Bringing a Cat to Australia when Migrating.
Some cats are not allowed in to Australia, but most are.
There are restrictions on cats coming from some countries. (Animals from non-approved countries are not eligible for direct import to Australia. )
There are also restrictions on some Hybrid cats, these for example are not permitted:
- Savannah cat, domestic cat (Felis catus) crossed with serval cat (Felis serval)
- Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi)
- Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat (Felis chaus)
- Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).
More info at Cats and dogs frequently asked questions – Department of Agriculture
Your cat might get a flight into Australia easier than you can, as they travel in cargo.
The will undergo a minimum 10 day quarantine isolation period in the Australian Government Post-Entry Quarantine Facility in Melbourne.
You then collect from Melbourne after quarantine.
Quarantine Costs for a Cat coming to Australia.
The minimum cost to import one cat or dog that undergoes the minimum 10 days quarantine is $2,000. (May 2021)
Some Covid related info from: Cat and Dog imports to Australia – impact of COVID-19
Can I still import my cat to Australia during COVID?
Yes. Provided you hold a valid import permit and meet all import requirements, cats can be imported to Australia. The Post-Entry Quarantine facility is fully operational and is continuing to take booking requests to meet demand for PEQ animal reservations.
Passenger flights are hard to book. Are there other options to fly my pet to Australia?
Yes. Animals are frequently being imported on cargo flights. Private/charter flights are also being used to import cats and dogs.
Cats being imported from Group 1, 2 or 3 Countries.
Cats from New Zealand and Norfolk Island do not require an import permit to enter Australia.
Cats from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands do require an import permit.
Cats coming to Australia from group 2 countries.
Group 2 countries are described as approved rabies-free countries, and must be accompanied by a valid import permit.
Group 2 countries (described as approved rabies-free countries): American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tonga (Kingdom of), Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna.
(www.agriculture.gov.au/…/category2-step-by-step-guide-for-cats)
Cats coming to Australia from group 3 countries.
Group 3 countries are those in which rabies is absent or well-controlled, and must be accompanied by a valid import permit.
Group 3 countries are: Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia (Republic of), Cyprus (Republic of), Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands , Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa (Republic of), South Korea (Republic of), Spain (including Canary and Balearic Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America (excluding Guam and Hawaii), Uruguay, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (United States of America).
(www.agriculture.gov.au/…/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-cats)
Cats from non-approved countries are not eligible for direct import to Australia.
Options for non-approved countries are:
- Move your cat to a group 3 country and follow the standard Group 3: step by step guide for cats.
- Move your cat to a group 2 country, stay there for at least six (6) months, then follow the standard Group 2: step by step guide for cats.
(www.agriculture.gov.au/…/step-by-step-guides/nac-cat2and3cats)
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