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Bringing a cat from the United Kingdom to Australia
Sources disagree: Whether the RNATT blood draw may happen on the same day as the identity verification: some export guidance treats same-day as acceptable; DAFF states the identity check and the RNATT cannot be completed in the same visit. Follow DAFF (the destination authority): book the blood draw for a separate, later visit.
Until officials align, follow the stricter reading and confirm with the destination authority.
Step-by-step checklist
| Step | What to do | When |
|---|---|---|
| Residency | Your cat must have lived continuously in DAFF-approved countries for at least 180 days before export, or since birth. Time in a non-approved country breaks the route. | 6 months before export |
| Microchip | An ISO-compatible microchip, verified before preparation starts and scanned at every visit. Australia requires all pre-export work for Group 3 countries to be done by a government-approved veterinarian — in the UK that means an official vet (OV). The chip number must match on every document. | Before anything else |
| Rabies vaccination | An inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccination given after the microchip and kept valid without a break through to export. A single day's lapse restarts the whole process. | Day 0 of the clock |
| Identity verification (optional, saves 20 days) | An official government veterinarian verifies your cat's identity from the microchip BEFORE the RNATT blood draw — this is what qualifies your cat for 10 days of quarantine instead of 30. It cannot be added later. | Before the blood draw |
| RNATT titer test | Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (FAVN or RFFIT) at a recognised laboratory, result 0.5 IU/ml or higher, at least 3–4 weeks after the primary vaccination course, with an RNATT declaration issued by your official vet. The result is valid for 12 months. | After vaccination, before the wait |
| Wait 180 days | Your cat may not be exported until at least 180 days after the blood sample arrives at the laboratory. | 180 days from lab receipt |
| Import permit (BICON) | Apply to DAFF through BICON once you have the RNATT report and declaration (plus the identity declaration for the 10-day track). Processing typically takes 20–40 business days. Book the Mickleham quarantine place before you ship. | During the 180-day wait |
| Parasite treatments | External parasite treatment started at least 30 days before export and kept continuous; internal parasite treatments in the final window before export. Your permit conditions state the exact products and timing — follow them to the day. | Final 45 days |
| Export health certificate (EHC) | In the final 5 days, your official vet examines your cat and completes the UK export health certificate for Australia, with the official crate seal number recorded. Cats travel as manifested cargo to Melbourne only. Book quarantine at Mickleham before you travel. | Final 5 days |
Your preparation timeline
- 17–8 months out — Microchip check, rabies vaccination, identity verification
- 2~7 months out — RNATT blood draw — the 180-day clock starts when the lab receives the sample
- 3Months 1–6 — Apply for the BICON import permit; book Mickleham quarantine
- 4Final 45 days — Parasite treatment schedule runs
- 5Final 5 days — Pre-export exam and export health certificate; fly as cargo to Melbourne
- 6Arrival — Quarantine at Mickleham — 10 days with identity verification, otherwise 30
Costs you can plan for
Official Australian charges (AUD, per animal): import permit $626 for the first animal ($299 each additional). Quarantine at Mickleham: reservation $282, importation charge $1,132, accommodation $56/day — $560 for 10 days or $1,680 for 30 days — plus inspection and document assessment at $84 per 30 minutes and an airline terminal fee from $170. A 10-day stay therefore starts around AUD $1,974 in facility charges alone, before the permit, UK vet and laboratory fees, and air cargo.
Questions people ask about this route
Why is there a 180-day wait if quarantine is only 10 days?
They do different jobs. The 180 days after the RNATT prove the vaccination has held over time before your cat ships; quarantine at Mickleham then covers the arrival inspection period. Both are mandatory for Group 3 countries like the UK.
Can my cat fly into Sydney or Brisbane?
No. Cats and dogs enter Australia through Melbourne, where the Mickleham quarantine facility is. Onward domestic travel happens after quarantine is complete.
Are any cat breeds banned in Australia?
Yes — hybrid cats are ineligible, including Savannah, Safari and Chausie cats, and Bengal cats under DAFF's current rules. Pure-bred domestic cats of ordinary breeds are fine.
How long does the import permit take?
Typically 20–40 business days once DAFF has your RNATT report and declarations, and it can take longer. The permit stays valid until your RNATT expires, so apply during the 180-day wait, not after it.
Related guides
- Bringing a dog from the United Kingdom to Australia
- Rabies titer tests (FAVN / RNATT): validity and waiting periods by country
- How many days before travel do you need a pet health certificate?
- Pet quarantine by country: how long, where, and how to avoid it
- Microchip before or after rabies vaccination?
- How far in advance should you start preparing?
Official sources for this page
- GOV.UK — Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad
- Australia DAFF — Glossary: approved countries and Group 3 requirements
- Australia DAFF — Import permits for cats and dogs
- Australia DAFF — Post-entry quarantine fees
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?
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