photograph showing the microchip number on the scanner and identifying features of your pet, and completes form HA3201. They submit this declaration directly to DAFF in Australia. You don't submit it yourself and you won't receive a copy.

Bring your pet to this appointment. The microchip must be physically scanned. Some CFIA offices offer a videoconference option for certain steps, so confirm with your local office whether this is available for the identity check.

Appointment 2: RNATT declaration (form HA3202)

This appointment happens after you have received your RNATT laboratory result. The CFIA official reviews the laboratory report and your rabies vaccination certificate, then completes form HA3202, the RNATT declaration required for the import permit application.

Important

Bring the original RNATT laboratory report and original rabies vaccination certificate. The CFIA official cannot complete the declaration without the originals. Check in advance whether photocopies are acceptable at your particular office.

How to find your nearest CFIA office

Use the CFIA's official office finder at inspection.gc.ca. Search specifically for Animal Health Offices that handle export health certificates for companion animals. Not all CFIA offices handle this.

Booking lead time

CFIA Animal Health Offices can be significantly booked out. Allow at least 4 weeks lead time for each appointment. Some offices in major cities have shorter waits; rural offices can be longer. Call ahead and ask specifically about availability for Australia export documentation.

When you call, ask: "Do you handle Australia export documentation for companion animals, specifically form HA3201 and HA3202?" Not all CFIA offices handle pet exports, so you want to confirm before making the trip.

For the full Canada-to-Australia process, read the complete Canada guide.

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Regulations can change. Always verify directly with DAFF at agriculture.gov.au and CFIA at inspection.gc.ca.