How to Prepare Your Pet for an International Flight to or from Australia
Australia has some of the world's strictest biosecurity rules. Here's exactly how to prepare your pet for the journey — from microchipping to the Mickleham quarantine.
Preparing your pet for international travel to or from Australia is one of the most logistically demanding things a pet owner can undertake. Australia's biosecurity regime is among the strictest in the world, and the preparation timeline — often 6 to 12 months — cannot be rushed or compressed.
All pets arriving in Australia must complete mandatory quarantine at the Mickleham facility in Victoria, regardless of how they travel. In-cabin charter does not bypass this requirement, but it does make the journey itself significantly calmer for your pet.
Step 1: Microchipping
Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chip before any other step. Critically, microchipping must occur before the rabies vaccination for the chip-vaccination sequence to be valid for Australian biosecurity purposes.
Step 2: Rabies Vaccination & Titre Test
Most countries of origin require a rabies vaccination followed by a titre test. For Australia, the blood draw for the titre test must occur at least 180 days (6 months) before arrival. This 180-day waiting period is calculated from the blood draw date — the most common mistake pet owners make is miscalculating this window.
Step 3: DAFF Import Permit
You must apply for an import permit through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) via the BICON system before your pet can travel. The permit specifies the exact conditions your pet must meet and the required quarantine arrangements at Mickleham.
Step 4: Veterinary Health Certificate
A Veterinary Health Certificate endorsed by the relevant government authority in your origin country is required. This document must be signed within a specific window before departure — timing it correctly relative to your Skye Pets departure date is critical.
Step 5: Crate Training
Even on a Skye Pets in-cabin charter, pets must be in their IATA-compliant crates during takeoff, landing and turbulence. Start crate training at least 6 to 8 weeks before your Australian departure date. A crate-comfortable pet is a calmer traveller.
Skye Pets flies from Auckland and Dubai to Melbourne. Our team provides a personalised preparation timeline, DAFF liaison support, and step-by-step guidance through every stage via the Pet Portal.
Australia's import process is complex, but entirely manageable with early planning. If you're unsure where to start, contact us to discuss — we'll walk you through every step specific to your origin country and route.
Further Reading
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