The UK-to-Australia cat import process takes 7-8 months. It involves OV66 specialist vets, no direct flights, and a mandatory 180-day wait. Here is the complete process from start to finish.
The basics
The UK is a Group 3 country. Cats from the UK must complete a rabies antibody test, serve a 180-day waiting period, obtain an import permit, and spend time in post-entry quarantine at Mickleham in Melbourne.
Cats have fewer steps than dogs — no CIV vaccination, no Leishmania test, no Brucella test, no Leptospira requirement. However, the OV66 veterinary system applies to cats just as it does to dogs. A regular vet cannot complete any of the key export steps.
What OV66 means
OV66 is a specific additional authorisation granted by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) to Official Veterinarians in the UK. It qualifies them to complete identity checks and health documentation for pets being exported to Australia. Your regular vet almost certainly does not hold OV66 authorisation.
Specialist OV66 services in the UK include PassPets (Havant, London, Bristol), Travel Vet, AHC Specialists London, Pet Travel Pass, and The Export Vet.
The complete sequence
Phase 1 — Microchip and DEFRA registration
Your cat must have an ISO-compliant microchip. In the UK, cats must also be registered on a DEFRA-recognised microchip database before export preparations begin.
Phase 2 — Identity verification (before RNATT blood draw)
Identity verification requires two OV66 Official Veterinarians from two different practices. Each submits their declaration directly to DAFF from their registered email address. DAFF does not require you to attach these declarations in your BICON application — the OV66 vets handle submission directly.
Both identity declarations must reach DAFF before blood is drawn for the RNATT. Blood drawn before both declarations are confirmed produces an invalid RNATT for 10-day quarantine purposes.
Phase 3 — RNATT blood draw and 180-day wait
The RNATT blood draw is done by an OV66 vet — typically the same vet who completed the second identity check, on the same visit, provided both identity declarations have already been submitted to DAFF.
APHA-approved RNATT laboratories for UK cats are APHA Weybridge and Biobest (Penicuik, Scotland). Note: Biotest (Chelmsford) was removed from the approved lab list in February 2026 and is no longer accepted.
The 180-day wait starts from the date the lab receives the sample. Apply for the import permit as soon as you have the RNATT lab report and declaration — permits take 20-40 business days.
Phase 4 — RNATT declaration (ET260)
Once you have the lab report confirming a result of 0.5 IU/ml or above, a third OV66 vet completes the RNATT declaration (form ET260). This must be a different vet from the one who drew blood.
Phase 5 — Pre-departure (final 30 days)
External parasite treatment for cats must start at least 30 days before departure. Check DAFF's current approved products list before selecting a product. Internal parasite treatment: two treatments covering both nematodes and cestodes, at least 14 days apart, second within 5 days of departure. Final health exam within 5 days of departure. Export health certificate for UK cats is EHC 2432, signed by an OV66 vet.
Phase 6 — Flight and quarantine
There are no direct flights from the UK to Melbourne. Cats route via Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar Airways). A pet transport agent is effectively required — neither airline accepts direct owner cargo bookings.
Quarantine: 10 days minimum (with identity verification) or 30 days without. Current DAFF fees for a 10-day stay: approximately AUD $1,877 total. Fees reviewed annually.
What cats don't need that dogs do
- No CIV vaccination (UK dogs also do not need CIV — confirmed by DAFF April 2026)
- No Leishmania test
- No Brucella canis test
- No Leptospira vaccination or test
Regulations can change. Always verify directly with DAFF at agriculture.gov.au and APHA at gov.uk.