Ciao, Marco here. Here's what nobody tells you about Qantas: the cabin door is closed for dogs, full stop. Mochi flies cabin-only with me on other carriers, so this one stung. If you were picturing your pup under the seat on a Qantas flight, adjust now. Dogs travel as cargo instead, and that changes everything about how you plan the trip.
Qantas's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How Qantas handles your pet Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
Cabin policy Snub-nosed breeds list Affenpinscher British/English Bulldog Griffon Bruxellois Dutch Pug American Bully Chow Chow Japanese Chin / Japanese Spaniel Japanese Pug American Bulldog Dogue De Bordeaux Lhasa Apso Shih-Zhu (Tsu) (Tzu) Australian Bulldog English Mastiff Neapolitan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Boston Terrier English Toy Spaniel / King Charles Spaniel Pekingese Valley Bulldog Boxer French Mastiff Pug Brussels Griffon French Bulldog Chinese Pug Affenpinscher British/English Bulldog Griffon Bruxellois Dutch Pug American Bully Chow Chow Japanese Chin / Japanese Spaniel Japanese Pug American Bulldog Dogue De Bordeaux Lhasa Apso Shih-Zhu (Tsu) (Tzu) Australian… verified 2026-08-27 One-way fee 39 USD The fee for this service varies from $39 (AU$65) to $233 (AU$385) based on weight and crate type verified 2026-08-12 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Sedation allowed ✗ NoQantas Freight will not carry any animals when the temperature is expected to be higher than 35°C or below 5°C. In these instances, pets can be rebooked at no additional cost. Should I sedate or cloak my pet? No, please… verified 2026-08-24 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list French Bulldog English Bulldog American Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Pekingese Lhasa Apso Chow Chow Dogue de Bordeaux Brussels Griffon Affenpinscher Japanese Chin Mastiff The following breeds have been classified by Qantas as brachycephalic (note that mixes of these breeds are not subject to the above requirement): DOGS : Affenpinscher, British/English Bulldog, Griffon Bruxellois, Pug,… verified 2026-08-14 Cargo: Minimum age 12 weeks Are there any age restrictions? All pets need to be at least 12 weeks old before they are able to fly and for pets older than 12 years will need a vet certificate stating your pet is healthy enough to fly verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking notice 24 hours Pet bookings can be updated or cancelled via Manage Booking up to 24 hours prior to departure without penalty. verified 2026-08-04 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo 5°C Qantas Freight will not carry any animals when the temperature is expected to be higher than 35°C or below 5°C. verified 2026-08-19 Cargo: Heat embargo 35°C Qantas Freight will not carry any animals when the temperature is expected to be higher than 35°C or below 5°C. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Sedation allowed ✗ NoSedated pets can appear sleepy and unwell which may impact travel as sick pets cannot be accepted for uplift . verified 2026-08-19 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoWe cannot accept your pet for international travel if: Your puppy or kitten is less than 12 weeks old If your pet appears sedated, unwell, injured, heavily pregnant or aggressive verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Brachycephalic special booking ✓ YesBookings for brachycephalic breeds must be made with a Qantas Freight-approved pet travel specialist verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Carrier size 115 × 60 × 80 cm Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as cargo, maximum carrier external carrier size is 45" x 23" x 31" (115cm x 60cm x 80cm) and the maximum pet weight is up to 92 lbs (42 kg). verified 2026-08-10 Cargo: Max weight (pet + crate) 50 kg If the combined weight of your pet and crate exceeds 50kgs, we'll need to check the compatibility of the aircraft type and your crate, so please call us verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, IATA-compliant, live-animal label, a carrier Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as cargo, maximum carrier external carrier size is 45" x 23" x 31" (115cm x 60cm x 80cm) and the maximum pet weight is up to 92 lbs (42 kg). verified 2026-08-10 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesForms Required The following forms are required for domestic transports: Shipper’s Statement of Domestic Animal Transport Shippers Indemnity and Acknowledgement Sydney Freight Precinct Safety Declaration The following… verified 2026-08-12 Health certificate validity 10 days …Certificate for Live Animals Shippers Indemnity and Acknowledgement A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (if applicable) and all forms required for your destination… verified 2026-08-12 