International Pet Transport

Get your pet safely to Australia from New Zealand with trusted international pet movers.

I’ve researched your options for safely taking your beloved pet from New Zealand to Australia. Below is a step-by-step guide outlining the eligibility and requirements for your cat or dog to move to Australia with you.

To move your pet to Australia from New Zealand, you must follow the guidelines set by the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Cats and dogs coming to Australia from New Zealand do not require an import permit, and there is no post-entry quarantine period in Australia.

What this post covers:

• Importing a cat or dog into Australia
• Moving cats or dogs from NZ to Australia
• Costs to move your pet to Australia
• Using a registered pet exporter
• Cat breeds that are prohibited for export
• Dog breeds that are prohibited for export
• Step-by-step guide for importing cats and dogs into Australia
• Booking directly with an Airline
• International Pet Transport FAQs
• Get a quote to move your pet to Australia

Importing a cat or dog into Australia

The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources regulates the import of cats and dogs into Australia to:

• protect our agriculture and environment from biosecurity risks
• protect the health of humans, cats, dogs, and other animals. 

Moving cats or dogs from NZ to Australia

Cats and dogs moving to Australia from New Zealand do not require an import permit. However, import conditions apply.

• The conditions on the required health certification take precedence over any other source of information (your pet mover will organise this for you).
• Cats and dogs must comply with all conditions on the health certification (info below).
• Failure to comply with the conditions of the health certification may result in the animal being (at your cost):
  • moved to and held in post-entry quarantine
  • subject to additional testing
  • exported
  • euthanased
• A registered veterinarian must perform all veterinary procedures listed below (your pet mover will organise this for you).
• There is no mandatory quarantine period for cats and dogs from New Zealand. 

Costs to move your pet to Australia

If you have a cat or dog and are planning on moving to Australia, then, of course, you are wondering how much it will cost. The cost to fly your cat or dog from New Zealand to Australia depends on the destination, the breed, the size of the pet you are transporting, and whether you need collection and delivery.

As a rough guide, it will cost approximately $2,000 to move a cat to Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth) with Air NZ.

Dogs cost approximately $2,000-$3,000 to move to Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth), and with Air NZ, extra large dogs will cost more.

This above includes the vet work and airline-approved crate. Cats and dogs coming to Australia from New Zealand do not require an import permit and have no Australian post-entry quarantine period, which saves you hundreds.

However, this price increases if you need your dog or cat collected from your NZ home and delivered to your new home in Australia.

Using a registered pet exporter

MPI recommends you use a registered pet exporter to help arrange tests, treatments, flights, crates and other requirements. Most airlines will only deal with a pet exporter as this adds the assurance that all requirements will be completed at the appropriate time before departure. Fees and charges apply. 

MPI-approved veterinarians

New Zealand has an agreement with Australia that makes exporting your cat or dog easier. Unlike most other countries, you don’t need an Animal Welfare Export Certificate.

Before sending your cat or dog to Australia, contact an MPI-approved veterinarian. They’re authorised to certify your pet is fit and healthy for travel. And they sign the export certificate. Your pet mover will organise this for you. 

Get a suitable crate and other provisions for travel

Your pet will need to travel in an approved crate and have other provisions to comply with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Your pet exporter can arrange this for you. It’s a good idea to get your crate early and get your pet used to being in and around it. 

Do you need an owner’s statutory declaration?

If someone is exporting your cat or dog to Australia on your behalf (for example, a registered pet exporter or a representative), you need to complete an owner statutory declaration.  An owner’s statutory declaration has to be witnessed by an authorised person like a Justice of the Peace (JP) or a lawyer. MPI-approved vets require the original owner statutory declaration form so that the nominated person presenting the cat or dog to them can sign all the necessary documents on your behalf. Note that you don’t need a declaration form to present your cat and dog for export certification.

Download the owner statutory declaration form [PDF, 187 KB]. 

Cat breeds that are prohibited for export

There are certain breeds of cats that are not eligible to be imported into Australia from New Zealand:

• In accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids are not eligible for import. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:
  • Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus Bengalensis)
  • Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis Geoffroy)
  • Savannah cat, domestic cat (Felis catus) crossed with serval cat (Felis serval)
  • Chausie, a domestic cat, is crossed with Jungle cat (Felis Chaus).

Please note, in certain circumstances, the Department may permit the import of Bengal cats that are five generations or more removed from their wild ancestor. If you plan to import a Bengal cat, please contact the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water at exotic.species@dcceew.gov.au to confirm your cat satisfies the requirements before you apply for an import permit. 

Dog breeds that are prohibited for export

There are certain breeds of dogs that are not eligible to be imported into Australia from New Zealand:

• Domestic/non-domestic hybrids (e.g. wolf-dog crosses) are not eligible for import. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
  • Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound
  • Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
  • Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog.

