Category 4 Information Package for Disability Assistance Dogs

Disability Assistance Dogs are not eligible for import into Australia until 180 days have elapsed from the date blood was sampled for a satisfactory Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)

These guidelines are for the importation of disability assistance dogs into Australia.

• DAFF is responsible for assessing all disability assistance dogs against the eligibility criteria listed below. Should DAFF accept that a dog and its handler meet this criteria an import permit will be granted.
• The import conditions for disability assistance dogs allow for the quarantine period to be served as "quarantine surveillance" at the disabled person’s residence. These conditions allow for the ongoing interaction between the disabled person and their assistance dog.
• Under the Quarantine Services Fees Determination, all DAFF fees are waived for eligible disability assistance dogs. The importer is responsible for all other fees, including flight and private veterinary costs.
• DAFF must grant an import permit before dogs can be imported to Australia from the countries listed in this information package. DAFF will not grant an import permit unless the required evidence is provided and the dog has been assessed and meets the eligibility criteria for disability assistance dogs.
• Dogs that do not meet the eligibility criteria may be imported under the standard import conditions for dogs.

A disability assistance dog must have been in the continuous service of its handler for at least six months prior to export to Australia. The dog must accompany its handler when travelling to Australia, and meet all DAFF requirements in full, in order to be eligible for the DAFF import conditions for assistance dogs.

The importer must provide the following documentation when applying for an import permit for a disability assistance dog:

• Evidence from a medical practitioner (including general practitioner, physician, medical specialist or clinical psychologist) confirming that the handler has a disability, and the requirement for an assistance dog to alleviate that disability.

The importer must provide a copy of the DAFF Biosecurity medical history form for disability assistance dog handlers, completed by a medical practitioner. Additional supporting documentation, including doctor’s letters, can also be provided.

• Formal evidence that the dog has graduated from a member school of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or Assistance Dogs International (ADI), or is accredited under a law of an Australian State or Territory that provides for the accreditation of animals trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability.

The importer must provide a copy of the DAFF Biosecurity Disability assistance dog training form, completed by the assistance dog’s trainer. Additional supporting documentation, including the dog’s licence/certificate and evidence of the trainer’s membership with IGDF or ADI, or accreditation under relevant Australian legislation, must also be provided.

Residency: Dogs must have been continuously living in the country of export either:

• Since birth, Or;
• for a minimum of six (6) months immediately prior to export, Or;
• since direct importation from Australia.

The dog must not be under quarantine restriction at the time of export.

Dog Breeds: Under the legislation of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, dogs of the following pure-breeds are prohibited and are not eligible for importation into Australia:

• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brazileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario

For more information on prohibited dog breeds contact the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service can be contacted by phone: +61 2 6275 6666 or 1300 363 263 (within Australia) or email Australian Customs.

Hybrids: Any domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids (e.g. wolf-dog crosses) are not eligible for import. Contact the Wildlife Trade Regulation Section, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) phone +61 6274 1111 or email.

Time Frame: Before the blood is sampled for the Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test

Dogs must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid®, Trovan®, Destron® or other ISO compatible reader. The microchip must be implanted before any testing takes place.

DAFF strongly recommends that the preparing veterinarian scans the dog at each visit to ensure that the microchip can be read by an ISO compatible microchip reader and the number is correct on all documentation. DAFF will not accept any documentation showing an incorrect microchip number.

If the microchip number cannot be read or is inconsistent across the animal’s supporting documentation, the animal will be exported from Australia at the importer’s expense.

Note: It is the importer’s responsibility to contact their local Australian council regarding dog registration and microchip requirements. DAFF cannot provide council details.

Time Frame: No more than 12 months prior to export

The dog must be vaccinated against rabies with an approved inactivated rabies virus vaccine within the 12 months prior to export and when the dog is at least three (3) months old. The rabies vaccination must be approved for use in dogs by the government veterinary administration of the country of export.

Rabies vaccination must be administered within an approved country.

You must contact the government veterinary administration in the country of export to determine which veterinarians and laboratories can prepare your cat or dog for export.

DAFF does not maintain lists of Official Government Veterinarians, Government Approved Veterinarians or approved laboratories in exporting countries.

Time frame: Disability Assistance dogs are not eligible for import into Australia until 180 DAYS have elapsed from the date blood was collected for a satisfactory RNATT

Dogs and cats respond to the rabies vaccine by producing protective antibodies against rabies virus. The RNAT test measures these antibodies to confirm that the vaccination is successful.

