If you're moving a pet from the US to Australia, the RNATT is the single most important step in the process. It's the step that determines your timeline, sets your earliest possible departure date, and - if done incorrectly - can push your move back by months. This article explains exactly what the RNATT is, how the 180-day wait works, and the mistakes that trip people up most often.
What is the RNATT?
RNATT stands for Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test. It is a blood test that measures whether your pet has developed sufficient immunity to rabies through vaccination. Australia requires every imported dog and cat to have a valid RNATT result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher before entry is permitted.
The test doesn't check whether your pet has rabies. It checks whether your pet's immune system has responded to the rabies vaccine strongly enough to be considered protected. Australia uses this test as part of its biosecurity framework to maintain its rabies-free status.
The test is sometimes referred to as the FAVN test (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation). FAVN and RNATT refer to the same test - RNATT is the term used in Australian import regulations, while FAVN is the laboratory methodology name. If your vet or lab uses either term, they're talking about the same thing.
When does the 180-day wait start?
This is the most commonly misunderstood part of the entire import process.
The 180-day wait starts from the date the laboratory receives the blood sample - not the date blood was drawn.
Your vet draws the blood and ships it to an approved laboratory. The lab logs the sample when it arrives. That arrival date - the lab receipt date - is when the 180-day clock starts. Not the blood draw date, not the date results come back, not the date your vet sends the sample. The date the lab receives it.
This distinction matters because shipping can take anywhere from one to five business days depending on where you are and which lab you're using. If your vet draws blood on a Thursday and the lab receives it the following Tuesday, you've lost five days off your timeline.
Ask your vet to use overnight shipping. Ask the lab to confirm the exact receipt date in writing. Record that date carefully - your entire timeline is built from it.
Which laboratories are approved?
Australia accepts RNATT results from laboratories approved by DAFF. The two most commonly used labs in the United States are:
- Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory (Manhattan, Kansas) - The most widely used lab for Australian imports. Turnaround time is typically 2–4 weeks. They accept samples shipped from any US vet.
- Auburn University Rabies Laboratory (Auburn, Alabama) - Also approved and commonly used. Similar turnaround times.
Your vet needs to ship the blood sample correctly - serum must be separated and shipped cold. Most USDA-accredited vets who have done Australian exports before will know the protocol. If your vet hasn't done this before, have them contact the lab directly for shipping instructions. The labs are used to fielding these calls.
The sequence that most people get wrong
The RNATT doesn't exist in isolation. It sits in a specific sequence of steps, and getting that sequence wrong has real consequences. Here's the correct order:
- Microchip confirmed - Your pet must have an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip before anything else happens. Every document references this number.
- Rabies vaccination - Must be given after the microchip is confirmed, by a USDA-accredited vet.
- Identity verification - Two separate USDA-accredited vets (through VEHCS) must verify your pet's identity and scan the microchip. This must happen before the blood draw to qualify for 10-day quarantine.
- RNATT blood draw - At least 30 days after rabies vaccination. Can be on the same day as the second identity verification vet visit - but the microchip scan must happen first.
- Sample shipped to approved lab - 180-day wait begins from lab receipt date.
- Once results are back: Obtain RNATT Declaration from USDA through VEHCS (your vet does this).
- Apply for import permit - Requires lab report, RNATT Declaration, and vaccination certificate.
The step people most commonly get wrong is identity verification. If the identity verification happens after the blood draw instead of before it, your pet's quarantine at Mickleham doubles from 10 days to 30 days. There are no exceptions and no appeals. Read the full explanation in the 10-day vs 30-day quarantine article.
What if the RNATT expires?
The RNATT is valid for 12 months from the date the blood was collected (not the lab receipt date - this is one of the few dates counted from the blood draw). If your pet doesn't enter Australia within 12 months of the blood draw, the RNATT expires and you need to redo the test and wait another 180 days.
This is why timing matters. If your move gets delayed, keep an eye on the 12-month expiry. If you're within 30 days of expiry and haven't departed, you should be making a decision: either move now or plan for a new blood draw and another 180-day wait.
