Pet Relocation to Australia

Who can bring a pet?

This route is for a privately owned dog or cat relocating with its owner. Australia does not accept a direct export from Indonesia. The pet must first move to an Australian-approved Group 1, 2 or 3 country, live there continuously for at least 180 days immediately before export, and meet that country’s complete Australian import conditions. Time under quarantine does not count toward the 180 days.

Microchip

The microchip identity must match every vaccination record, test report, permit and export certificate. The official vet in the approved country must be able to verify the chip and certify the documents for that country’s pathway.

Rabies vaccination

Australia does not accept rabies vaccinations or required testing performed in a non-approved country for this import pathway. The pet’s Australian preparation has to be completed in an approved country under that country’s current guide.

Rabies titre test

Rabies neutralising antibody testing is part of relevant approved-country pathways. The sample, laboratory, identity check and wait depend on the chosen country group. Do not draw blood in Indonesia and assume the result will count; DAFF says required testing and vaccination must occur in an approved country.

Import permit

An Australian import permit is required for the approved-country pathway. DAFF says assessment can take up to 123 business days for some applications, so the permit stage alone can take months. Do not move the pet to an intermediary country until the pathway and permit sequence have been confirmed.

Government documents

Expect a microchip record, complete vaccination history, rabies test report where required, Australian import permit, and the exporting country’s government-endorsed veterinary health certificate. DAFF uses country-specific certificates; the approved-country authority must be willing to certify the pet’s full 180-day residency and preparation. Separately, when a pet actually leaves Indonesia, Barantin asks the sender to report the export through PTK Online and provide destination-required veterinary documents, vaccination records and, for dogs and cats, a protective rabies titre result. The pet is then presented at a designated exit point for quarantine inspection; an Animal Health Certificate is issued if requirements are met. If the final export is from a third country, use that country’s export certificate instead.

Quarantine and arrival inspection

Post-entry quarantine applies. The minimum period depends on the route and documents; DAFF notes that a missing identity declaration or chip evidence can increase quarantine to at least 30 days. Check the current permit and DAFF guide for the exact booking and stay before arranging flights.

Airline requirements

This is a multi-country move, so each airline segment must accept the animal, route and crate. Confirm transit-country entry or airside-transit rules as well as Australian arrival arrangements before booking; an airport connection is not automatically a permitted pet transit.

Travel crate

The crate must be accepted by every operating carrier and sized so the animal can stand naturally, turn around and lie down. Ask the carrier to assess the exact crate and aircraft. Do not sedate the pet for air travel unless a veterinarian and carrier explicitly advise a safe, permitted plan.

Timeline

Plan for at least six months in the approved country, plus vaccination and testing windows, permit assessment, export certification, quarantine booking and flight availability. DAFF advises allowing at least six months overall; the 180-day residency alone makes a short-notice move unrealistic.

Cost factors

Budget for the approved-country relocation and 180-day care, veterinary visits, vaccines and laboratory tests, import-permit assessment, government certification, air freight, compliant crate, transit handling, Australian quarantine and local delivery. Prices vary by pet size, country, route and permit conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Can my pet fly directly from Indonesia to Australia?

No. Indonesia is not an approved export country. The pet may qualify only through an approved country after at least 180 continuous days of residence immediately before export and completion of that country’s Australian import requirements.

Will a rabies titre test done in Indonesia count?

Do not rely on it. DAFF states that required testing and vaccination must take place in an approved country for this pathway. Confirm the test laboratory and timing in the chosen country guide.

How early should I start?

Start before moving the pet to another country. The approved-country residency, required testing and permit review can take many months, and DAFF recommends allowing at least six months.

Official sources

Checked against the linked official sources on 24 October 2026. Rules can change; verify again before preparing your pet.

Pet relocation from Indonesia to Australia