If the animal has never been vaccinated for rabies, DAFF recommends that at least four (4) weeks pass between the rabies vaccination and blood sampling. This will enable the animal to produce sufficient rabies antibodies to record a positive test result.

The following requirements must also be met:

• A Government Approved Veterinarian must scan the animal's microchip and collect a blood sample for the RNAT test.
• Ensure the animal's microchip number is written, exactly as it appears when scanned, on the blood tube and on the laboratory submission form. The blood sample must be drawn within a DAFF approved country.
• The testing laboratory must be approved by the government veterinary administration of the exporting country. In cases where the blood sample is forwarded to a laboratory in another country, the laboratory must be located in a DAFF approved country.
• The laboratory report must be completed on the testing laboratory’s letter head and must include the animal's microchip number, the blood sampling date, the test type, the signature of the person responsible for issuing the laboratory report and the test result.
• A result of 0.5 IU/ml or more is acceptable. A result of less than 0.5 IU/ml is not acceptable and, in this circumstance, you must re-vaccinate the cat or dog and repeat the testing process.
• DAFF recognises the RNAT test result for a period of 12 months from the date of blood sampling. The animal must have a valid RNAT test laboratory report at the time of export. If the RNAT test is due to expire prior to the date of export, DAFF advises retesting prior to expiry of the RNAT test.
• Please forward copies of any previous RNAT testing to DAFF with your import permit application.

RNAT test Declarations must be completed by an Official Government Veterinarian; this is different to the Government Approved Veterinarian (your preparing veterinarian).

You must submit the RNAT test laboratory report and rabies vaccination certificate to the Official Government Veterinarian who completes the RNAT test Declaration.

The RNAT test Declaration (original or copy) must include a visible stamp of the government veterinary administration of the exporting country.

The blank RNAT test Declaration is available in the Application to Import disability assistance dogs.

An Official Government Veterinarian must strike out any errors on the RNAT test Declaration with a single line and initial and stamp over the correction.

DAFF will not grant an import permit unless the microchip number, test result and blood sampling date are consistent between the RNAT test laboratory report and RNAT test Declaration.

Time frame: After you have received a copy of the RNATT laboratory report and the completed RNAT Test Declaration, and at least 30 days prior to export.

Application information and forms can be found at Application to Import Disability Assistance Dogs.

You must submit copies of the following documents with your import permit application:

• A DAFF Biosecurity medical history form for disability assistance dog handlers.
• A DAFF Biosecurity disability assistance dog training form, copy of the assistance dog’s licence or certificate, and evidence of the trainer’s membership with IGDF or ADI or accreditation under relevant Australian legislation.
• Disabled person’s declaration (located in the application to import disability assistance dogs).
• RNATT laboratory report.
• RNATT declaration.
• Details of your proposed itinerary – including dates of travel, Australian ports of departure/arrival, and countries that the dog has visited in the six months prior to import to Australia.
• Any other documentation that you think is useful to support your application.

Original documents are not required.

You may submit your import permit application with all supporting documentation by any of the following methods:

• eLodge at Application Forms. You will need to scan and attach all supporting documentation.
• Email animalimports@daff.gov.au. You will need to scan and attach all supporting documentation.
• Fax to +61 2 6272 3110
• Post to Animal Import Operations, GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

DAFF aims to grant all import permit applications within ten (10) working days, provided that all required information is received at the time of submission.

DAFF import permits are valid for six (6) months from the date of issue.

Time frame: As soon as you have received the import permit from DAFF

• Your dog can enter Australia at any international port/airport and must be presented to DAFF at this first port of arrival.
• Once DAFF has cleared your dog through quarantine, you may take your dog on any domestic flight within Australia.
• You should allow at least two (2) hours for DAFF to perform the clearance process on your dog upon your arrival into Australia.
• Connecting domestic flights should not be booked within four (4) hours of the dog’s arrival in Australia.
• Disability assistance dogs generally travel with their handler in the cabin. You must supply a collar, leash, food and water containers.
• During transport to Australia dogs may transit (stay on the same plane) or trans-ship (change planes) in all countries (DAFF approved or not).

You may require prior approval from the government veterinary administration in the country of transhipment. DAFF does not accept certification provided by non-approved countries, therefore transhipment of animals in non-approved countries is not recommended.