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesPets arriving into Australia must travel on a direct flight into Melbourne (unless travelling from New Zealand or Norfolk Island) due to Australian quarantine requirements. verified 2026-07-14 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesAll pets need to be at least 12 weeks old before they are able to fly and for pets older than 12 years will need a vet certificate stating your pet is healthy enough to fly. verified 2026-08-12 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesAcknowledgement A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (if applicable) and all forms required for your destination country. verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks Age requirements All pets must be at least 12 weeks of age to fly as air cargo on Qantas; however, the minimum age will depend on pet import requirements of the destination country. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days 10 days Certificate for Live Animals Shippers Indemnity and Acknowledgement A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (if applicable) and all forms required for your destination country. verified 2026-08-28 Other rules Minimum age 12 weeks All pets need to be at least 12 weeks old before they are able to fly and for pets older than 12 years will need a vet certificate stating your pet is healthy enough to fly. verified 2026-08-04 Dangerous breeds banned ✗ Yesbreeds of dogs cannot be imported into Australia as they’re classified as ‘dangerous animals’ under Australian federal legislation, including: Pit Bull and American Pit Bull Terriers Dogo Argentino Japanese Tosa… verified 2026-07-20 Restricted breeds list American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Presa Canario The following breeds are not accepted to travel with Qantas: Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Pit Bull Terrier, Perro De Presa Canario, and Presa Canario. verified 2026-08-13 Breed restrictions apply ✗ Yesbooking? Bookings for brachycephalic breeds must be made with a Qantas Freight-approved pet travel specialist as health requirements and flight restrictions apply. This is due to the compromised respiratory systems of… verified 2026-08-28 Assistance animals accepted ✓ Yesback-to-link false exclude-from-anchor-link false Service animals smart-crop-16-5 Service dogs can be carried in the passenger cabin of the aircraft with you. verified 2026-08-28 Service & assistance animals Fee waived ✓ YesIs there a charge for approved Service Dogs or Service Dogs Under Training to travel in the aircraft cabin? Approved Service Dogs and Service Dogs Under Training can travel in the aircraft cabin free of charge, provided… verified 2026-08-29 Recognized ✓ YesFor example, a suitability and temperament assessment/testing from the dog's trainer.V2 Apr 2026 Page 7 of 15 (c) (c) The Training of the dog and handler team – about the dog/handler team's training such as: I. a… verified 2026-08-13 Cabin allowed ✓ YesBook your pet's flight with Qantas Freight anchor-link-text Pet travel anchor-section-url pet-travel-with-qantas show-back-to-link false exclude-from-anchor-link false Service animals smart-crop-16-5 Service dogs can be… verified 2026-08-28 Esa recognized ✗ NoAmbassador dogs, therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, comfort dogs and facility dogs that are not appropriately trained to perform tasks to alleviate the effects of a person’s disability are not considered to be… verified 2026-07-14 Forms required ✓ Yesthat the dog has been trained to perform: Task 1: Task 2:V2 Apr 2026 Page 6 of 15 Task 3: 5.7 Training Identification Attach the following forms of current identification for you/the dog: • Public Access Test (PAT); •… verified 2026-08-28 Advance notice hours 48 hours …to travel with a Service Dog and you are opting for a Classic Upgrade Reward, you should contact us at least 48 hours in advance of travel to make your request. verified 2026-07-14 Documentation required ✓ Yesassessed and accredited by Assistance Dog Assessment Association (ADAA) (UK) complete this form and return it with any supporting information and documentation to Qantas Customer Specific Needs via the Accessibility,… verified 2026-08-28 Recognized organizations Assistance Dogs International International Guide Dog Federation If the dog does not meet all the Criteria for Carriage If a Service Dog has not been trained and certified or accredited through one of the following Recognised Pathways: • by a training organisation or trainer that is… verified 2026-08-14 In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Hold & cargo policy Hold: Sedation allowed ✗ NoQantas Freight will not carry any animals when the temperature is expected to be higher than 35°C or below 5°C. In these instances, pets can be rebooked at no additional