Dog Walks
Melbourne Airport’s international terminal

Quarantine

Pet quarantine in Australia

Every imported cat and dog finishes its journey at one place, the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility near Melbourne. Here is what happens from touchdown to release.

Photo: DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

By the Dog Walks editorial team · Updated · 3 min read

Quarantine is the part of the move owners worry about most. It helps to know that it is short for most pets, that the facility is purpose-built, and that DAFF will keep you updated. The hard work happens before your pet flies.

A short history

Australia once had quarantine stations in several cities. The original Dog Walks operated in the Sydney, Perth and Melbourne stations, walking and visiting pets. On 3 February 2014, new rules cut the minimum stay for qualifying pets from 30 days to 10, and visits ended on 3 March 2014. A new, centralised facility at Mickleham, on Melbourne’s northern fringe, opened in late 2015 and is now the only place where imported cats and dogs are quarantined.

Arrival day

  • Your pet must land directly at Melbourne International Airport as manifested cargo.
  • A DAFF biosecurity officer collects your pet on arrival and takes it to Mickleham.
  • DAFF says it will email you within 24 hours to confirm your pet has arrived safely, and contact you immediately if there is a problem.

Inside Mickleham

DAFF describes large, individual, climate-controlled enclosures, quality food and enrichment, with health updates sent by email. Staff check that your pet is healthy and free from pests and diseases of concern, and assess its documents against the permit conditions. Read our Mickleham guide.

How long?

  • Minimum 10 days for Group 2 pets and for Group 3 pets with a valid identity check done before the RNATT (or Australian-origin pets with Australian export documents).
  • Minimum 30 days for Group 3 pets without that identity check.
  • Longer if there are document problems, parasites, or anything else that raises biosecurity risk. DAFF says stays can extend up to 180 days.

1

Quarantine facility

Mickleham, Victoria

24 hrs

Arrival email

DAFF confirms safe arrival

10 or 30

Minimum days

Depends on group and ID check

Release and the trip home

Pay your account in full before release. If you live outside Victoria, plan the next leg: drive, use a domestic pet transport service or book a domestic flight with an airline that carries pets. Your agent can usually arrange this.

Preparing your pet

  • Get your pet used to its travel crate well before the flight.
  • Don’t put toys, medication or valuables in the crate. DAFF destroys them as biosecurity waste.
  • Ask your vet about medication needs early. DAFF has strict rules on medicating animals in quarantine.

Quarantine preparation

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Guides in this section

Planning your own arrival

Many families time their own flight to arrive before their pet's quarantine period ends. That way you can sign a lease that allows pets, buy food and bedding, find a local vet and register with your council before release day. If you are moving to another state, plan how you will get your pet from Melbourne to your new home, by car or on a domestic flight, as domestic airlines have their own pet rules.

Guides in this section

Frequently asked questions

Do pets from New Zealand go to quarantine?

Group 1 countries such as New Zealand have simpler conditions and pets from there generally do not need post entry quarantine, but they must still meet DAFF's eligibility and documentation rules. Check the current DAFF guide for your pet.

Who pays for quarantine?

The owner or importer pays. DAFF charges fees for the import permit and the quarantine stay, and these are separate from your agent's fees and the airfare.

Can my pet do quarantine at home?

No. DAFF says cats and dogs can only do post entry quarantine at the Mickleham facility in Melbourne.

Can I visit my pet in quarantine?

Check DAFF’s current visiting policy. The original Dog Walks visiting service ended in 2014, when DAFF ended visits at the old stations, and DAFF now provides updates by email.

What if my pet lands in Sydney or Perth?

Pets must arrive directly at Melbourne International Airport. DAFF does not allow domestic transfers, such as landing in Sydney and flying on to Melbourne.

Who pays for quarantine?

You do. DAFF says quarantine costs must be paid in full before your pet is released.

Sources and further reading

Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.

  1. How to bring your dog to Australia from a Group 3 country — Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
  2. Cats and dogs frequently asked questions — DAFF
  3. Step-by-step guides to bring your cat or dog to Australia — DAFF