Home › From Australia › Cat to the United Kingdom

Bringing a cat from Australia to the United Kingdom

Yes. Australia is a 'listed' country for Great Britain, so your cat travels on a Great Britain pet health certificate — no rabies blood test and no quarantine when the rules are met. Microchip first, rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, then at least 21 full days after the primary course before travel. Cats from Australia carry one extra, Australia-only requirement: a certificate from the Australian Department of Agriculture confirming the cat has not been exposed to the Hendra virus in the 60 days before departure. Pets fly approved routes as manifest cargo.
0
Quarantine days
None if all rules are met — up to 4 months if they are not
21 days
Wait after rabies jab
After a primary rabies vaccination, travelling from a listed country
60 days
Hendra certificate
Cats from Australia only: DAFF certificate of no Hendra virus exposure in the 60 days before travel
10 days
Certificate validity
Enter Great Britain within 10 days of the GB pet health certificate being issued

Step-by-step checklist

Requirements — Cat · Australia → the United Kingdom
StepWhat to doWhen
MicrochipImplanted before the rabies vaccination, or on the same day at the latest First step
Rabies vaccinationGiven at 12 weeks of age or older; wait at least 21 full days after the primary course before travelling 3+ weeks out
Hendra certificateAsk DAFF for the certificate confirming your cat has not been exposed to the Hendra virus during the 60 days before departure — required for cats from Australia only As part of the DAFF process
DAFF export processLodge the DAFF Notice of Intention at least 10 working days ahead; a registered vet prepares the GB pet health certificate and a DAFF official veterinarian endorses it 10+ working days out
Approved routeFly an approved route with an approved carrier as manifest cargo, with the non-commercial declaration completed Travel day

Your preparation timeline

  1. 16+ weeks out — Check microchip and rabies vaccination status and start the 21-day wait if a primary vaccination is needed; raise the Hendra certificate with your export vet early.
  2. 210+ working days out — Lodge the DAFF Notice of Intention; book the registered vet and DAFF appointments.
  3. 3Final 10 days — The GB pet health certificate is issued and endorsed — enter Great Britain within 10 days of issue.
  4. 4Arrival — Checks on the approved route; cats do not need the tapeworm treatment that dogs do.
The mistake that causes trouble on this route: Forgetting the Hendra certificate. It applies to cats from Australia and nowhere else, it is issued by the Australian Department of Agriculture rather than your regular vet, and it is easy to miss because it sits outside the standard GB certificate checklist. Build it into the DAFF export process from the start — the certificate confirms no exposure to Hendra virus in the 60 days before departure.

Costs you can plan for

There is no UK government entry fee on an approved route. You pay the Australian vet and DAFF export charges (Notice of Intention assessment, certification time, export permit and the Hendra certification — see Micor for current figures) plus manifest-cargo air freight, which on this distance is usually the largest cost. Failed arrival checks can mean quarantine boarding for up to 4 months at your expense.

✈️ Government rules are only half the trip. Airlines set their own pet carriage rules (crate size, breed limits, seasonal embargoes). Re-confirm carriage with your airline after you meet the rules above.

Questions people ask about this route

Does my cat need a tapeworm treatment like dogs do?

No. The tapeworm treatment rule applies to dogs only. Cats need the microchip, rabies vaccination and 21-day wait, the GB pet health certificate — and, from Australia, the Hendra certificate.

Why does a cat from Australia need a Hendra certificate?

Hendra virus occurs in Australia and GOV.UK lists a specific extra requirement for cats arriving from Australia: a certificate from the Australian Department of Agriculture confirming the cat has not been exposed to the virus in the 60 days before departure. It does not apply to dogs, or to cats from other countries.

Does my cat need a rabies blood test?

No. Australia is a listed country, so no rabies blood (titer) test is required for Great Britain.

Related guides

✓ Last verified: 2026-11-12

Official sources for this page

We check each rule against the exporting country's official page and the destination country's official page. If the two disagree, we show the disagreement instead of guessing.

Want a professional to run this route for you?

Licensed pet relocation companies handle permits, vet paperwork and flights daily. We are adding vetted partners for this route — check back soon.