Exporting to Australia
Pet Export Certificates & MPI-Approved Veterinary Services
If you’re exporting your cat or dog to Australia, Avonhead Veterinary Clinic can help. Our MPI approved veterinarians are authorised to issue export certificates for cats and dogs travelling from New Zealand to Australia, ensuring your pet meets Australia’s import requirements. Note: we are not MPI vets.
New Zealand has an agreement with Australia that simplifies the pet export process, meaning an MPI approved veterinarian can complete and sign your pet’s export certificate without requiring a separate animal welfare export certificate. An MPI-approved veterinarian is a New Zealand-registered veterinarian accredited under the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Export Programme to certify pets for export.
As part of the MPI export requirements, you must also use a registered pet exporter to coordinate your pet’s travel. Your pet exporter will arrange any required veterinary treatments, health checks, testing, travel crate requirements, flight bookings, and export documentation, ensuring everything is completed within the required timeframes before departure. Fees and charges apply.
What to Expect at Your Australia Pet Export Appointment
During your pet’s export appointment, one of our veterinarians will carry out a health examination to ensure your cat or dog is healthy and fit for travel to Australia.
As part of the appointment, we will:
- Perform a full health examination.
- Scan and verify your pet’s microchip.
- Complete the required Australian pet export certificate with you or your pet exporter. This certificate must be completed within five days of your pet’s scheduled departure.
- Administer an approved internal parasite (worm) treatment and external parasite (flea) treatment, which are mandatory requirements for exporting pets to Australia.
Export Appointment Costs
The cost of your export consultation, Australian export certificate and parasite treatments will vary depending on your pet’s breed and weight. Please contact our team for an individual quote based on your pet’s travel requirements.
If You Cannot Attend the Appointment
If your pet exporter will be bringing your pet to the export appointment on your behalf, you’ll need to complete an Owner Statutory Declaration before the examination. This declaration must be signed by a Justice of the Peace (JP), and the original document must be provided to the veterinarian at the appointment. Your pet exporter can help arrange this paperwork.
Follow this link for additional information from MPI about exporting cats and dogs to Australia.
Pet Travel Requirements
All pets must travel in an airline-approved pet travel cage. Airlines have strict guidelines for pet travel, which all reputable pet exporters will be familiar with. Your pet will not be allowed to travel in an incorrect cage. Your pet exporter can organise the correct size airline-approved cage for your pet’s travel.
If your pet has travelled outside of Australia and New Zealand, it may require further documentation and tests before export. Your pet exporter will organise these additional pet export requirements, documentation and testing as required for your pet’s travel.
Exporting Your Pet to Other Countries
If you require pet export to countries other than Australia, please contact your pet exporter directly, as each country has different pet export requirements, documentation and health regulations. Your pet exporter can guide you through the process and advise on the specific requirements for your pet’s international travel, including any necessary export certificates, health checks and veterinary requirements.
Rabies Vaccinations for Pet Export
We routinely stock rabies vaccines in clinic; however, we recommend calling ahead to confirm availability for your pet’s appointment. Please note that the rabies vaccination must be administered within a specific timeframe before your pet’s export date, so it is important to plan ahead when preparing your pet for international travel.
When attending your appointment, please bring your pet’s vaccination booklet. This is required to accurately record the rabies vaccination details, along with your pet’s microchip number, which is essential documentation for pet export.
If you are unsure about the timing, vaccination requirements or pet export process, your pet exporter will be able to guide you through the requirements and help ensure everything is completed correctly.
Recommended Registered Pet Exporters:
Star Pet Travel
Betty & Desiree Hanson
03 327 7015 or 0800 Pet Travel
starpettravel@gmail.com
starpettravel.co.nz
Donquest
Matt Walker & Yo Gulliver
03 359 6888 or 021 228 6364
info@donquest.co.nz
donquest.co.nz