cost. Should I sedate or cloak my pet? No, please… verified 2026-08-24 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedAnimals and pets travelling on a Qantas flight travel in a special area in the hold of a passenger aircraft, where the temperature and noise are similar to those e ling. verified 2026-08-13 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list Persian Himalayan Exotic Shorthair The following breeds have been classified by Qantas as brachycephalic (note that mixes of these breeds are not subject to the above requirement): DOGS : Affenpinscher, British/English Bulldog, Griffon Bruxellois, Pug,… verified 2026-08-14 Cargo: Minimum age 12 weeks Are there any age restrictions? All pets need to be at least 12 weeks old before they are able to fly and for pets older than 12 years will need a vet certificate stating your pet is healthy enough to fly verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking notice 24 hours Pet bookings can be updated or cancelled via Manage Booking up to 24 hours prior to departure without penalty we will review the application. verified 2026-07-25 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet bookings can be updated or cancelled via Manage Booking up to 24 hours prior to departure without penalty. Qantas also offers flexibility to change travel plans for passengers for many fare types and we suggest you… verified 2026-08-25 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo 5°C Qantas Freight will not carry any animals when the temperature is expected to be higher than 35°C or below 5°C. verified 2026-08-10 Cargo: Heat embargo 35°C Qantas Freight will not carry any animals when the temperature is expected to be higher than 35°C or below 5°C. verified 2026-08-19 Cargo: Sedation allowed ✗ NoSedated pets can appear sleepy and unwell which may impact travel as sick pets cannot be accepted for uplift . verified 2026-08-19 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoWe cannot accept your pet for international travel if: Your puppy or kitten is less than 12 weeks old If your pet appears sedated, unwell, injured, heavily pregnant or aggressive verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Carrier size 129 × 60 × 80 cm Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as cargo, maximum carrier external carrier size is 45" x 23" x 31" (115cm x 60cm x 80cm) and the maximum pet weight is up to 92 lbs (42 kg). verified 2026-08-10 Cargo: Crate must have/be water bowl, IATA-compliant, live-animal label, a carrier Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as cargo, maximum carrier external carrier size is 45" x 23" x 31" (115cm x 60cm x 80cm) and the maximum pet weight is up to 92 lbs (42 kg). verified 2026-08-10 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesForms Required The following forms are required for domestic transports: Shipper’s Statement of Domestic Animal Transport Shippers Indemnity and Acknowledgement Sydney Freight Precinct Safety Declaration The following… verified 2026-08-12 Health certificate validity 10 days …Certificate for Live Animals Shippers Indemnity and Acknowledgement A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (if applicable) and all forms required for your destination… verified 2026-08-12 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days Shipper’s Certificate for Live Animals Shippers Indemnity and Acknowledgement A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (if applicable) and all forms required f ictions. verified 2026-07-20 Other rules Minimum age 12 weeks All pets need to be at least 12 weeks old before they are able to fly and for pets older than 12 years will need a vet certificate stating your pet is healthy enough to fly. verified 2026-08-04 Cargo pet bookings on Qantas can be updated or cancelled through Manage Booking up to 24 hours prior to departure without penalty. Confirm the exact departure time first. Then make any changes to the pet booking before that 24-hour mark to avoid a penalty. Waiting past the cutoff removes the free-change window entirely, so act early and lock the details down.
Qantas cargo does not require a brachycephalic ban, so flat-faced breeds are not automatically refused. Pets are assessed at the freight terminal to determine fitness to fly. Do not sedate the animal; sedated pets can appear sleepy and unwell, and sick pets are not accepted for uplift. Present the dog calm, alert, and healthy at the terminal.
So there it is: no cabin seat for the little one on Qantas, cargo or nothing. Rules shift by route, breed, and destination customs faster than you'd think. Don't guess and gamble at the check-in counter like I once did. Build a personalized plan with Pawgo for your exact trip, and let it flag the paperwork and cargo details before you and your dog ever leave home.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
