Flying with a pet from Germany to Australia: full 2026 guide
Last updated: May 2026 · 8 min read
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Before you book: check these first
- 1Is your pet's microchip ISO 11784/11785 compliant and confirmed readable?
- 2Has your pet had a rabies titer test with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or above, and have 6 months passed since the blood draw?
- 3Have you applied for an import permit through Australia's BICON system?
- 4Have you booked a quarantine space at Mickleham? (Required before airline cargo can be confirmed)
Key facts at a glance
How Australia classifies countries
Australia divides countries into groups based on disease risk. Group 2 countries (which include Germany and most EU member states) are approved for direct import. Pets from Group 2 countries face less stringent requirements than those from non-approved countries, but the process is still substantial.
If your pet has recently lived in a country not on Australia's approved list, they must spend 180 days continuously in an approved country before the Australian process can begin.
No cabin travel
All dogs and cats entering Australia travel as manifest cargo. No airline allows pets in the cabin on Australia routes, and no airline allows pets as standard checked baggage for Australia-bound flights.
All pets arriving in Australia land at Melbourne Airport regardless of their final destination. From there, DAFF transfers them directly to the Mickleham Quarantine Facility near Melbourne.
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Airlines flying pets from Germany to Australia
Step-by-step requirements from Germany
ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chip. Germany already requires microchipping for all dogs, so this is likely in place. Confirm the chip meets the ISO standard and is readable.
Current rabies vaccination required. EU pet passport covers this for most German residents. Must be given when the animal is at least 12 weeks old and at least 30 days before the titer test blood draw.
Blood draw at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Sent to an approved laboratory. Australia requires 0.5 IU/ml or above. After a passing result, a minimum six-month waiting period applies before travel.
Australia requires two separate identity verification procedures by a registered veterinarian at specific intervals. This confirms the pet being tested matches the pet being imported. Timing is specified by DAFF.
Apply through Australia's BICON system. Must be issued before quarantine space at Mickleham can be booked. Processing takes several weeks. Apply early.
Once the import permit is issued, book a space at Mickleham Quarantine Facility. Capacity is limited. A confirmed quarantine booking is required before the airline can confirm your pet's cargo booking.
Issued by an official veterinarian in Germany within a specified period before travel. Your vet needs to use the correct country-specific format negotiated between Germany and Australia. Confirm the format with DAFF or your pet transport agent before the appointment.
Treatments for fleas, ticks, tapeworms, and other parasites at specific intervals before departure. Your vet records each treatment on the health certificate with product names, doses, and dates.
Bengal cats: 2026 update
A previous exemption for fifth-generation Bengals was revoked following a biosecurity review. Savannah cats remain banned. Wolf hybrids are prohibited. Check the current DAFF restricted breed list before beginning any process.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. All pets entering Australia land at Melbourne and go through Mickleham Quarantine Facility regardless of their final destination. After quarantine clearance, you arrange onward transport to your destination city.
Yes, if those airports are on Australia's approved transhipment list and your pet stays in airline cargo handling without leaving the airport precinct. Approved transhipment points include Dubai and Frankfurt among others. Confirm with DAFF and your airline before booking.
The titer test result is valid as long as it has not expired, which depends on the validity of the linked rabies vaccination. If the vaccination has not lapsed and the test result is still within its validity period, it does not need to be repeated for a subsequent import.
If a problem is found during quarantine, the period is extended at the owner's expense. In serious cases involving a notifiable disease, the pet may be refused entry or treated under biosecurity orders.
You've read the general rules. Your pet's specific titer test status, your airline routing, and your timeline all affect what needs to happen next. A personal plan covers your exact situation. $24, human-reviewed before delivery.
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