How long does it take to move a dog from France to Australia?

Plan for 6–7 months minimum. Australia requires a 60-day import permit lead time, plus 30 days after rabies vaccination before the titer test, then 180 days waiting for the test result before travel.

Will my dog have to go into quarantine in Australia?

Yes, quarantine is mandatory at an approved Australian Government facility (Mickleham, Victoria) for a minimum of 10 days, even if all pre-arrival requirements are met.

What vaccinations does my dog need to travel from France to Australia?

Your dog needs a microchip (before vaccination), primary rabies vaccination, a booster, and a rabies antibody titer test showing ≥0.5 IU/ml. A health certificate endorsed by French authorities is also required.

Can my 25kg dog fly in the cabin from France to Australia?

No. Most airlines on this route have 8kg cabin weight limits. Your dog will need to fly cargo or you'll need to book a pet-specific airline service.

What's the cost of moving a dog to Australia from France?

Costs vary widely (import permits, titer tests, health certificates, quarantine fees, airfare), but expect €3,000–€8,000+ total. We're still verifying exact quarantine facility costs—check with DAFF directly.

Moving Your Dog to Australia from France: Complete Guide

The Day Everything Changed

I remember the moment my boss asked if I'd relocate to Sydney. My heart sank before it soared. The opportunity was incredible—a promotion, a new chapter, a chance to live on the other side of the world. But then I looked at Koda, my 25kg Labrador mix, snoozing on the kitchen tiles in our Lyon apartment, and thought: How on earth do I take him with me?

That question launched me into a six-month odyssey of paperwork, vet visits, and more acronyms than I thought existed. If you're facing the same decision—relocating from France to Australia with your pet—this guide is the roadmap I wish I'd had when I started.

The Reality Check: Timeline and Planning

Here's what nobody tells you: moving a pet internationally isn't like booking a flight. Australia requires minimum 6–7 months of advance planning. When I first heard that, I panicked. But once I broke it down, it made sense.

The timeline works like this:

Months 1–2: Get your import permit from the Australian Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAFF). This alone requires 60 days lead time.
Months 2–3: Microchip your pet (if not already done), then get the primary rabies vaccination. You must microchip before vaccinating, or the vaccine won't count.
Month 3+: Wait 21 days after the primary vaccination, then get a booster.
Month 4: Once the booster is done, wait another 30 days, then have an approved laboratory perform a rabies antibody titer test.
Months 4–7: Wait 180 days from the titer test result before you can travel. Yes, six months. Australia is serious about rabies.
Month 7: Book your flight and quarantine facility. Arrange your health certificate (valid for only 10 days, so time it carefully).

I won't lie—watching Koda get his second rabies shot and then being told I couldn't leave for another six months was frustrating. But it's non-negotiable. Australia is rabies-free and intends to stay that way.

The Paperwork Gauntlet

Microchip and Identification

Both France and Australia require an ISO 11784/11785 microchip. If your pet doesn't have one, get it implanted first—before any vaccinations. The microchip is your pet's passport; without it, the vaccination chain is broken.

Koda already had his from a rescue, so I was grateful for one less task. But I had to verify it was the right standard with my vet. Don't assume.

Rabies Vaccination and Titer Testing

This is where the timeline gets strict:

Primary rabies vaccination must be given when your pet is at least 12 weeks old.
You must wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before traveling (or before the booster).
A booster vaccination is required.
The titer test (rabies antibody titre test) must be performed at least 30 days after the final vaccination.
The test result must show ≥0.5 IU/ml and must be conducted at an approved laboratory.
You cannot travel until 180 days have passed since the titer test result.

I had Koda's titer done at a lab my vet recommended. The test itself was straightforward—a blood draw—but the waiting was brutal. I'd refresh my email obsessively, waiting for the result. When it finally came back positive, I actually teared up.

Health Certificate

You need a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the Australian Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAFF). In France, this means having your vet complete the official form and submit it to the relevant French agricultural authority for endorsement.

The certificate is valid for only 10 days, so time it to arrive in Australia within that window. I coordinated mine to arrive just before my flight—no room for delays.

Import Permit

Australia requires an import permit, issued by DAFF. Apply at least 60 days before your intended travel date. You'll need:

Your pet's microchip number
Proof of rabies vaccination
Your titer test result
Your intended arrival date and port of entry

The permit itself doesn't cost much, but the administrative burden is real. I used an email template from DAFF's website and submitted everything at once. It took about three weeks to get approval.

