Livestock - Export by air
Under Australia's Export Control Act 1982, an export permit and a health certificate are required for export of all livestock from Australia. Livestock are defined as cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, camelids and deer.
More information on the legislation can be found on the ComLaw website via the links below:
The steps below outline the process involved in preparing livestock for export by air transport:
- Obtain an livestock export licence—prepare an operations and governance manual
- Forward to AQIS a Notice of intention for livestock exports by air transport form
- Comply with the importing country's requirements
- Pre-export preparation
- Loading
- End of journey report
- Auditing
- AQIS fees and charges
- AQIS Animal Exports offices
1. Obtain a livestock export licence—prepare an operations and governance manual
An exporter must have a livestock export licence to export livestock. To obtain further information on export licences, view the Obtaining a livestock export licence web page.
2. Forward to AQIS a Notice of intention for livestock exports by air transport form
Complete a Notice of intention for livestock exports by air transport (NOI) form and return it by fax, email or mail to the Live Animal Exports Program in Canberra.
Notice of intention for livestock exports by air transport 
PDF [282kb]
Notice of intention for livestock exports by air transport 
Word [145kb]
Phone: 02 6272 4581
Fax: 02 6272 5423
Email: Live Animal Exports
Mail: Live Animal Exports Program
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
The Export Control Act 1982 requires that the NOI and any other supporting documentation is received at least 10 days before pre-export quarantine or isolation of the animal/s commences (if quarantine or isolation is required by the importing country, or if pre-export quarantine/isolation is not required, 10 working days before the proposed export).
The NOI must include information as to how the exporter plans to comply with the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL), the treatment and testing schedule in accordance with the importing country requirements. The import permit (if required) and importing country conditions must also be included. If these documents are not in English, a certified, translated copy is required. AQIS requires certified translation by NAATI level 2/3 translators.
View the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).
3. Comply with the importing country's requirements
The exporter is responsible for obtaining the importing country requirements and ensuring that the animal(s) are prepared in accordance with the importing country's requirements.
To obtain information on the preparation and health requirements for the species of animal being exported it may be necessary to:
- Visit the official website of the relevant government authority for the destination country.
- Directly contact the relevant government authority by phone, post or email to obtain the latest import requirements in writing. The country's embassy may also be able to assist.
- If the importing country requires an import permit this may also detail the specific preparation and health requirements that need to be met.
Only official documentation published or issued by the relevant government authority in the importing country is acceptable to AQIS as the basis for the preparation and health status of the animal(s) intended for export. Health certificates will not be issued based on information from other sources other than the official website of the responsible government authority in the importing country or appropriately identified government documents.
If the importing country requires that the animals are subject to isolation, quarantine or separation, the premise must be approved by an AQIS authorised officer. The NOI acts as a request to AQIS to approve the premises for the purpose of isolation of the animals. The premises must meet the requirements of the importing country for pre-export quarantine or isolation. The exporter may be asked to supply further information or to allow an AQIS authorised officer to inspect the premises, to assess whether or not to approve the premises.
If the NOI is approved, AQIS will provide written notification of the approval of the NOI to the exporter and attach one or more 'Approved Export Plans (AEP)'. The approval of the NOI provides permission for the exporter to prepare the livestock in accordance with the NOI.
The AEP includes the tasks to be undertaken by the AQIS Accredited Veterinarian (AAV) assisting the exporter prepare the livestock. The AEP is based on the information supplied in the NOI and may include requirements for: pre-export isolation or quarantine; treatment and testing of the live-stock as required by the importing country protocol or the import permit. The exporter must provide the AEP to the AAV who will undertake the activities in the AEP.
To learn more about AAVs, view the AQIS Accredited Veterinarians (Livestock) web page.
The exporter must supply a copy of this AEP to the exporter's nominated AAV.
If circumstances change after the approval of the NOI, the exporter must to write to AQIS in Canberra to document the changes and obtain approval before continuing preparation.
Any preparation of a consignment undertaken before the approval of the NOI is at the exporter's commercial risk.
4. Pre-export preparation
Once the NOI approval and the AEP are issued the exporter can prepare the consignment for export.
At least three working days before export, the exporter must contact the AQIS regional office to make an appointment for AQIS attendance at the airport or at the approved premises. AQIS veterinary officers may inspect the animals for export before at the premises before departing for the airport. The exporter must also supply documents to demonstrate that all importing country requirements were met to the AQIS regional office. These include:
- documents to demonstrate that the approved NOI and AEP were complied with
- declarations from the exporter and accredited veterinarian
- loading plans and crate specifications
- other information specific to the importing country requirements or the ASEL
AQIS will assess these documents to ensure that the requirements of the NOI and AEP have been met, and that the travel and loading plans meet the ASEL.
5. Loading
The livestock, (feed and water if required) are then loaded in accordance with the approved travel and loading plan. The exporter must then confirm the animal management instructions with the AQIS veterinarian.
After the consignment is loaded, if AQIS is satisfied that all the requirements have been met, AQIS will then issue a health certificate indicating the livestock meet the health requirements of a specified importing country (if required) and the export permit.
6. End of journey report
If a notifiable incident, as defined in the ASEL, occurs during the journey, AQIS must be must be advised as soon as possible and within 12 hours.
At the completion of the journey, an end of journey report must be completed and sent to AQIS within five working days.
End of journey report PDF [39kb]
End of journey report Word [72kb]
7. Auditing
The purpose of auditing is to ensure that the exporter is complying with the Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997, the Export Control Act 1982 and their subordinate legislations.
8. AQIS fees and charges
The fees applicable for the export of livestock are included in the Export Control (Fees) Order 2001.
9. AQIS Animal Export offices
AQIS offices are open Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
| Office/Region | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney, New South Wales | 1 Crewe Place Rosebery, NSW, 2018 | 02 8334 7432 | 02 8334 7430 |
| Melbourne, Victoria and Tasmania | 255 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine, VIC 3043 | 03 8308 5069 or 03 8308 5072 | 03 8308 5071 |
| Cairns, North Queensland | Airport Administration Centre, Cairns International Airport, QLD 4870 | 07 4030 7800 | 07 4035 9578 |
| Brisbane, South Queensland | 42-44 Qantas Drive, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009 | 07 3246 8731 | 07 3246 8798 |
| Adelaide, South Australia | Adelaide International Airport, Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Export Park, SA 5950 | 08 8201 6000 | 08 8305 9820 |
| Perth, Western Australia | 9 Fricker Road, Perth Airport, WA 6105 | 08 9334 1555 | 08 9334 1668 |
| Darwin, Northern Territory | 1 Pederson Road, (Cnr Henry Wigley Road), Marrara, NT 0812 | 08 8920 7000 | 08 8920 7011 |
| Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City, ACT 2601 | 02 6272 4581 | 02 6272 5423 |
Please note: The information provided in this web page is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Live Animal Exports Program endeavours to keep this web page current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. The general public are advised to contact the relevant AQIS office for the latest information.