• There are animal transport companies in most countries that can make arrangements on your behalf. Visit Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International, Inc for a list of animal transport companies worldwide.
• All transport costs are at the expense of the importer.

Time frame: Between one (1) year and 14 days prior to export

Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis (canine adenovirus), canine parvovirus (parvo), para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough).

Vaccinations must be valid for the entire quarantine period in Australia. All vaccinations must have been administered within a DAFF approved country.

DAFF does not recommend vaccination against Leptospira interrogans as the vaccination can interfere with testing, which may result in dogs being ineligible for export to Australia.

Time frame: No more than one (1) year and no less than 14 days prior to export.

Dogs being exported from the USA must be fully vaccinated against canine influenza virus (CIV) and:

• If the dog has never been vaccinated against CIV – two vaccinations must be given. The interval between two doses may vary according to the brand of the vaccine. Ask your preparing veterinarian for advice.
• If the dog has been previously vaccinated against CIV - ensure that the vaccination is given no more than one (1) year and no less than 14 days prior to export.

Vaccinations must be valid for the entire quarantine period in Australia. All vaccinations must have been administered within a DAFF approved country.

Time frame: No more than 30 days prior to export.

Blood tests: Arrange for a government approved veterinarian to scan the dog’s microchip and draw blood samples for the testing of:

• Brucella canis
• Ehrlichia canis (tropical canine pancytopaenia)
• Leishmania infantum
• Leptospira canicola

The following requirements must also be met:

• The microchip number must be recorded on the blood sample tube and on the laboratory submission form.
• The blood must be sent to a testing laboratory approved by the government veterinary administration in the country of export.
• The laboratory report must be in English, on official letterhead, signed by an authorised officer at the laboratory, record the date the blood was drawn and link the dog's microchip number to the test result.
• If there is no microchip number on the laboratory report or the testing requirements are not met, the dog may not be eligible for import into Australia.
• Contact DAFF if the dog does not meet the test requirements. Do not send the dog to Australia as non-compliant animals will be returned to the country of export at the importer’s expense.

Brucellosis: Dogs must be tested for Brucella canis infection using a serum agglutination test (SAT). The test must produce a negative result.

Once blood is collected for this test the dog must not be mated or inseminated prior to export to Australia.

Ehrlichiosis: Dogs must be tested for Ehrlichia canis infection by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The test must produce a negative result at a dilution of 1:40. Testing done using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test will not be accepted.

Treatment for external parasites must commence at the same time that blood is sampled for Ehrlichia canis testing as this disease is spread by ticks.

A Government Approved Veterinarian must treat the dog with a long acting acaricide that is registered for the control of ticks, and:

• The treatment must kill ticks upon direct contact.
• Acceptable active ingredients include (but are not limited to) fiprinol, permethrin, amitraz or flumethrin.
• Washes, rinses, spot-on formulations or medicated collars that repel ticks and prevent them biting the animal are acceptable.
• Oral products, injections and products that kill ticks only after biting your animal are not acceptable.

Dogs must be continuously protected against external parasites from the time of blood sampling for Ehrlichia canis testing until the time of export, and:

• A Government Approved Veterinarian must repeat the treatment according to the manufacturer's instructions prior to the date of export.
• Treatment must be also be repeated within four (4) days prior to export irrespective of previous treatments.

Leishmaniosis: Dogs must be tested for Leishmania infantum infection by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The test must produce a negative result.

Leptospirosis: Dogs must be tested for Leptospira canicola serovar of Leptospira interrogans using a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The laboratory report must state that the testing was for the organism Leptospira canicola, and:

• Dogs that record a negative result at a serum dilution of 1:100 are eligible for import.
• Dogs that record a result of positive at 1:100 or more, but negative at 1:800, must be re-tested 14 days or more after blood was sampled for the first test. The second test must also show a negative titre result at 1:800 or less.
• Dogs that record a result positive at 1:800 or more are not eligible for import to Australia.

All dogs from Malaysia must be tested for Nipah virus by a Serum Neutralisation test. The blood sample must be collected within 45 days prior to export and record a negative result. The animal will not be eligible for import to Australia if the test result is positive.

The test must be conducted at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), Victoria, Fax: +61 3 5227 5555 Phone: +61 3 5227 5000.

Time frame: No more than 28 days prior to export

This treatment should not be given within 48 hours of treatment for external parasites as the chance of side-effects may increase.

