Approved country
An approved country is any country, administrative region or territory, approved by us for imports of cats, dogs, and canine semen.
Australia assesses any country that wishes to export dogs and cats to Australia. We assess the animal health situation and government controls to determine if trade can proceed safely.
We categorise approved countries by pest and disease risk. These are Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3.
New Zealand; Norfolk Island; Cocos Island
Dogs and cats from New Zealand and Norfolk Island do not require an import permit to enter Australia.
Cats from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands do require an import permit.
Select the appropriate step-by-step guide:
American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tonga (Kingdom of), Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna.
Group 2 countries are described as approved rabies-free countries and territories in and animals from these countries require an import permit to be eligible for import to Australia.
Select the appropriate step-by-step guide:
Note: Some south Pacific Island countries with limited animal health services may not have a permanent government approved veterinarian present to perform the required blood testing, treatments or examinations. If prospective importers cannot locate a government approved veterinarian, they must contact the department well in advance of their proposed travel dates to discuss further options. In some cases, procedures completed by a regularly visiting foreign veterinarian or para-veterinarian may be acceptable.
Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia (Republic of), Cyprus (Republic of), Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands , Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa (Republic of), South Korea (Republic of), Spain (including Canary and Balearic Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America (excluding Guam and Hawaii), Uruguay, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (United States of America).
Group 3 countries are described as approved countries and territories in which rabies is absent or well-controlled and animals from these countries require an import permit to be eligible for import to Australia.
Select the appropriate step-by-step guide: