Moving a pet from Canada to Australia takes around 7 months and involves CFIA government appointments, an Air Canada cargo booking, and a mandatory 180-day wait. Here's the whole process.
The basics
Canada is a Group 3 country for Australian biosecurity purposes. Like all Group 3 countries, the process requires a rabies blood test (RNATT), a 180-day waiting period, an import permit, government-endorsed documentation, and post-entry quarantine at Mickleham in Melbourne.
Canada has some specific differences from the US process worth knowing upfront, particularly around how identity verification works (CFIA government officials rather than private vets) and how the RNATT blood sample gets to the laboratory (across an international border into the US).
The full sequence
Phase 1: Identity and blood test (months 1-2)
- Confirm microchip: ISO-compliant
- Rabies vaccination: must be current before the blood draw
- CFIA identity verification: a CFIA Animal Health Office official scans your pet's microchip and submits an identity declaration directly to DAFF. Unlike the US, this requires only one government appointment, not two separate vets.
- RNATT blood draw: your regular vet draws blood and ships to an approved laboratory. For Canadian users, Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Kansas, USA is the standard. The sample crosses the border, and the 180-day clock starts when the lab receives it, not when blood is drawn. Read more about what the RNATT is
Phase 2: The 180-day wait (months 2-8)
- RNATT result: laboratory confirms passing result
- CFIA HA3202 declaration appointment: back to the CFIA office for the official to review the lab result and complete the RNATT declaration (form HA3202). This is a second separate appointment.
- CIV vaccination or isolation (dogs only): dogs from Canada must either be vaccinated against Canine Influenza Virus, or undergo 10 days of isolation from other dogs with a negative PCR test within 7 days of departure
- Leishmania test (dogs only): negative result within 45 days of departure
- Brucella canis test (intact dogs only): within 45 days of departure
- Leptospira: vaccination or negative test
- Import permit application: after HA3202 declaration is in hand
- Quarantine booking: same day the permit arrives. See Mickleham quarantine costs
Phase 3: Pre-departure (final 45 days)
- External parasite treatment: topical product, starts at least 30 days before departure
- Internal parasite treatment 1: at least 14 days before treatment 2
- Internal parasite treatment 2: within 5 days of departure
- Final health exam: within 5 days of departure
- Export health certificate: form HA3199 (cats) or HA3200 (dogs), endorsed by CFIA official at your local Animal Health Office
The Air Canada booking
Contact Air Canada cargo or your transport agent directly to confirm current booking requirements for your specific situation. Requirements may vary based on your pet's age and the specific route. Most Canadian pet owners use a transport agent to coordinate the Air Canada booking as part of their service.
Special note for cat owners
The external parasite products approved by DAFF are not all available in Canada. If you have a cat, confirm with your vet and agent that the treatment products they plan to use are on DAFF's approved list. A permit variation may be required.