The Quarantine Reality

Australia requires mandatory quarantine at an approved facility—specifically, the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Melbourne, Victoria. Even if your pet meets every requirement, quarantine is not waivable. The minimum duration is 10 days, though it can extend if any issues arise.

You must book your quarantine slot in advance. When I called to arrange Koda's stay, I learned the facility was booked solid for months. I had to coordinate my flight arrival around their availability, not the other way around.

The facility is professional and clean, but leaving Koda there for 10 days was one of the hardest parts of the move. I visited him twice during quarantine. He was fine—better than fine, actually, playing with other dogs—but I missed him terribly.

Breed Restrictions

Australia bans certain dog breeds outright:

American Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Perro de Presa Canario

Koda is a Labrador mix, so he was clear. But if you have a restricted breed, Australia won't allow entry, period. Check your dog's papers carefully.

Cats are not subject to breed restrictions in Australia.

Getting to Australia: Airline Options

Here's where I hit a wall: Koda is 25kg. Most airlines on the France–Australia route have cabin weight limits of 8kg. That meant cargo.

Let me be clear: I was nervous about cargo travel. But modern pet cargo services are professional, climate-controlled, and designed for animal safety. Koda flew cargo with Air France, and he arrived in perfect condition.

Here's a breakdown of your options:

Airline	Cabin	Cargo	Brachycephalic OK	Weight Limit	Fee
Air France	Yes	Yes	No	8 kg	€75
British Airways	No	Yes	No	8 kg	—
Lufthansa	Yes	Yes	No	8 kg	€75
Delta Air Lines	Yes	Yes	No	8 kg	$125 USD
United Airlines	Yes	No	No	8 kg	$150 USD

If your pet is under 8kg and not a brachycephalic breed (flat-faced dogs like Bulldogs or Pugs), cabin travel is an option. But for larger dogs like Koda, cargo is the way. Book early—pet cargo slots fill up quickly on long-haul routes.

Note: All airlines on this route ban brachycephalic breeds from cabin travel due to respiratory risks at altitude. If you have a flat-faced dog, cargo is your only option, and you'll need to consult with the airline about safety protocols.

Port of Entry

Australia restricts pet arrivals to Melbourne (MEL). You cannot arrive at Sydney, Brisbane, or any other port. This matters for your flight planning. I had to route through Melbourne even though my job was in Sydney, then arrange ground transport for Koda after quarantine.

The Cost Reality

Nobody asked, but I'll tell you anyway: this was expensive. Between the import permit, titer test, health certificate, vet visits, airfare (cargo is pricier than passenger), quarantine fees, and miscellaneous costs, I spent roughly €5,500. Some of that was my own inefficiency, but expect €3,000–€8,000+ depending on your choices.

Special Considerations for Cats

If you're moving a cat instead of a dog, the requirements are similar but with some differences:

Cats also need an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (before vaccination).
Rabies vaccination and booster are required, with the same 21-day waiting period.
A titer test is required (≥0.5 IU/ml), performed at least 30 days after final vaccination.
Quarantine is mandatory for 10 days at an approved facility.
An import permit from DAFF is required (60-day lead time).
Tick treatment is required (we're still verifying the specific drug and timing—check with DAFF).
Cats are not subject to breed restrictions.

The timeline and process are essentially identical to dogs, so this guide applies to cat owners too.

The Emotional Side

I want to be honest: the paperwork and logistics are one thing, but the emotional weight is another. Koda has been my constant for seven years. The thought of him being stressed, or something going wrong, kept me up at night. I obsessively checked his microchip, verified his vaccination records, and probably asked my vet the same questions three times.

But here's what I learned: if you follow the process, it works. Koda arrived in Australia healthy, happy, and ready to explore his new home. The 10 days in quarantine were hard on me, not him. And now, six months into our Sydney life, he's thriving on Bondi Beach.

Your Next Steps

Start with the documents checklist and bookmark the flying with a dog guide. If you have a flat-faced breed, read the brachycephalic breed guide immediately.

Contact DAFF directly for the most current requirements. Rules change, and you need official confirmation. Your vet should also be familiar with international pet travel—if they're not, find one who is.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo—it'll save you hours of research and help you avoid costly mistakes.

Data verified from official sources (French agricultural authority, Australian Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) and auto-updated as of April 2026.