Australia Pet Quarantine: What to Expect
Post-entry quarantine is the ultimate statutory checkpoint protecting Australia's island ecosystem against foreign pathogens such as rabies, canine brucellosis, and exotic tick-borne parasites. All companion animals entering Australia from Group 2 and Group 3 countries must complete a mandatory stay at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Victoria. Understanding how the facility operates, exact quarantine lengths, daily care routines, and collection procedures ensures a smooth, stress-free arrival for your dog or cat.
Where Quarantine Takes Place
All companion animal quarantine in Australia is centralized at a single, world-class government installation: the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility, located in Mickleham, Victoria. Built by the Australian Government at a cost of over AUD $300 million, the compound represents the global gold standard in biosecurity engineering, hygiene control, and animal welfare.
Canine Accommodation at Mickleham
Dogs are housed in large, individual indoor-outdoor runs with underfloor heating, climate-controlled evaporative cooling, and automated fresh air ventilation. The facility features secure, grassy outdoor exercise yards where dogs receive regular rotation and human enrichment under veterinary supervision.
Feline Accommodation at Mickleham
Cats stay in dedicated, multi-level cattery suites separated from the dog compounds. Suites feature private sleeping quarters, vertical climbing shelves, scratching posts, and separate litter zones. Temperature and humidity are closely regulated to ensure maximum comfort and reduce relocation anxiety.
When your pet's cargo flight touches down at Melbourne Airport, you do not meet or collect your pet at the terminal. Instead, authorized DAFF biosecurity officers meet the aircraft directly at the freight bond, inspect the IATA container seals, verify the microchip, and transfer the animal into a climate-controlled DAFF vehicle for direct escort to the Mickleham facility.
Length of Stay
The length of time your pet spends in Mickleham quarantine depends directly on their country of export, the accuracy of their pre-export veterinary documentation, and their clinical health status upon intake inspection.
Standard Track: 10 Days
Target PathwayApplies to pets arriving from Group 2 countries, or Group 3 countries where all conditions were satisfied:
- Valid ISO 11784/11785 microchip scanned correctly at every check.
- RNATT rabies titer score ≥ 0.50 IU/mL processed by approved reference lab.
- Official Government Vet completed the RNATT identity declaration.
- Arrival in Australia occurred 180+ days after the RNATT blood sample was drawn.
- Zero ticks, fleas, or clinical signs of communicable illness on intake.
Extended Track: 30 Days
Risk / DiscrepancyQuarantine is automatically extended to 30 days (or more) if:
- The RNATT identity declaration form was not endorsed by an official government vet.
- The pet arrives in Australia before the 180-day titer waiting period has fully elapsed.
- Ticks or live external parasites are discovered during intake inspection.
- Pre-export canine blood tests (Ehrlichia, Brucella, Leishmania) require re-testing.
- The animal develops clinical signs of infectious disease requiring isolation.
Daily Veterinary Monitoring & Welfare Routines
During quarantine, dedicated DAFF animal attendants monitor every pet twice daily for appetite, hydration, demeanor, and physical health. High-quality commercial diets (Royal Canin, Hills Science Diet, Advance) are provided, though owners may submit special dietary requests or prescription medications. If an animal requires veterinary intervention, accredited government veterinarians examine and treat the pet immediately in Mickleham's on-site surgical clinic.
Fees and Booking
Mickleham operates under full statutory cost recovery. Fees cover government inspection, secure transfer from Melbourne Airport, daily kennel/cattery accommodation, routine clinical observations, and final release clearance.
Mickleham PEQ Quarantine Fee Breakdown (2026)
Official Australian Government post-entry quarantine charges for dogs and cats.
| Fee Item | Estimated Charge (AUD) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 10-Day Stay (Single Dog or Cat) | AUD $2,200 – $2,800 | Includes airport pickup, board, meals, and discharge check |
| Additional Pet Sharing Same Cattery / Kennel | Approx. 50% discount on daily rate | Permitted for compatible pets of same species from same household |
| Extended Quarantine Daily Rate (Beyond 10 Days) | AUD $150 – $220 / day | Charged if stay is extended to 30 days due to discrepancies |
| Parasite Re-Treatment & Diagnostics | AUD $150 – $400 | Applied if live ticks, fleas, or abnormal lab values are found |
How to Secure a Booking at Mickleham PEQ
- Obtain Your DAFF Import Permit: You cannot book PEQ until your BICON permit has been officially granted and assigned a reference number.
- Access the PEQ Reservation Portal: Log into the DAFF Post Entry Quarantine online reservation system using your BICON credentials.
- Select Entry Date: Choose your target arrival date at Melbourne Airport. System will confirm suite availability for your pet's species and size.
- Pay Initial Deposit: A non-refundable booking deposit is required to confirm the reservation.
- Submit Flight Waybill: Provide your confirmed airway bill (AWB) number at least 2 weeks before travel to coordinate terminal collection.
Visiting and Collection
The strict biosecurity regulations that make Australia free of major animal diseases also govern visitor policies and discharge procedures at Mickleham.
✕ Strict No-Visiting Policy
Owners, family members, and personal handlers are strictly forbidden from visiting pets during quarantine. There are no exceptions for birthdays, anxiety, or medical concerns. Entry into the animal compounds is restricted solely to authorized biosecurity officers and registered veterinary personnel.
To keep pet parents informed, Mickleham staff provide status updates via your PEQ online portal. If any health issues arise, a government veterinarian contacts the importer directly via telephone.
✓ Release Day Collection Protocol
On the 10th day (usually in the morning between 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM), once the final clinical examination is signed off, your pet is cleared for collection:
Frequently Asked Questions About Australia Pet Quarantine
Official regulatory answers regarding Mickleham PEQ facility location, stay durations, daily fees, and collection procedures.