Reduced Quarantine Time for Pets Traveling to Australia

In September 2024, during the International OV Conference, we were pleased to announce that DEFRA and DAFF have reached an agreement to reduce quarantine time for pets traveling from the UK to Australia.

Previously, all pets were required to undergo a 30-day quarantine, except for those originally from Australia, who faced a 10-day period. Just a few months later, a new process was implemented to streamline pet travel between the two countries.

Under the new agreement between DEFRA and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), pets may now be eligible for the minimum 10-day quarantine period if they meet specific requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, all necessary rabies-related export preparations, pet identity checks, and export health certification work must be conducted by veterinarians who:
✔️ Are authorised by APHA as an OV under either OCQ(V) – SX or OCQ(V) – CA.
✔️ Hold an additional OV66 authorisation from APHA, specific to the export of dogs and cats to Australia.

Mandatory Steps for Eligibility

All of the following procedures must be carried out by OV66-authorised OVs:

  • Animal Identification (ID) Checks
    • Two separate ID checks must be conducted by OVs from different, unaffiliated practices.
    • Both OVs must submit individual ID declarations via their personal OV66-registered email (not a general practice email).
  • Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) Blood Sampling
    • This test can be performed on the same date as the second ID check or at a later date.
  • RNATT Declaration Submission
  • Export Health Certification (EHC) Issuance

This new process ensures a more efficient and streamlined journey for pets while maintaining biosecurity standards.

Please be aware that once the forms are submitted to DAFF it can take up to 2-3 working days to find out if it has been accepted.