Moving a dog or cat from the United States to Australia is doable, but it’s not a “book a flight and go” kind of move. Australia protects its biosecurity status with strict import conditions, and cats and dogs complete post-entry quarantine at Mickleham (near Melbourne), not at home.

In this guide, you’ll learn what quarantine looks like, how long it can be, what “Group 3” countries mean, and why timing around RNATT matters.

Updated for 2026: current Australian quarantine rules and timelines

If you’d rather have an expert verify the timing, paperwork order, and routing for your exact origin city, start here: Request a Quote

What “Australian quarantine” actually means (and where it happens)

For cats and dogs, Australia’s government-run post-entry quarantine is provided at the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria, near Melbourne.

A few key points worth knowing before you plan:

  • Quarantine is not at home: Cats and dogs can only complete post-entry quarantine at Mickleham (with different conditions for some eligible assistance dogs).
  • Most pets needing quarantine arrive into Melbourne: Australia notes that most cats and dogs that require PEQ (Group 2 and Group 3) must arrive on an international flight into Melbourne International Airport to undergo quarantine at Mickleham.
  • Quarantine reservations happen in Australia’s system: Bookings are made through the Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS).
  • The handoff is structured and regulated: That’s normal and part of the biosecurity process.

Note for birds and other pets: This article focuses on dogs and cats because Mickleham PEQ guidance is published for them. If you’re relocating a bird or another type of pet, requirements and entry processes can be different: request a quote and we’ll confirm what applies to your species and route.

How long is quarantine for pets arriving in Australia?

Australia’s FAQ explains that all cats and dogs must stay at Mickleham for at least 10–30 days and up to 180 days, and longer stays can occur if issues increase biosecurity risk.

That range depends on things like:

  • your pet’s origin category (how Australia classifies the exporting location)
  • whether identity verification was completed correctly (more on this below)
  • whether documents, timing windows, and test results line up cleanly
  • whether anything needs follow-up once your pet arrives

What are “Group 3” locations (and is the U.S. one of them)?

Australia groups approved exporting locations for cats and dogs. In Australia’s guidance, Group 3 countries are approved countries where rabies is present, but well controlled.

Is the United States a Group 3 country for Australia pet imports?

Yes. Australia’s Group 3 list includes “United States of America (excluding Guam and Hawaii)”.

What about Hawaii and Guam?

Australia’s step-by-step guidance lists Guam and Hawaii separately in its location groupings, which is why official forms often treat “U.S. (excluding Guam and Hawaii)” differently from “Hawaii/Guam.”

To confirm your location and find the correct government checklist, start here:
Step-by-step guides (Australia)

Why the U.S. to Australia timeline takes months (RNATT + the waiting period)

Australia repeatedly emphasizes this is a complex process and you should allow at least 6 months to complete the steps.

A big reason the timeline is long is the rabies testing sequence and the waiting period tied to it. In the Group 3 cat guide, Australia notes that cats and dogs residing in a Group 3 country must have lived in an approved country for at least 180 days before export, calculated from the date the RNATT sample arrives at the laboratory.

A typical high-level flow looks like this:

  • microchip verification and baseline checks
  • rabies vaccination and the Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)
  • the waiting period tied to RNATT timing
  • applying for an import permit (more below)
  • final treatments, certificate steps, and travel booking into Melbourne (for pets requiring PEQ)

Official Australian step-by-step guides:

Official U.S. export resource (bookmark it):
USDA APHIS: Pet Travel from the U.S. to Australia

Group 3 quarantine: 30 days vs 10 days (and why identity verification changes everything)

This is where planning can really pay off.

Australia’s Group 3 dog guide explains that confirming identity is an optional step that can reduce the minimum quarantine period from 30 days to 10 days, but it must be done correctly and before RNATT blood sampling.

The practical takeaway:

  • If identity verification is completed properly (and in the right order), quarantine may be reduced
  • If steps are done out of sequence, it can lock you into the longer minimum stay or trigger rework

Import permits and quarantine bookings: what people miss

Two timing realities matter here:

  1. Permits take time. Australia notes most permits are issued in 20–40 business days, but it can take up to 123 business days in some cases.
  2. You can’t book quarantine until you have the permit. Australia’s FAQ says you can only book quarantine accommodation once you have your import permit and a valid permit number.

Permit info: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/permit Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
Quarantine booking system (PEBS): https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/arrival/post-entry-quarantine Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

Quarantine costs at Mickleham: what you’ll pay (AUD)

Quarantine at Mickleham includes Australian government fees, and your total usually depends on whether your pet qualifies for the minimum 10-day or 30-day stay, plus any extras (for example, additional document checks, inspections, extra services, or an extended stay). Australia’s FAQ estimates the total cost to import one cat or dog at about AUD $3,000 (minimum 10 days) or AUD $4,100 (minimum 30 days), with extra charges possible depending on your case.

