Bringing a pet to Australia is a complex process, with strict regulations and a mandatory quarantine. For pets coming from countries like the United States, Australia’s pet identity verification process is an added layer for pet owners to navigate.

This process ensures that pets coming to Australia are accurately identified. The ID Verification Process is optional for pets from the U.S., meeting the requirements means a shorter quarantine period from 30 days to just 10 days for imported cats and dogs.

Australia introduced pet identity verification on March 1, 2023, but importation rollouts have been more recent in the U.S., Canada, and throughout Europe. Some vets may not even be aware of available forms and extra steps to take to meet requirements and cut your pet’s quarantine stay.

This guide explains the process step-by-step so that you’re as prepared as possible to handle your pet’s move to Australia and keep their post-entry quarantine as short as possible.

ID Verification Requirements

The only pets completely exempt from the ID verification process are those arriving from a Group 1 country or region. The list is a short one: New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Cocos Island. Pets that were previously of Australian Origin that are returning are also exempt from this process.

The complexity of import rules from there depends on whether your pet is coming from a rabies-free country or region in Group 2 or an origin point at a higher risk of rabies in Group 3. Pets coming from Group 2 countries or regions — this includes Hawaii — are required to undergo ID verification. It’s optional for Group 3 countries, like the U.S., United Kingdom, and Ireland, but it’s highly recommended to avoid a longer stay at a post-entry quarantine facility.

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Microchip Implantation

Your pet will need a microchip before their identity verification, as scanning the chip is how your pet’s identity is confirmed. Microchips should be implanted before any official testing or treatments.

That includes the Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT), a required test for pets from Group 3 countries. If your pet is microchipped after their blood sample, their results won’t count, and you’ll have to repeat the process.

Microchips should be ISO compatible. This means your pet’s chip meets identification standards set by the International Standards Organization and can be read by universal scanners.

Your pet’s microchip number should be 10 or 15 digits in length. Avoid chips that start with 999, as these won’t be uniquely identifiable.

Any issues with your pet’s microchip could delay entry into Australia, although the ID process should uncover any issues with scanning before your arrival in the country. Pet passports, tags, and other forms of ID are no replacement for an ISO-compliant microchip.

In the case of multiple microchips, both numbers should be included on your pet’s import permit paperwork and any lab testing results. Both should be scanned at every vet visit to keep documents consistent over the course of pet travel.

Identity Declaration

Pet ID verification is a multi-step process. Pets traveling to Australia from the U.S. must be taken to a USDA-accredited vet who completes an identity declaration.

They can do so within the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), an online system for tracking veterinary health certificates. VEHCS is an extension of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

That same vet will take a color photo of your pet and the microchip scanner showing their microchip number. From there, the form and photo evidence go to the USDA for endorsement.

You’re not done yet. You’ll then need to take your pet to a different USDA-accredited vet to repeat the process with a new identity declaration form and photo evidence. This second vet should be at a different clinic.

The USDA will review and endorse this second round of identity documents, too. You should receive the endorsed certificate numbers from both vets as part of the process.

The final piece is submitting a request for completion form. This can be done by either vet, but must be done within 3 months of your pet’s first microchip scanning. The vet can complete this online in the VEHCS system. There are separate fees associated with each step of the process.

Once approved, the USDA forwards the signed declaration directly to Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Officials at the USDA mark your identity declaration certificate as “completed” at this point in the VEHCS.

You’ll have a copy of the endorsed declaration to attach to your pet’s export health certificate. This is what you’ll need to avoid a longer quarantine stay for your pet upon arrival in Australia.

Timeline

The pet identity verification process must be completed before the RNATT and at least 180 days before your pet’s arrival in Australia. (Your pet’s titer can be done on the same day as your pet’s second microchip scanning, as long as your pet is scanned first.)

This is crucial because the timing directly affects your pet’s eligibility for a 10-day vs. 30-day quarantine. If the identity declaration is done after your pet’s titer test, the results won’t be valid, and you’ll have to repeat the test and restart the 180-day countdown.

Plan to start the ID verification process at least 7 to 8 months before travel to give yourself time for 2 veterinary visits, USDA endorsement, and potential processing delays.

