After 7 months of preparation and a flight of 15-20+ hours, your pet arrives in Melbourne. Here is exactly what happens from the moment the plane touches down.
The moment of landing
You are not at the airport when your pet arrives. Pets travel as cargo, and DAFF biosecurity officers collect them directly from the aircraft on landing. If you have travelled on the same flight, you will clear customs and immigration as normal. Do not wait for your pet at the airport — they go directly into DAFF custody, not through the passenger baggage area.
Transfer to Mickleham
From Melbourne International Airport, DAFF transfers your pet to the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility (135 Donnybrook Road, Mickleham VIC 3064, approximately 25 kilometres north of Melbourne's CBD). The transfer is handled entirely by DAFF — you do not arrange transport.
The confirmation email
DAFF will send you an email within 24 hours of your pet's arrival confirming they have arrived safely at Mickleham. This is the email most owners are waiting for.
If you do not receive the confirmation email within 24 hours, contact DAFF directly: phone 1800 900 090 (within Australia) or +61 3 8318 6700 (international), or email imports@aff.gov.au.
What happens at Mickleham on arrival
Your pet is placed in an individual climate-controlled enclosure. The crate bedding is destroyed on arrival — this is a biosecurity requirement and applies to all pets. An Australian government veterinarian will examine your pet during the quarantine period. If anything requires attention, DAFF will contact you.
The quarantine period
The minimum stay is 10 days (with correctly completed identity verification) or 30 days (without). The clock starts from the day your pet arrives.
During the quarantine period:
- No visits are permitted — no exceptions, no special circumstances
- DAFF sends updates on health and wellbeing
- If there are health concerns, DAFF contacts you directly
- All import documentation is assessed against permit conditions
Getting ready for collection
As the quarantine period draws to a close, DAFF will notify you of your pet's release date and any outstanding fees. You must pay all invoices in full before your pet is released. Payment is made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) through the PEBS system.
On collection day bring:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Your import permit
- The official DAFF release notice
Collection is Monday to Friday during standard business hours at Mickleham. There is an out-of-hours collection fee for weekday evenings and weekends.
After collection
Your pet is home. After 7 months of preparation and up to 30 days in quarantine, most owners report their pet is in good shape — healthy, and visibly happy to be reunited. The facility does its job. The hard part was the wait.
Regulations can change. Always verify directly with DAFF at agriculture.gov.au.