The UK-to-Australia pet import process is one of the more complex routes in the world. This guide explains the whole thing from start to finish.
The basics
The UK is a Group 3 country for Australian biosecurity purposes. All dogs and cats from Group 3 countries require a rabies blood test, a mandatory 180-day waiting period, an import permit, government-endorsed health documentation, and post-entry quarantine at Mickleham in Melbourne.
The UK process has additional complexity compared to US and Canadian moves because of the OV66 veterinary system, specialist vets who must complete key documentation steps. The total process takes 7-8 months from scratch.
The full sequence
Phase 1: Identity and blood test (months 1-2)
- Confirm microchip: ISO-compliant, registered on a DEFRA-recognised database
- Rabies vaccination: must be current before the blood draw
- DEFRA microchip registration: required before export preparations begin
- OV66 identity check Visit 1: specialist vet submits declaration to DAFF
- OV66 identity check Visit 2: second specialist vet at a different practice, also submits to DAFF
- RNATT blood draw: done by an OV66 vet, after both identity declarations have reached DAFF. See what the RNATT is and why it matters
Phase 2: The 180-day wait (months 2-8)
- RNATT result: laboratory confirms passing result (0.5 IU/ml or above)
- ET260 declaration: a third OV66 vet completes the RNATT declaration
- Leishmania test: all dogs must test negative within 45 days of departure
- Brucella canis test: intact (non-desexed) dogs only, within 45 days of departure
- Leptospira: vaccination or negative test
- Import permit application: after RNATT 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: covers roundworms and tapeworms, 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: EHC 2580 for dogs, EHC 2432 for cats, via the EHCO system, signed by OV66 vet often at the departure airport
Do you need an agent
For UK moves, a full-service agent is effectively required for most people. There are no direct flights from the UK to Melbourne. Your pet routes via Dubai or Doha, and neither Emirates nor Qatar Airways accepts direct owner cargo bookings. Coordinating a minimum of three OV66 vets (often four) across a 7-month process without professional help is genuinely difficult.
Specialist UK pet transport agents include PetAir UK and PetsByPlane. The IPATA directory is also worth searching for UK-based agents with Australia experience. For tips on choosing an agent, read how to choose a pet transport agent.