The treatment options are:

Option 1: A government approved veterinarian must treat the dog once with imidocarb dipropionate (Forray-65®, Hoechst or Imizol® by Coopers) at a rate of 7.5 mg per kg body weight by subcutaneous injection.

Or

Option 2: A government approved veterinarian must treat the dog twice with imidocarb dipropionate (Forray-65® Hoechst or Imizol® by Coopers) at a rate of 6.6 mg per kg body weight by subcutaneous injection given two weeks apart.

Time frame: No more than four (4) days prior to export. This can be done at the same time as the completion of Veterinary Certificate A of the DAFF import permit

Internal parasites: Dogs must be treated with a product approved by the government veterinary administration, and must be effective against roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm.

External parasites: Dogs must be treated with a product approved for the treatment of ticks and fleas by the government veterinary administration in the country of export, and:

• The treatment must kill ticks upon direct contact.
• Acceptable active ingredients include (but are not limited to) fiprinol, permethrin, amitraz or flumethrin.
• Washes, rinses, spot on formulations or medicated collars that repel ticks and prevent them biting the animal are acceptable.
• Oral products, injections and products that kill ticks only after biting your animal are not acceptable.

You must have already commenced external parasite treatment for dogs at the time blood was sampled for Ehrlichia canis testing and this treatment must be repeated as per manufacturer’s instructions. The dog must also be re-treated for external parasites within four (4) days prior to export.

Time frame: No more than four (4) days prior to export

A Government Approved Veterinarian or an Official Government Veterinarian must clinically examine the animal and complete Veterinary Certificate A. You must take the animal and all documentation (e.g. import permit, vaccination certificates, laboratory reports) to this clinical examination.

The veterinarian must record the results of the following preparations in Veterinary Certificate A of the import permit:

• Rabies vaccinations
• RNAT testing
• General vaccinations
• Brucella canis, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania infantum and Leptospira canicola testing
• External parasite treatments
• Internal parasite treatment
• Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) vaccinations (if required)
• Nipah Virus testing (if required)
• Babesia canis treatment (if required)

The veterinarian must also:

• Scan the dog’s microchip number and find it identical to the number appearing on the import permit and all supporting documentation.
• Performed a thorough examination for external parasites, including visible or palpable ticks.
• Certify that the animal is fit to undertake the journey to Australia and undergo quarantine in Australia.
• Certify that the animal is free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases and parasites.

DAFF will only accept any corrections on Veterinary Certificate A if the original entry has been struck through and remains legible – correction fluid must not be used. An Official Government Veterinarian must sign to each correction.

The DAFF import permit must not be altered.

Time Frame: At least three (3) working days before your dog arrives in Australia

The importer must notify DAFF of the dog’s intended arrival at least three (3) working days prior to export. Send this information to DAFF office in the state in which the dog will arrive, and include the following:

• A copy of the valid DAFF Import Permit, including completed Veterinary Certificate A
• Name of the disabled person accompanying the dog
• Copy of the laboratory reports for Brucella canis, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania infantum and Leptospira canicola.
• Copy of Nipah virus laboratory report (for dogs arriving from Malaysia)
• Copy of your dog’s vaccination certificate(s)
• Flight details including: airline details, flight number, port of departure, port of arrival, time and date of arrival. Please also advise whether your dog will arrive as manifest cargo or in the cabin.
• Nominated address for quarantine surveillance

DAFF will fax or e-mail you confirmation of your dog’s eligibility for import, based on the documentation that you have supplied. The dog must not be loaded on the airplane without this confirmation.

If these requirements are not met or the documentation is unsatisfactory the dog may be refused entry to Australia and/or ordered into quarantine at a government quarantine facility on arrival.

A DAFF Biosecurity Officer will meet you and your dog on arrival.

Time frame: After the completion of Veterinary Certificate A, usually on the day of departure

An Official Government Veterinarian must complete Veterinary Certificate B of the import permit.

The Official Government Veterinarian must scan the dog and confirm that the microchip number is consistent with that on the DAFF import permit and all supporting documents.

You must present the following documents to the Official Government Veterinarian for endorsement (signature and stamp):

• Original or copy of the DAFF import permit
• Completed Veterinary Certificate A
• General and rabies vaccination certificates
• RNAT test laboratory report and Declaration
• Brucella canis, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania infantum and Leptospira canicola laboratory reports in English
• Nipah virus laboratory report (if required)
• Confirmation of eligibility letter from DAFF

Time frame: Please check with your airline

The DAFF import permit, Veterinary Certificates A and B, and blood test results must accompany the dog to Australia. These documents may be originals or copies but must bear the original signature and stamp of the Official Government Veterinarian.

