USA → Australia pet relocation
Moving to Australia? We'll get your cat or dog there safely & handle every requirement along the way.
From microchips and titer tests to quarantine bookings and flight logistics, we manage it all, start to finish. So you don't have to become a compliance expert to bring your best friend home.
Family-owned since 1978. IPATA charter member & IATA member.
We handle the whole journey
You focus on the move. We'll get your pet there.
Australia's rules are strict and unforgiving of mistakes. Here's how we take the entire process off your plate, one clear step at a time.
Free quote
Tell us about your pet, your dates, and your destination. No obligation, just a clear plan and price.
Your travel plan
We build a personalized itinerary, prioritizing the most direct routing to minimize your pet's time in transit.
Paperwork, managed
We coordinate USDA-accredited veterinarians for every test, certificate, and permit — on exactly the right timeline.
In our care
Door-to-door pickup is available, with constant updates from the moment your pet is with us.
Safe arrival
We support you through quarantine and reunion, including trusted in-country partners like Jetpets in Australia.
Inside Pet Express
Where your pet is cared for like our own
Climate-controlled play spaces, comfortable suites, and a team that treats every guest like family. From drop-off to the drive home.
🇦🇺 Bringing a pet to Australia
What Australia requires, put simply.
Australia is rabies-free and protects that with some of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world. Here's every box that has to be ticked. We manage all of it.
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ISO microchip
A compliant microchip must be in place and readable before any other step counts.
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Rabies vaccination
A current rabies vaccination, timed correctly against the blood test that follows.
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Rabies antibody blood test (RNATT)
A lab test proving the vaccine worked. This test starts Australia's mandatory waiting clock.
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Import permit
An official permit from Australian authorities, applied for and tracked on your behalf.
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Brucella canis test (intact dogs)
Required for dogs that aren't spayed or neutered — we'll tell you immediately if it applies.
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The ~180-day waiting period
Australia requires roughly a 180-day wait after the blood test before travel. It's government policy — no one can shortcut it — but most of it is spent at home with you, and we build your entire calendar around it so there are no surprises.
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Quarantine near Melbourne
Every pet enters through a government facility near Melbourne. Done correctly and early, the stay can be as short as 10 days; done late or wrong, it can stretch to 30. This is exactly why an expert beats DIY.
The single most common — and most costly — mistake is starting too late. Because of the waiting period, the calendar drives everything. The best day to request a quote is today.
Quarantine, demystified
We know the quarantine part is scary...
Quarantine is the number-one fear we hear. Here's the straight truth, so you know exactly what to expect.
Will my pet be alone the whole time?
No. For Australia, the long ~180-day wait happens at home with you — not in a facility. The in-facility quarantine stay itself can be as short as 10 days when paperwork is done right.
Can I get updates during quarantine?
Facilities have set rules on contact and visits, which vary by destination. We set accurate expectations up front and keep you informed at every stage.
Why is quarantine required at all?
Australia is rabies-free and protects that status with strict biosecurity — applied to every pet, no matter who ships them. It's about the whole country, not your pet specifically.
Pets we've brought home
Thousands of safe arrivals. Here are a few.
Real families, real pets, real journeys home to Australia. Rated 4.9 out of 5 across 340+ Google reviews.
“Ziva's big journey went perfectly. They handled paperwork I never could have figured out on my own.”
“Charlie's move from the USA to Sydney was seamless. Constant updates meant we never had to worry.”
“Sweet Coco Bear's trip home to Australia was handled with so much care. Worth every penny.”
Airline partners
Flying with the airlines built for pet travel
We work directly with the world's leading airlines to secure the safest, most direct routing for your pet. Prioritizing fewer layovers and shorter time in transit.
Crates & in-flight safety
Is flying really safe for my pet?
Yes. Here's why.
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Climate-controlled, pressurized holds
Pets travel in a temperature-controlled compartment on the same air system as the cabin.
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Airline-trained animal welfare staff
Specialist ground teams handle boarding, transfers, and care between flights.
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IATA-compliant, airline-approved crates
We won't let a pet fly in an inadequate crate. And we'll guide you through crate training so travel day feels familiar.
Crates & safe handling
The right crate for every pet, handled with care
IATA-compliant, airline-approved crates sized to your pet, plus careful door-to-door handling from your home to the aircraft.
Common questions
A few questions on travelling to Australia
How long will my pet be in quarantine in Australia?
Every pet enters through a government facility near Melbourne. With paperwork completed correctly and early, the stay can be as short as 10 days; if it's done late or incorrectly, it can stretch to 30. The longer ~180-day waiting period happens at home with you, not in a facility.
How far in advance do I need to start the process?
For Australia, most pet owners should start 8–10+ months before their move date. The mandatory waiting period after the rabies blood test drives the whole timeline, so starting early is the single biggest factor in a smooth move.
Is it safe for my pet to fly internationally?
Yes. Pets travel in climate-controlled, pressurized holds on the same air system as the passenger cabin, handled by airline-trained animal welfare staff, in IATA-compliant crates. We plan the most direct routing available to minimize time in transit.
What documents does my pet need?
It depends on the destination, but typically an ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody blood test, an import permit, and one or more veterinary health certificates. Australia adds a Brucella test for intact dogs. We manage every document on the correct timeline.
What does this cost?
Cost depends on your pet's size, your route, and your destination's requirements. That's exactly why we start with a free, no-obligation quote — so you get a clear, all-in picture with no hidden surprises.
Do you offer door-to-door pickup and delivery?
Yes. Door-to-door pickup is available, and because Australia's quarantine facility is near Melbourne regardless of your final destination, we and partners like Jetpets handle delivery anywhere in Australia after release.
What happens if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
We monitor your pet's journey and manage rebooking, connections, and care if plans change — so a delay never leaves your pet stranded or you in the dark.
Will I be updated while my pet is traveling?
Absolutely. You'll get updates from the moment your pet is in our care through to safe arrival and reunion. Staying informed is a core part of what we do.
Get your free quote
Let's plan your pet's journey to Australia.
Tell us a little about your move. We'll come back with a clear plan, an honest timeline, and a no-obligation quote.
- ✓ Free & no-obligation
- ✓ We flag breed or timing issues before you spend a cent
- ✓ Family-owned experts since 1978
Prefer to talk it through? Call us toll-free:
866-738-6683
Request a Quote
Takes about a minute. We'll handle the rest.