Taking Your Dogs and Cats to Australia
Dogs and cats from New Zealand may enter Australia with an export certificate without the need for an import permit.
A registered veterinarian approved by the New Zealand government (MAF) to certify dogs and cats being exported to Australia can provide you with the export certification required. Many private veterinarians in New Zealand are approved to do this and have the necessary export certificate to complete.
A review is currently underway on the system for certification for cats and dogs to Australia and updates are regularly posted on this page.
Managing the export process
- Check your pet meets the Australian export requirments by searching for the latest requirements.
- Check your local veterinarian is an approved veterinarian and has the export certificate. Find an alternate veterinarian who is approved, if required:
- List of approved veterinarians to certify dogs and cats to Australia.
- Check with your airline if they require you to use a pet exporter. We highly recommend that you use the services of a registered pet export company as they are familiar with the protocols and procedures necessary to export pets overseas.
- Organise a pet exporter.
- An approved cage
will be required. Your pet exporter can arrange this as will as provide you with the costs of exporting your pet. - For a dog, assemble council registration or veterinary records to show your dog has continuously lived in New Zealand, if required.
- Organise for a Justice of the Peace, or other authorised person to take a statutory declaration, for signing part of the certificate.
- Have any required tests done.
- Your approved veterinarian will organise an examination, within 72 hours of the scheduled time of shipment, to check your pet is physically fit to travel.
- Bon voyage!
For assistance please contact the Animal Exports Team on:
animalexports@maf.govt.nz
Page last updated: 22 August 2011