Please contact the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water at exotic.species@dcceew.gov.au for more information on hybrid animals and reproductive material/specimens.

• In accordance with the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, the following pure breeds cannot be imported to Australia:
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull
  • Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.

For more information on prohibited dog breeds, contact the Department of Home Affairs at +61 2 6264 1111. 

Step-by-step guide for importing cats and dogs into Australia

The below step-by-step guide is from the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.

Step 1: Find an international pet transport company you trust

When moving your beloved furry family member, you need to find a pet transport company that will ensure your cat or dog is looked after throughout the process to minimise anxiety for both your pet and yourself.

I recently contacted a large number of visitors who requested a quote through my website and asked them who they used and who they would recommend. Move My Pet was mentioned multiple times and they have great reviews.

Step 2: General Eligibility

To import your pet into Australia, your animal must meet the below general eligibility requirements:

• Your cat or dog must be microchipped.
• Cats and dogs must have been continuously resident in New Zealand since birth or direct importation from Australia or for 180 days immediately before the date of export if it has been imported into New Zealand from any other country.
• Cats and dogs must not be under quarantine restrictions at the time of export.
• Cats and dogs must not be more than 40 days pregnant nor be suckling young at the time of export.
• Cats and dogs must be at least eight (8) weeks old at the time of export.

Step 3: Permission to import

An import permit is not required for cats and dogs moving to Australia from New Zealand.

However, the exporter must sign a Statutory Declaration that:

• identifies the cat/dog by breed, sex, age and microchip number
• verifies that the cat/dog has been continually resident in New Zealand since birth or direct importation from Australia, or for the 180 days immediately before the date of export if the animal has been imported into New Zealand from any other country
• verifies that the cat/dog is not derived from a domestic/non-domestic hybrid and that a dog is not a prohibited breed (above)
• verifies that if a female cat or dog, the animal is not more than 40 days pregnant or suckling young at the time of export
• states whether the dog has ever been to mainland Africa.

Your pet transport company will help you with this. 

Step 4: Health certificate requirements

Your beloved animal must be accompanied by a health certificate signed by a veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to certify live cats and dogs to Australia (information above). Your pet transport company will help you organise this.

The health certificate must be original, and copies will not be accepted.

The health certificate must certify that:

• The animal has been identified by a microchip.
• New Zealand is free from rabies.
• The animal was examined within five (5) days before the date of export and found to be fit to travel.
• The animal was treated for external and internal parasites within five (5) days before the date of export.

Additional requirements for dogs only

The health certificate must also certify that:

• canine brucellosis (Brucella Canis), leptospirosis (Leptospira Canicola) and leishmaniosis (Leishmania Infantum) have not been confirmed in New Zealand during the 12 months before the date of export
• the dog has always lived in New Zealand since birth or importation from Australia (provide the NZ MPI-approved veterinarian with evidence to this effect). If the dog has not lived only in New Zealand since birth or imported from Australia, you must present the NZ MPI-approved veterinarian with:
  • a negative test result (IFAT or ELISA) for Leishmania Infantum.

These tests must be done after the dog has resided in New Zealand for at least 21 days. They remain valid only if the dog is continuously resident in New Zealand from the sampling date until export to Australia.

Dogs that have ever been to mainland Africa must be treated by a government-approved veterinarian while resident in New Zealand for Babesia Canis with imidocarb dipropionate.

Step 5: Travel to Australia

Final travel stipulations for your cat or dog travelling to Australia from New Zealand:

• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry does not place any restrictions on the airline you choose. However, the animal must travel as manifested cargo (not in the cabin) and in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved crate for cats or dogs.
• The department accepts no responsibility for cats or dogs that escape en route.
• All transport costs are at the importer’s expense.
• Assistance dogs may travel with their handler in the cabin at the discretion of the airline.

Step 6: Clearance on arrival

Once your pet has arrived in Australia, the below conditions will be checked:

• All import conditions must be met, including the need for documentation to bear the original signature of a veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries  (documents may only be endorsed following all treatments, tests and examinations)
• All health certification and relevant documentation must travel with the cat or dog to Australia.
• Notify the department at least three (3) days before the animal arrives by emailing the regional office in the state/territory in which the cat or dog will first arrive in Australia. Your pet transporter will do this on your behalf.
• Cats and dogs must be cleared at the first port of arrival in Australia.
• Allow at least one (1) hour for the cat or dog to be released by airline cargo and cleared by the department. Connecting flights must not leave within one hour of the animal arriving in Australia.
• A lack of original health certificates and related documentation will delay your pet’s clearance.
• If your cat or dog is to connect with a domestic flight, you will have to arrange for it to be moved from the international terminal to the domestic terminal. Animal transport agents/pet shippers can help you with this. The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association website has a list of pet shippers.
• You will be charged for the time taken to assess the documentation that accompanies your animal to Australia. Details of the department’s fees can be found in the charging guidelines. Please contact the relevant state/territory office to determine the fees for clearing your cat or dog.
• Fees are usually collected by the airline carrying your animal. The payment should appear on the airway bill. The department then invoices the airline to recover the fees. If the airway bill has not incorporated these fees the department will require payment before releasing your animal. 

