You can relocate a dog or cat from Canada to Australia—but you can’t treat it like a simple flight booking. Australia enforces strict biosecurity rules, and most cats and dogs complete post-entry quarantine at Mickleham (near Melbourne) rather than at home.
In this guide, you’ll learn what quarantine looks like, how long it may last, how Group 3 locations work (Canada falls into Group 3), and why RNATT timing often stretches the move into months.
If you want an expert to confirm the right sequence, timing windows, and routing for your city and travel date, start here:
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What “Australian quarantine” means (and where it happens)
For cats and dogs, the Australian Government runs post-entry quarantine through the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria, near Melbourne.
Here are the big realities many pet owners don’t hear upfront:
- You can’t complete quarantine at home. Your dog or cat completes quarantine through the PEQ process at Mickleham (with different rules for some eligible assistance dogs).
- You manage bookings through Australia’s system. You reserve quarantine through the Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS).
- You should expect a formal handoff. Australia controls the process closely as part of biosecurity.
Quick note on birds and other pets: This article focuses on dogs and cats because Australia publishes the clearest PEQ/Mickleham guidance for them. If you plan to move a bird or another type of pet, you’ll follow a different set of rules. Request a quote and we’ll confirm what applies to your species and route. species and route.
How long can quarantine last?
Australia can keep cats and dogs in quarantine as little as 10–30 days, and in some cases up to 180 days (or longer if biosecurity risk increases).
A few factors shape the length:
- how Australia classifies your exporting location
- whether you complete identity checks correctly (more on this below)
- whether documents and timing windows line up cleanly
- whether Australia requires follow-up after arrival
Group 3 locations: where Canada fits
Australia sorts approved export locations into groups. For cats and dogs, Australia places Canada in Group 3 (“rabies present but controlled”).
That matters because Group 3 moves follow a defined checklist—and the order of steps matters.
Start with Australia’s step-by-step hub:
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides
Why the Canada to Australia timeline usually takes months (RNATT + waiting period)
This move rarely happens quickly. Australia describes cat and dog imports as complex and encourages people to plan well in advance.
RNATT drives most timelines. For Group 3 cats and dogs, Australia anchors the process around RNATT (rabies antibody titre testing) and the waiting period that follows. Many moves reference about 180 days, counted from when the RNATT sample reaches the lab.
Most plans follow this flow:
- confirm microchip details and set your baseline timeline
- complete rabies vaccination and RNATT
- wait the required period tied to RNATT timing
- submit your import permit application
- complete final treatments and certification steps
- plan flights into Melbourne (for pets that require PEQ)
Official Australian step-by-step guides:
30 days vs 10 days quarantine (why identity verification matters)
Good planning can shorten the minimum quarantine period.
Australia explains that some pets from Group 3 locations may qualify for a shorter minimum quarantine stay (often 10 days) when the competent authority completes identity verification before key testing stages.
The simple takeaway:
- Complete identity verification correctly and on time, and you may shorten the minimum stay
- Do steps out of order, and you often trigger longer quarantine timing or forced rework
If you want help lining up the step order so you avoid redoing anything, start here
Canada export-side: CFIA endorsement matters
In Canada, many pet owners underestimate the CFIA endorsement step.
In most cases, your licensed veterinarian prepares the paperwork and supporting documents, and then CFIA reviews and endorses the certificate. Because appointment availability varies, you should build CFIA timing into your plan early—especially when you have a fixed move date.
Official CFIA export page (pets to Australia)
Import permits and quarantine bookings: the timing trap
Two scheduling realities shape most Canada to Australia pet relocations:
- Permit processing takes time. Build government processing time into your target date.
- You book quarantine after you receive the permit. Australia ties PEQ reservations to permit timing, so your permit influences the dates you can secure.
Permit information:
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/permit
PEQ/PEBS information:
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/arrival/post-entry-quarantinequarantine
Quarantine costs at Mickleham: what you’ll pay (AUD)
Quarantine at Mickleham includes Australian government fees, and your total usually depends on whether your pet qualifies for the minimum 10-day or 30-day stay, plus any extras (for example, additional document checks, inspections, extra services, or an extended stay). Australia’s FAQ estimates the total cost to import one cat or dog at about AUD $3,000 (minimum 10 days) or AUD $4,100 (minimum 30 days), with extra charges possible depending on your case.
Official cost estimate (10 vs 30 days)
Typical government fees you may see (AUD)
Import permit
- First pet in a consignment: AUD $603 (lodgement $130 + assessment $473)
- Each additional pet in the same consignment: AUD $288
Quarantine booking + intake
- Quarantine reservation charge (per pet): AUD $269
- Importation/confirmation charge (per pet): AUD $1,078
Quarantine accommodation (daily husbandry fee)
- AUD $53/day
- 10 days: AUD $530
- 30 days: AUD $1,590
- Overstay: AUD $53/day
Possible add-on costs (case-by-case)
- Document assessment: AUD $80 per 30 minutes (if required)
- Inspection fee: AUD $80 per 30 minutes (if required)
- Airline/terminal release handling (paid by the department on your behalf): AUD $170–$350 (varies by airline/airway bill)
- Out-of-hours collection (if applicable): AUD $170 weekdays / AUD $180 weekends & public holidays
- Extra services or non-compliance admin fees: AUD $80 per 30 minutes (examples include grooming appointments or private vet visits)
- Private / emergency veterinary care: charged as incurred (varies)
To estimate costs in Canadian dollars, check today’s rate here
If you’d like, Pet Travel Advisors can confirm the likely quarantine pathway for your situation, then quote realistic cost ranges around your route and target timeline:
https://ca.pettraveladvisors.com/request-a-quote/
What quarantine at Mickleham feels like (how to prepare emotionally)
It’s normal to feel anxious about quarantine. The best way to lower stress is to control what you can control before travel:
- crate-train your pet and build calm crate comfort
- keep a clean paperwork trail (microchip digits must match everywhere)
- choose routing that avoids last-minute airline changes
Starting from one of our Canadian hubs?
Many Canada to Australia relocations start near major gateways. If you plan from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario or Quebec, start with the local service page and then build the international timeline around quarantine and permit timing:
Common Canada to Australia relocation mistakes that cause delays
These issues trigger rework most often:
- starting too late (Australia planning runs in months, not weeks)
- completing steps out of order (especially around identity verification and RNATT timing)
- leaving CFIA endorsement too close to departure
- booking flights before you lock in permit + quarantine timing
- ignoring crate readiness (sizing, setup, or lack of crate comfort)
Want a clear plan and timeline for your Canada → Australia move?
Australia’s process is detailed, and small mismatches can cause big delays. Pet Travel Advisors can verify what applies, map a realistic plan, coordinate documentation (including CFIA timing), and plan routing into Melbourne with quarantine in mind.
Start here: https://ca.pettraveladvisors.com/request-a-quote/
Questions first? https://ca.pettraveladvisors.com/contact/
Phone: 1-877-707-1739
Email: info@pettraveladvisors.com