Moving a dog or cat from the UK to Australia requires careful planning. Jetfast Pet Express coordinates veterinary preparation, documentation, the import permit, travel arrangements and arrival support. Rebecca, our Australian Branch Manager, can help you plan a route and timeline for your pet.
Heathrow and Other UK Departures
London Heathrow is our preferred UK departure airport. We can help arrange collection from other airports in England, Scotland or Wales where a suitable cargo service is available. The route depends on your pet, airline availability and collection location. We can coordinate an appropriate travel crate, ground transport, flight planning and paperwork checks before departure.
If your pet is in Northern Ireland, we will review the collection and export arrangements separately with the relevant authorities and transport partners.
Allow Around 6–8 Months
The UK is an approved Group 3 country for cat and dog imports to Australia. Allow around 6–8 months to prepare; the precise timing depends on your pet’s vaccination history, test results, veterinary appointments, permit and available quarantine space. The mandatory 180-day period begins when the rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT) sample reaches the testing laboratory. Your pet must meet the applicable approved-country residence and preparation conditions throughout the process.
How the Relocation Works
1. Complete our client form and get a quotation
Tell us about your pet, including their age, weight, measurements, medical conditions and any special dietary needs. You can choose the level of support that suits you:
- Silver / DIY Package: You manage the earlier veterinary appointments with a timeline and guidance from us.
- Gold / Premium Package: We coordinate the veterinary appointments, collection and other relocation arrangements for you.
Both packages include the final veterinary work, including the required final parasite treatments and health certificate.
2. Plan the veterinary timeline
We review your pet’s microchip, rabies vaccination history and existing records, then coordinate a dated plan with appropriately authorised UK veterinarians.
If you wish to seek the minimum 10-day quarantine period, the UK has a specific official identity verification process that must be completed before the RNATT and other pre-export preparations. We will explain that sequence before the blood test is booked.
3. Complete the permit and travel arrangements
After the required rabies preparation, we help review the documentation and arrange the Australian import permit, a booking at the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham near Melbourne, an IATA-compliant travel crate and a suitable flight. Further health checks, treatments and official export certification must be completed within the required timeframes. Dogs have additional requirements that depend on their circumstances.
4. Arrive in Melbourne and travel home
Under the standard Group 3 process, cats and dogs must arrive at Melbourne International Airport as manifested cargo for transfer to PEQ. After their quarantine stay and release, we can help arrange onward transport within Australia to reunite your pet with you.
Australia’s Group 3 Entry Requirements
Group 3 preparations include a compliant microchip, current rabies vaccination, RNATT, Australian import permit, required veterinary checks and certificates, and PEQ. The details differ for cats and dogs. The current Australian import permit conditions and official guidance determine the exact steps for your pet.
The UK identity check and quarantine period
For a UK pet seeking eligibility for a minimum 10-day PEQ stay, two different official veterinarians with OV66 authorisation, from separate practices, must complete the UK identity declarations.
The identity verification must occur before the RNATT and other pre-export preparations. If an RNATT was completed first, a new test and a new 180-day waiting period are required to seek this pathway.
Without qualifying identity verification or applicable Australian-origin evidence, the minimum PEQ stay is generally 30 days. The Australian authorities assess eligibility and may require a longer stay if import conditions are not met.
Read the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s current Group 3 dog guide, Group 3 cat guide and UK identity check guidance before starting. We will work from the current rules for your pet.
Why Work With Jetfast Pet Express?
We bring the veterinary timeline, documents and transport together in one plan. Our team can coordinate UK collection, crate arrangements, flights, the Australian import permit, PEQ booking and onward travel after release. Rebecca manages the whole journey and can explain the steps and costs for your particular move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my pet depart from an airport other than Heathrow?
Heathrow is our preferred UK departure airport. We can assess other airports if suitable pet cargo services are available, and arrange collection and ground transport from other UK locations.
How long should I allow?
Plan around 6–8 months. The RNATT laboratory arrival date starts the mandatory 180-day period, and the other preparations, permit and bookings need time as well. Start the UK identity process first if you want to seek the 10-day PEQ option.
How long is PEQ in Australia?
For an eligible pet with the required identity declarations completed before RNATT, the minimum stay may be 10 days. Otherwise the minimum is generally 30 days, subject to any applicable Australian-origin pathway. The Australian authorities determine the stay and may extend it if conditions are not met.
Can my pet fly directly to another Australian city?
Under the standard Group 3 import process, your pet must arrive at Melbourne International Airport for PEQ. We can discuss onward travel after release. We can provide Australian domestic flights, including collection from PEQ to the airport.
Let’s Plan Your Pet’s Journey
Tell us your pet’s breed, UK collection postcode, intended Australian destination and preferred travel date. Email Rebecca, our Australian Branch Manager, or request a quotation.
This page provides general guidance only. Import conditions, airline services and quarantine availability may change. Your pet’s import permit and current official instructions determine the applicable requirements.