If you’re considering a move to Australia, it’s understandable you’ll want to take your pets with you. After all, they’re part of the family.
Whether you’re moving for work, for a better lifestyle or to join family members overseas, there’s no need to leave your furry friends behind.
It’s a common misconception that it’s difficult to take your pet with you when moving abroad, and whilst Australia does have some restrictions, our pet relocation service can make the process simple.
We work with a British Association of Removers partner who provides pet relocation services for cats, dogs and other animals.
Working with John Mason International for your pet’s relocation to Australia means a stress-free, end-to-end service. We simply need between one and six weeks’ notice (depending on the nature of your move), and we’ll arrange everything needed for your pet′s travel plan. Our Australia Pet Relocation service includes:
By choosing John Mason International as your pet relocation specialist, you can rest assured knowing your pets will experience the highest-quality care throughout their journey to Australia. Our straightforward relocation process includes:
Throughout the process, your pet will be cared for and you will be provided with regular updates for peace of mind.
We provide relocation services for pets across the UK, to almost any location in Australia. This includes pet relocation to Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, New South Wales, Queensland and Brisbane.
We will collect your pet 2 days prior to your move date, bringing them to one of our facilities close to Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow or Manchester airports. With locations at the UK’s major airports, we are able to service the entirety of the UK.
Travelling from the UK to Australia via plane takes around 22 hours; that’s a long time, especially for animals such as cats and dogs. Not to mention the days leading up to and following the flight, where they might be in an unfamiliar environment, with other animals.
We do everything we can to prepare your pet for the relocation process, caring for them as if they were our own. We want to make sure that the journey is as stress-free as possible for you and your pet.
Prior to picking up your pet for travel, you should familiarise your pet with the crate they will be travelling in. If your pet suffers with stress and anxiety you may also want to discuss calming techniques with your veterinarian. Tranquillisers and sedatives should never be used as they can impact your pets respiratory system during air travel.
Pet relocation costs will vary depending on your unique requirements. Flight length will be factored into the final cost, so prices will differ depending if you are flying to Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, or a smaller Australian airport. The type of animal and care required will also be factored into the final cost, in addition to the admin work required to prepare the necessary documentation for customs.
On average, pet relocation to Australia costs between £X and £X.
We always make sure to provide our customers with a transparent quote prior to agreement, meaning there will never be any hidden fees or unexpected costs.
Australia has some of the most stringent import requirements for pets in order to protect their local wildlife from diseases. If you’re moving from the UK, it’s important to make sure you’ve done everything required if you want to take your pet with you.
General requirements for relocating your pet to Australia include:
By trusting John Mason International to look after your pet’s travel itinerary and documentation, we can make sure your pet has everything they need for a smooth entry process.
When relocating your dog to Australia, you will need to:
Banned dog breeds
Currently, the only animals that can be imported to Australia from the UK as pets are dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected birds.
There are unfortunately a number of dog breeds that are also banned from entering Australia, therefore if you have any of the below, you will not be able to take them with you:
Banned cat breeds
Hybrid cats can also not be imported into Australia. These include:
See the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry site for more information on banned breeds.
Australia has a highly favourable animal health status and is free from a number of cat and dog diseases. To protect this, all animals being imported from the UK are required to undergo a temporary quarantine period.
The quarantine period for pets from the UK is a minimum of 30 days, at a cost of around £1700. There may be additional charges if a longer stay is required, additional veterinary services or non-compliance fees.
If you are importing a returning pet to Australia, the quarantine period is shorter, at around 10 days.
Explore our other resources for further information about relocating with your pets and moving to Australia:
Explore Our Other Services
We also offer international removals to Australia helping to transport your belongings safely from the UK to your new home.
Pet relocation is just one of the many things you must consider when moving to Australia.
We provide a wide range of Australia relocation services to help make your move stress-free:
Although long haul flights can be a stressful experience for pets, they are typically as safe for your furry friend as they are for humans. This is particularly true if you ensure you have taken all of the necessary precautions to prepare your pet for travel, including organising a health examination, choosing a reputable pet-friendly airline, and familiarising your pet with their travel crate.
Some pets will be permitted by airlines to fly in the cabin, though most will travel in the cargo hold of the plane. The cargo area of the plane is kept safe for your pets to travel in by:
Having your pet’s travel crate securely strapped down
Controlling the air pressure in the cargo hold
Having air conditioning to control the temperature
Dimming the lights
Maintaining a quiet environment
Providing your pet is a cat, dog, rabbit or horse, and not on the banned breeds list, you should have no issues moving your pet from the UK to Australia. You will need to follow all the necessary customs requirements to ensure your pet is not refused entry.
Quarantine for cats arriving in Australia from the UK is a minimum of 30 days. This could be extended if required for health issues or concerns. For cats returning to Australia from the UK, the quarantine period is 10 days minimum.
Quarantine for dogs arriving in Australia from the UK is a minimum of 30 days. This could be extended if required for health issues or concerns. For dogs returning to Australia from the UK, the quarantine period is 10 days minimum.
The cost of flying a dog to Australia from the UK depends on many factors including the time of year, destination and documentation requirements. For a bespoke quote get in touch with our team.
The same applies for other animals including cats and rabbits.
It is not recommended for pets to fly on a full stomach. They should be fed around 4-6 hours prior to the flight and given slightly less food than usual.
They should be well hydrated for the 48 hours prior to travel and will have water attached to their crate for the duration of the flight.
It is recommended to use an expert pet relocation service to ensure the wellbeing of your pet if moving overseas. They will ensure your pet is looked after properly prior, during and post flight to give you peace of mind.