Neither the disability assistance dog nor the handler may leave the international airport before being cleared by a DAFF Biosecurity Officer. A DAFF Biosecurity Officer will meet you on arrival, audit all documentation, and examine your dog.

If the documentation is incomplete or unsatisfactory, or if the dog is showing signs of disease or infestation with external parasites, a DAFF Biosecurity Officer may order the dog to be re-treated, ordered into quarantine at a government operated animal quarantine station, or exported to the country of origin.

If the documentation is satisfactory, the DAFF Biosecurity Officer will endorse the Disabled Persons Declaration and release the dog under quarantine surveillance. The DAFF Biosecurity Officer will provide a copy of the Disabled Person’s Declaration to the handler.

The dog must then serve 30 days under quarantine surveillance at your nominated address.

Quarantine Surveillance

DAFF may visit the nominated address at any point during the period of quarantine surveillance.

While under quarantine surveillance (the details of which are set out in the Disabled Persons Declaration), the dog may be subject to additional testing or treatments, as specified by DAFF, at the importers expense.

You must take the dog to a veterinarian on the proposed end date of the quarantine surveillance. The veterinarian must examine the dog and complete the form “Report to DAFF on the health of a disability assistance dog completing post arrival quarantine surveillance”. This form is found in the DAFF import permit. You must then submit the completed form to DAFF. DAFF will assess the form with a view to releasing the dog from quarantine surveillance.

Dogs returning to Australia after a period of less than six (6) months from export

You should consider the following when deciding whether or not to take your dog out of Australia:

• Dogs exported from Australia immediately relinquish their Australian status.
• DAFF cannot guarantee that animals exported from Australia will be eligible for re-import.
• Dogs exported from Australia may be exposed to exotic diseases and may not be eligible for return to Australia.
• Only dogs in a DAFF approved country may be eligible for direct return to Australia.
• All import conditions must be met in full.

Dogs returning within six months of being exported from Australia

In order to be considered for the minimum 30 day quarantine period upon their return to Australia, dogs must be prepared against rabies prior to departure from Australia.

You must provide evidence of the following:

• An ISO compatible microchip was implanted in the animal.
• A DAFF approved veterinarian vaccinated the animal against rabies.
• Four weeks later a DAFF approved veterinarian collected and sent a blood sample to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) for a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNAT test).
  • The RNAT test report from AAHL must record the animal's microchip number, blood draw date and a result of greater than 0.5 IU/ml. DAFF must sign and stamp this laboratory report prior to the animal’s export from Australia.
  • DAFF recognises the RNAT test results for a period of 12 months from the date of blood sampling. DAFF advises retesting before the RNAT test expires. The animal must have a valid RNAT test at the time of import into Australia.

Visit the following webpage for more information Cats and Dogs Returning to Australia

• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• New Zealand
• Norfolk Island

• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Falkland Islands
• Fiji
• French Polynesia
• Guam
• Hawaii
• Iceland
• Japan
• Mauritius
• New Caledonia
• Norway
• Singapore
• Taiwan
• Vanuatu

• American Samoa
• Christmas Island
• Cook Islands
• Federation States of Micronesia
• Kingdom of Tonga
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Niue
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Tuvalu
• Western Samoa
• Wallis and Futuna

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Belgium
• Bermuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Canary/Balearic Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Chile
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• France
• Finland
• Germany
• Greece
• Greenland
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Kuwait
• Luxembourg
• Macau
• Malaysia (Peninsular, Sabah & Sarawak only)
• Malta
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands - Antilles and Aruba
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar
• Reunion
• Serbia
• Saipan
• Seychelles
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sweden
• Switzerland (including Liechtenstein)
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America (not including Hawaii)
• US Virgin Islands
• Uruguay

• Republic of South Africa

DAFF does not allow the direct importation of cats and dogs from non-approved countries. The importation can only occur indirectly via an approved country. Dogs must be continuously resident in an approved country for a minimum of six months prior to export to Australia. Dogs then become eligible for import into Australia under the DAFF import conditions that apply to that particular approved country. DAFF will not accept any vaccinations or blood testing that is completed in a non-approved country.