RNATT

The RNATT is a laboratory blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in a pet’s bloodstream. It confirms that your pet has developed sufficient immunity from recent rabies vaccinations, and it’s mandatory for pets arriving in Australia from Group 3 countries.

After your pet’s microchip has been implanted and verified through Australia’s identity verification process, a vet can draw a sample for the RNATT to ensure test results are linked to the right pet. The threshold for Australia (and countries that require it) is antibody levels of at least 0.5 IU/mL.

Once results are received, you’ll count 180 days from the date the blood was drawn. This is the minimum waiting period before the pet can enter Australia, assuming all other import conditions are met along the way.

Impacts on Quarantine

Australia’s pet identity verification process directly impacts the amount of time your pet spends at a quarantine facility upon arrival. If the ID verification is completed correctly and on time, pets are eligible for the minimum 10-day quarantine.

If the timing is off or you miss any piece of the process, your pet may be subject to a longer quarantine of at least 30 days, or in some cases, denied entry altogether. Pets complete their stay at the Post-Entry Quarantine Facility in Mickleham near Melbourne, not Sydney.

Pet verification doesn’t shorten quarantine beyond the standard 10 days, but it does prevent unnecessary delays and ensures your pet isn’t penalized with an extended stay.

Working with pet transport experts to navigate each step of the process can reduce the stress and worry of a potentially lengthy quarantine.

Necessary Documentation

We’ve detailed what you’ll need to meet ID verification requirements already, but there are a few additional documents to gather before your pet is ready for departure. USDA-accredited vets should have a handle on completing many of these forms virtually through the VEHCS.

Here’s what you should add to your pet’s packing list, including a summary of required identity paperwork:

Health certificate: Group 3 pets need a health certificate signed by an accredited vet prior to export. U.S. certificates include a section on leptospirosis vaccination/testing, canine influenza, and Brucella canis for dogs that aren’t spayed or neutered.
RNATT declaration: USDA-endorsed copies and copies of relevant laboratory reports and rabies vaccination certificates should be attached to your pet’s health documents.
Pet identity declaration: This is the last step of the multi-part pet ID process. The final version is digitally signed by the USDA and sent directly to the Australian government.
Import permit: Import permit applications are completed online on the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) portal. You’ll need your pet’s RNATT results to apply for a permit.
Quarantine booking confirmation: Once your pet has their import permit, you can book quarantine accommodations and pay relevant fees for their stay. You can use the online Post Entry Biosecurity System or contact the facility directly.

Before travel, pets also need an external parasite treatment for ticks and fleas and an internal parasite treatment for nematodes and cestodes.

The airline you choose to get your pet to Australia may have additional requirements for you to meet for a smooth check-in process. That may include rules around IATA-compliant crates and breed verification for certain dog breeds, as Australia has a ban on breeds defined as dangerous. (This includes American pit bull terriers, Japanese tosa, and Presa Canario.)

The Takeaway

Importing a pet to Australia requires careful planning, and pet identity verification is an essential step for pets coming from the U.S. When done correctly, accurate ID verification ensures your pet qualifies for the minimum 10-day quarantine and a smooth import process.

FAQs

urrently, there are no commercial airlines that allow pets to travel from Australia to the U.S. in-cabin. The exception is certified service animals. Pets must then travel as manifest cargo.

At Tailwind, this is our preferred mode of transport for traveling dogs and cats. It’s the best way to ensure the most direct route from the country of export to your destination and avoid extra days of travel.A professional pet shipper can help with those logistics. In fact, some airlines require you to work with a pet shipper to ensure you’re meeting each piece of the import process.

You can bring your dog and other approved live animals from Australia to the U.S. Australia is considered rabies-free, so the process is relatively straightforward.

To meet CDC import requirements, all you need is a CDC Dog Import Form. Your dog must also have a microchip, be at least 6 months old, and appear healthy upon arrival.

Traveling Internationally? Tailwind Is Here to Help

At Tailwind, we know how overwhelming navigating strict import rules can be. In the case of Australia, missing even one piece can result in lengthy quarantine stays.

From timing your pet’s ID verification to coordinating testing and endorsement, we know each step matters because we work with traveling pets every day.

Our experience, attention to detail, and direct communication with you and agencies on the other side will make your pet’s journey abroad as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request.

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Australian ID Verification for Pet Import