Your pet's rabies vaccination must also remain current through the entire process, including through the end of quarantine. If the rabies vaccination expires during quarantine, this creates problems. Make sure the vaccination validity extends well past your expected quarantine release date.
What if my pet fails the RNATT?
A "fail" means the antibody titre came back below 0.5 IU/ml. This doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with your pet. Common causes include:
- The blood was drawn too soon after vaccination (less than 30 days)
- The sample was damaged in transit (not kept cold, delayed shipping)
- Your pet's individual immune response was lower than expected
If the result is below 0.5 IU/ml, your vet will typically recommend a rabies booster vaccination, followed by another blood draw at least 30 days later. The new sample goes to the lab, and a new 180-day clock starts from the date the lab receives the new sample. The original timeline is reset entirely.
Most pets pass on the first attempt. If your vet waits the full 30 days after vaccination and ships the sample correctly, failure is uncommon. But it does happen, and it's one of the reasons starting early - at least 8 to 10 months before your intended move - gives you a buffer.
What happens after you get the results?
Getting the results back is not the end of the RNATT process. There is one more step before you can apply for the import permit.
Once your RNATT laboratory results are in hand, your vet needs to obtain an endorsed RNATT Declaration from USDA. This is a separate document from the lab report itself - it is a USDA-endorsed certificate that accompanies your permit application and must also travel with your pet to Australia.
Your vet obtains it by submitting the RNATT laboratory report and rabies vaccination certificate to USDA through VEHCS (the Veterinary Export Health Certification System). Processing typically takes a few business days. You'll receive a certificate number from your vet when it's done.
This step surprises a lot of people because it's not well documented in the general guides. Without the RNATT Declaration, your import permit application to DAFF is incomplete and will not be processed. Make sure your vet is set up for VEHCS before the blood draw - it's one less thing to sort out when the results come back.
How the RNATT fits into the bigger picture
The RNATT is one step in a step-by-step process. It's the step that sets your timeline and the one with the most consequences for getting wrong. But it doesn't stand alone - it connects to identity verification (which must come before), the RNATT Declaration and import permit (which come after), and quarantine duration (which depends on getting the sequence right).
For the full process from start to finish, see the complete guide to moving your pet from the US to Australia. To make sure you find a vet who actually knows how to handle this paperwork, read how to find a USDA-accredited vet.
Frequently asked questions
The lab receipt date. This is the most commonly confused date in the process. The 180-day countdown begins on the day the approved laboratory receives and logs your pet's blood sample, not the day your vet draws the blood. Always confirm the lab receipt date in writing.
Typically 2–4 weeks from the date the lab receives the sample. The 180-day wait starts when the lab receives the sample, regardless of when results are returned. You don't need to wait for results before the clock starts - it's already running.
The blood draw must be done by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Your regular vet may or may not be accredited - ask them directly. Also confirm they are set up for VEHCS (the Veterinary Export Health Certification System), because after the results come back they will need to use VEHCS to obtain the endorsed RNATT Declaration for your import permit application. A vet who knows the Australia process will know exactly what you mean.
Yes. FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation) is the laboratory methodology name. RNATT (Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test) is the term used in Australian import regulations. They refer to the same test. If your vet or lab mentions either term, they're talking about the same thing.
It depends on which lab performed the test. Australia only accepts RNATT results from laboratories it has specifically approved. If your previous test was done at Kansas State, Auburn, or another DAFF-approved lab, and the result was 0.5 IU/ml or higher, and it's within 12 months of the blood draw date, it may be accepted. Confirm with DAFF before relying on a previous result.
Yes. The RNATT Declaration is a USDA-endorsed document separate from your RNATT laboratory report. After your results come back, your vet submits the lab report to USDA through VEHCS to obtain this declaration. It is required to apply for your import permit through DAFF's BICON system, and it must also accompany your pet during travel to Australia. Without it, your permit application is incomplete.