Pet Travel From the United States to Australia

NOTE: The veterinarian(s) who prepares the pet for export to Australia (includes scanning the microchip, drawing blood, completing the laboratory submission forms, etc.) MUST be a USDA Accredited Veterinarian in the state where they perform work.

• Pet Owners - Find an Accredited Veterinarian
• Check Accreditation Status (Veterinarians only)

Identity Declaration

For Optional Step 4: Have your pet's identity verified by the competent authority in the country of export in Australia's step-by-step guide for dogs or cats. 

Please follow the instructions below (1-12) to have your pet's identity verified.

There are multiple fees for this service, as noted below.

Identity declarations are valid for as long as the animal:

• can be identified by the verified microchip on the declaration, and
• resides in an approved country.

Part 1

1. Take your pet to a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and have them complete the identity declaration (324.71 KB).
2. The accredited veterinarian MUST take a color photo(s) of the pet and the microchip scanner with the microchip number visible.
   • At least one photo should have both the scanner, with the microchip number visible, and at least a significant portion of the pet, together in the same photo.
3. The accredited veterinarian MUST use VEHCS to submit the identity declaration and photo(s) to USDA for endorsement.
   • A $38.00 user fee to USDA is required for the endorsement of the declaration.
   • In VEHCS, click New Certificate, for Destination Country, select “Australia” and for Commodity Type, select “Commodity not listed.” Click the Next button, then for Commodity Type, select “Dogs and cats - Identity Declaration for Australia.” On the Upload PDF screen, upload the completed identity declaration. On the Attachments screen, upload the photo(s).
4. After the accredited veterinarian submits the identity declaration and photo(s) in VEHCS, USDA will review and endorse. The accredited veterinarian MUST provide the endorsed certificate number to you (the pet owner/exporter).

Part 2

5. After completing steps 1-4 in Part 1, you must take your pet to a different USDA Accredited Veterinarian at a different veterinary clinic** and have them complete a new identity declaration (324.71 KB).  **The two accredited veterinarians should work at different clinics.
    
6. The second accredited veterinarian MUST take a color photo(s) of the pet and the microchip scanner with the microchip number visible.
   • At least one photo should have both the scanner, with the microchip number visible, and at least a significant portion of the pet, together in the same photo.
7. The second accredited veterinarian MUST use VEHCS to submit the identity declaration and photo(s) to USDA for endorsement.
   • A $38.00 user fee to USDA is required for the endorsement of the declaration.
     5.  
   • In VEHCS, for Destination Country, select “Australia” and for Commodity Type, select “Commodity not listed.” Click the Next button, then for Commodity Type, select “Dogs and cats - Identity Declaration for Australia.” On the Upload PDF screen, upload the completed identity declaration. On the Attachments screen, upload the photo(s).
8. After the accredited veterinarian submits the identity declaration and photo(s) in VEHCS, USDA will review and endorse. The accredited veterinarian MUST provide the endorsed certificate number to you (the pet owner/exporter).
   
   Blood cannot be drawn for the rabies neutralizing antibody titer test (RNATT) until after the date of the second microchip scanning (can be done on same day). Part 3 below MUST still be completed by the accredited veterinarian.

Part 3

NOTE: Part 3 MUST be endorsed within 3 months of the date of the first microchip scanning. Please submit requests in a timely manner. 

9. One of the accredited veterinarians MUST then logon to VEHCS and submit a request for completion of the USDA identity declaration (required by Australia), by uploading a completed request form (126.07 KB). The exporter MUST provide the veterinarian with the VEHCS endorsed certificate number for both accredited veterinarian declarations that were completed.
   • A $38.00 user fee to USDA is required for the endorsement of the declaration.
   • In VEHCS, for Destination Country, select “Australia” and for Commodity Type, select “Commodity not listed.” Click the Next button, then for Commodity Type, select “Dogs & cats: Request ID Declaration for Australia.” On the Upload PDF screen, upload the completed request form.
10. After the request is submitted, USDA will complete a separate identity declaration, based on the information provided by the two accredited veterinarians in the first and second accredited veterinarian identity declarations. USDA will upload the endorsed USDA identity declaration in VEHCS and email it directly to Australia.
11. Once the USDA identity declaration certificate is marked Completed in VEHCS, you/exporter may then proceed to the next step in Australia’s step-by-step guide for dogs or cats.
12. You MUST retain a copy of the endorsed USDA identity declaration to attach to the export health certificate that must accompany the pet during travel to Australia.

NOTE Regarding Quarantine: Pets that complete this identity check will be eligible for 10 days in post-entry quarantine upon arrival into Australia. If you cannot fully meet this identity check process as outlined, the pet will need to spend 30 days in post-entry quarantine upon arrival in Australia.

Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) Declaration

Please follow Steps 6 and 7 in Australia’s step-by-step guide for dogs or cats to complete the rabies neutralizing antibody titer test (RNATT) and RNATT Declaration (270.64 KB).

A USDA Accredited Veterinarian must scan the pet's microchip (dogs and cats) and collect the blood sample for the RNATT. The USDA Accredited Veterinarian that drew the blood must complete the laboratory submission form, including the animal's microchip number and the blood sampling date.

Once you receive the RNATT laboratory report, you need to obtain an endorsed RNATT Declaration (270.64 KB) from USDA. We strongly recommend that the pet’s USDA Accredited Veterinarian use VEHCS to request the RNATT Declaration. You MUST retain a copy of the endorsed RNATT Declaration to attach to the export health certificate that must accompany the pet during travel to Australia.

• In VEHCS, for Destination Country, select “Australia” and for Commodity Type, select “Commodity not listed.” Click the Next button, then for Commodity Type, select “Dogs and cats - RNATT Declaration for Australia.” On the Upload PDF screen, upload a blank RNATT declaration for USDA to complete. On the Attachments screen, upload the RNATT laboratory report and rabies vaccination certificate.

6-Month Waiting Period: The dog or cat is only eligible for export to Australia at least 180 days after the blood sample arrives at the laboratory for the RNATT. You can find additional information about the waiting period on your import permit issued by Australia.

Health Certificate Information

We strongly recommend that USDA Accredited Veterinarians use VEHCS to complete the export health certificate for submission to USDA. USDA MUST endorse the export health certificate. Find a USDA Endorsement Office.

• When creating the certificate in VEHCS, for Destination Country, select “Australia” and for Commodity Type, select either “Dog (not Hawaii), permit dated after March 1, 2023” or “Cat (not Hawaii), permit dated after March 1, 2023.”
• The USDA Accredited Veterinarian must use the health certificate available in VEHCS. or the applicable health certificate listed below. The health certificate provided in the Australian-issued import permit is not specific for pets from the United States.
  • Dog from U.S. States (except Hawaii and Guam) with permit dated AFTER March 1, 2023 (306.68 KB)
  • Cat from U.S. States (except Hawaii and Guam) with permit dated AFTER March 1, 2023 (229.82 KB)
• Leptospirosis vaccination section on new model health certificate:
  • If the pet received a primary course (2 vaccinations) before export, the accredited veterinarian must record the details of both vaccinations on the health certificate.
  • If the pet received an annual booster before export, the accredited veterinarian must record the details of that vaccination and the details of the last vaccination given prior to the booster.

Please read and follow Australia's step-by-step guide for dogs and cats:

• Step-by-step guide for dogs
• Step-by-step guide for cats

NOTE: Australia requires intact dogs to be tested for Brucella canis, using one of the following test types (listed on the export health certificate):

• RSAT
• TAT
• IFAT