Step 7: On arrival in Australia

Final check before you can collect your cat or dog from biosecurity:

• A biosecurity officer will check the cat or dog to verify that all details match the import certification.
• If acceptable, the animal will be released from biosecurity control. If not, additional documents may be requested and/or the animal may be subject to treatment, export or euthanasia.

The above step-by-step guide is from the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website from pets being imported into Australia from New Zealand. 

Booking directly with an Airline

I have not been able to find an airline where you can directly book a flight for your pet. See below. They all say you must book with a pet transport company.

Air New Zealand – International Cargo Pets

Air New Zealand does not accept animals directly from the public because of the complexity involved in completing the pre-flight documentation, the Ministry for Primary Industries compliance and veterinary checks. Approved pet transporters or an IATA agent will have to assist you with moving your pet.

Air New Zealand pet transporters must go through a formal registration and approval process before we entrust them to care for your pet’s travel arrangements to our standards.  They recognise that they are dealing with family members – no matter which exterior they are bundled into!

Pet travel with Qantas Freight

Qantas strongly recommends using a pet travel specialist for international travel due to the complexity of customs and quarantine requirements. Should you contact them, mention that you’d like your pet to travel on a Qantas aircraft.

Note: Only service dogs can be carried in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. All other animals and pets travel in a particular area in the hold of a passenger aircraft where the temperature and noise are similar to those experienced in the cabin.

Virgin Pet Transport

Virgin Australia currently requires all guests wishing to book travel with their pet to make a booking with a Commercial Pet Transport Company. 

International Pet Transport FAQs

How old does my pet need to be?

The minimum age for pets travelling to Australia is 8 weeks old. For all other countries, the minimum age is 12 weeks.

Although puppies and kittens may be Certified for travel at 12 weeks some country requirements (i.e. Minimum vaccination age/waiting or stand down period after the vaccination etc.) will result in the puppy or kitten travelling at 16 weeks +.

Where will my pet be on the plane?

Your pet will be in the live animal hold. Just like the main passenger section your pet will travel in a pressurized and heated section of the aircraft.

Can I send my pet’s belongings in the cage?

You are welcome to put soft toys and blankets in the cage; these are great things that will make the trip more comfortable. Solid bowls, brushes, shampoos, etc., must be checked in with your luggage.

Will my pet get fed?

From check-in in Auckland until they are released when they land at their final destination, pets are not released and are not fed.

Ideally, you should feed your pet an early dinner and then nothing but water on the day of departure. It is much nicer for them to travel feeling a bit hungry than in a cage that has been messed in that they cannot get away from.

Pets must always have access to water.

Should I sedate my pet?

Don’t sedate your pet. A sedated pet has a lower breathing and heart rate. This combined with the lower oxygen levels of an aircraft at altitude can be a risk. Also, a pet waking up with no recollection of how it got there can cause a great deal of panic. Some airlines will not carry sedated pets so if this is something you are considering we need to know so there are no problems on the day of departure.

Can I do anything for my pet before departure to prepare them?

Having the cage at home for your pets to get used to or at least become familiar with really helps reduce anxiety on the day of departure.

Homeopathic remedies (available at most Vets and pet stores) used around the home a few days prior to departure are also a great way of taking the edge off when their environment is rapidly changing.

Making their cage as comfortable as possible by adding items such as their own toys, blankets, bedding, and even items of clothing you and your family wear makes a difference.

Will my pet be going into Quarantine?

There is no quarantine for most pets departing from NZ, and they can usually be collected a few hours after the flight lands. There are a few exceptions, so check with us. 

Get a quote to move your pet to Australia

Please complete the form below so Move My Pet can give you a quote to move your cat or dog to Australia. The information you provide impacts the cost of the service, so please complete all fields.

You might be interested in…

The below posts might interest you:

• Moving to Australia process
• Find a house to buy or rent in Australia
• Moving company to Australia

Still got unanswered questions?

If you’ve read the above content and the answer to your question isn’t there, please write a comment below, and I’ll research the answer for you.

Can I help you find something else?

If you need advice on moving to Australia from New Zealand, I’ve created a helpful little questionnaire to point you in the right direction. It takes less than 30 seconds, so give it a go!