Click here for official cost estimate (10 vs 30 days)

Typical government fees you may see (AUD)

Import permit

  • First pet in a consignment: AUD $603 (lodgement $130 + assessment $473)
  • Each additional pet in the same consignment: AUD $288

Quarantine booking + intake

  • Quarantine reservation charge (per pet): AUD $269
  • Importation/confirmation charge (per pet): AUD $1,078

Quarantine accommodation (daily husbandry fee)

  • AUD $53/day
  • 10 days: AUD $530
  • 30 days: AUD $1,590
  • Overstay: AUD $53/day

Possible add-on costs (case-by-case)

  • Document assessment: AUD $80 per 30 minutes (if required)
  • Inspection fee: AUD $80 per 30 minutes (if required)
  • Airline/terminal release handling (paid by the department on your behalf): AUD $170–$350 (varies by airline/airway bill)
  • Out-of-hours collection (if applicable): AUD $170 weekdays / AUD $180 weekends & public holidays
  • Extra services or non-compliance admin fees: AUD $80 per 30 minutes (examples include grooming appointments or private vet visits)
  • Private / emergency veterinary care: charged as incurred (varies)

Convert 1 AUD to USD using today’s live rate here

Quarantine is only part of the budget. Our guide to how much pet shipping costs covers the flight, crate, and paperwork side of the move.

Want a realistic estimate for your pet and dates?

If you’d like, Pet Travel Advisors can confirm the likely quarantine pathway for your situation, then quote realistic cost ranges around your route and target timeline:
https://pettraveladvisors.com/request-a-quote/

What your pet experiences at Mickleham (so you can prepare emotionally, too)

It’s normal to feel anxious about quarantine. Mickleham is a regulated environment designed to protect Australia’s biosecurity while providing care for cats and dogs during quarantine.

From a practical standpoint, the best prep tends to be:

  • a pet that is comfortable in a travel crate
  • a clean paperwork trail (microchip number consistency matters)
  • a flight plan that avoids last-minute changes

Helpful reads from Pet Travel Advisors:

Starting from one of our priority hubs?

A lot of U.S. to Australia moves start in major gateways. If you’re beginning in Atlanta or Los Angeles, or you’re planning from Texas or Florida, it helps to start with your local service page and then build the international timeline around it:

Common U.S. to Australia mistakes that cause delays

Finally, here are the delay triggers we see most often:

  • Starting too late (Australia recommends months, not weeks)
  • Doing steps in the wrong order (especially around identity verification and RNATT timing)
  • Booking flights before permit/quarantine timing is locked
  • Crate issues (sizing/setup or a pet that isn’t comfortable in it)

Want a clear plan and timeline for your U.S. to Australia move?

Australia’s process is detailed, and one small mismatch can cascade into delays. Pet Travel Advisors can help you verify what applies, map a realistic timeline, coordinate documentation, and plan routing into Melbourne with quarantine in mind.

Start here: https://pettraveladvisors.com/request-a-quote/
Questions first? https://pettraveladvisors.com/contact/
Phone: 1-877-540-0555
Email: info@pettraveladvisors.com

Frequently asked questions

How long is quarantine for US pets arriving in Australia?

Most dogs and cats from the US complete a minimum 10 day stay at the Mickleham facility near Melbourne. Gaps in identity verification or paperwork can stretch the stay to 30 days, so the pre-travel sequence matters.

Where do pets quarantine in Australia?

All imported cats and dogs complete post-entry quarantine at Mickleham, near Melbourne. Home quarantine is not an option, so routes are planned into Melbourne even when your final destination is another city.

Why does a US to Australia pet move take months?

The rabies titer test (RNATT) and its mandatory waiting period drive the timeline, alongside the import permit and quarantine booking. Most moves take several months from the first vet visit to arrival, so start early.

Planning the full move, not just the quarantine stay? Our step-by-step guide to pet shipping from the USA to Australia covers the permit, titer, and flight sequence from first vet visit to Mickleham release.

How much does Australian quarantine cost from the US?

Australia’s own estimate is about AUD $3,000 for a minimum 10 day stay and about AUD $4,100 for a 30 day stay, per cat or dog, with extra charges possible in some cases. Flights, the import permit, USDA paperwork, and the crate are separate line items on top.

Can I book quarantine before I have the import permit?

No, and this trips up a lot of timelines. Australia only lets you book quarantine accommodation at Mickleham once you hold a valid import permit number. Permit first, booking second, which is why the order of steps matters as much as the steps themselves.

What is daily life like for a pet at Mickleham?

Mickleham is a regulated care facility, not a kennel of last resort. Pets are housed individually, fed, monitored, and cared for by staff while the biosecurity clearance runs its course. Knowing that helps many owners handle the separation, which is often harder on the human than the pet.

Can I visit my pet at Mickleham during quarantine?

No. The Department of Agriculture does not permit visits to animals in post entry quarantine. Stays are short, most run 10 to 30 days, and staff handle feeding, daily exercise, and any grooming needed for welfare or hygiene reasons. The facility contacts you if anything needs a decision, like a specialist grooming appointment or private vet care. Plan the reunion for release day instead.