How to Immigrate to Australia Or New Zealand With Pets

If you are immigrating to Australia or immigrating to New Zealand, what will happen to your beloved family pets? Bring them with – of course! Immigrating to a new country with your pets is not impossible when Tri-Nations Migration are there to assist you.

Taking Your Pets from South Africa To Australia 

Pets can be taken to Australia. However, there are strict restrictions in place to ensure bio-security risks are kept to a minimum:

  • All pets originating from South Africa will spend 10 days in quarantine when arriving in Australia
  • The procedure/application to send your pets over must commence at least 6 months prior to your pet’s intended departure
  • Paperwork and medical requirements must be completed within this time

The following requirements must be met:

  • Your pet must be micro-chipped
  • Your pet’s Rabies vaccinations must be up to date (a rabies test must be carried out 4 weeks after the vaccination was administered)
  • The FAVN report must be completed by a registered and recognised vet
  • Import permits and export documents must be supplied (a pet passport must be obtained)

Only cats and dogs can be imported into Australia. The following cat and dog species are however not allowed:

  • Cats: hybrids of domestic and non-domestic species, wild cats, Savannah cats, Safari cats, Chausie cats.
  • Dogs: Pitbull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario, Japanese Tos and American Pitbull Terriers.

Taking Your Pets from South Africa to New Zealand 


Much like Australia, New Zealand has restrictions in place to ensure bio-security risks are kept to a minimum when people immigrate with pets:

  • The process to apply for your pet to travel must begin at least 6 months prior to the pet’s intended departure
  • Your pet will need to be in quarantine in South Africa for 170 days prior to departure
  • Your pet will then be in quarantine for a further 10 days on arrival in New Zealand

The following requirements must be met:

  • Your pet must be micro-chipped several months prior to departure
  • Your pet must receive a new rabies vaccination with a certificate specifying how long the vaccine is valid for
  • 3 months prior to departure, your pet must be tested for rabies
  • Only then can an import permit be applied for
  • 30 days prior to arrival in New Zealand, the following tests must be carried out and the results provided:
  • Ehrlichiosis,
  • Brucellosis,
  • Leptospirosis, and
  • Heatworm
  • The following treatments must be administered:
  • Internal Parasite Treatment, and
  • Tick & flea treatments
  • A health record must be supplied by a registered and recognised vet stating that your pet is in good health and able to fly

Immigrating to Australia or New Zealand With Your Pet – Get Help from Tri-Nations Migration

At Tri-Nations Migration, we take the guess work out of immigrating to Australia or New Zealand. We can assist you with all the paperwork and preparation required to move to the new country of your choice, without leaving your much-loved pets behind. For more information and advice on moving to New Zealand or Australia with your beloved pets, contact us via email or telephone at Tri-Nations Migration today.

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