CollarPassDocuments to check
- Approved official health certificate for a rabbit from New Zealand
- Prepare the rabbit history and owner declaration
- Compile the approved official certificate and complete supporting records
🇦🇺Country requirements
Australia pet travel requirements
Australia admits dogs and cats under destination-defined country groups. Group 2 normally requires official identity verification 180 days ahead, a permit and at least 10 days at Mickleham. Group 3 normally requires rabies vaccination, a qualifying RNATT, 180 days from laboratory receipt in approved countries, a permit and at least 30 days quarantine; eligible official-ID or documented returning-Australian routes can reduce quarantine to 10 days. Explicit young-animal and prepared-return pathways require official evidence, not just a chosen label. All group-2/3 cats and dogs arrive in Melbourne as manifested air cargo, with species-specific tests, parasite treatments and final five-day certification. Pet rabbits are admitted only from New Zealand; pet ferrets are prohibited. Group 1 must be checked by origin and species: standard New Zealand and Norfolk Island dogs/cats use approved certificate routes without a permit or mandatory quarantine; Cocos (Keeling) cats need a permit, and its published cat guide does not establish a dog route.
This free guide includes the checked information and official links we have for this pet. Personal travel reports are available for dogs and cats only.
Pet travel at a glance — free
Start with the destination's requirements for this pet. Documents and preparation vary by origin and other conditions; read the full guidance and any unverified details below.
Preparation lead times
- Section 14 requires the official certificate to be signed not more than 5 days before the animal leaves New Zealand
- Current BICON annex clause7: treatment during the four days before export
- Official examination and all-other-rabbit inspection within48hours before export
Which pets can enter
- Dog: Some requirements need confirmation
- Cat: Some requirements need confirmation
- Rabbit: Depends on the conditions below
- Ferret: Not permitted as a pet
Vaccination requirements
Check whether vaccinations are required for your pet in the official guidance.
Read the official guidanceEntering Australia
Reference requirements for this pet. Read each item's conditions: different origins, histories and entry options can require different steps. Each item links to its official source and check date.
Before you travel
Approved official health certificate for a rabbit from New Zealand
For the certificate route under section 14 of Australia's Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021, the animal must travel with a health certificate in the form approved by the Director of Biosecurity, signed by an official veterinarian in New Zealand not more than 5 days before the day it leaves New Zealand. Arrange the current approved certificate with the exporting authority; a generic private-vet note is not sufficient.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
This is the statutory certificate route, an alternative to importation covered by an import permit under section 12. If DAFF issues an import permit for your circumstances, follow its conditions. This step does not replace any disease, treatment, identity, transport or state/territory requirements in the approved certificate or BICON.
Source: Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Check the companion-rabbit route, residence and six-week minimum age
The companion route applies to domestic Oryctolagus cuniculus belonging to a household with no more than ten rabbits older than six months, including rabbits staying at home. This is not a ten-rabbit travel allowance. Each exported rabbit must be at least six weeks old and have lived continuously in New Zealand for six months before export or since birth. The residence alternative is not a minimum age of six months. The current BICON companion-NZ route does not require a DAFF import permit or a quarantine period, provided every condition is met.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
The platform travel-party limit does not establish how many adult rabbits live in the origin household. Commercial rabbits use a separate BICON route; do not use this companion certificate for commercial exports.
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Use and record an ISO-compliant microchip
Each rabbit must have an ISO-compliant microchip. Record its number and implantation site on the veterinary certificate along with species, sex, age, description and the number of animals. A tattoo alone is not the rabbit identification option for this destination.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Prepare the rabbit history and owner declaration
Provide the official veterinarian with residence and medical records and the rabbit owner declaration. The certifier must establish no diagnosed New Zealand tularaemia in the two years before certification and no evidence at the rabbit's premises during the preceding twelve months of Treponema cuniculi, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Yersinia pestis, European brown hare syndrome or rabbit enterocolitis. The owner form asks about clinical signs in the last twelve months, other rabbits at the premises and myxomatosis vaccination; a 'no' answer requesting details is not itself a blanket prohibition. Disclose the history for the certifier to assess.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
Owner Declaration: Export of Rabbits to Australia
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Check the myxomatosis vaccination alternative
The certificate must establish either that the rabbit has not been vaccinated for myxomatosis, or that an approved live Shope Fibroma virus vaccine or an inactivated vaccine was used at least six months before export. Give the official veterinarian the actual product and date evidence. This is a conditional eligibility branch, not an instruction to vaccinate every rabbit or to impose a six-month wait on an unvaccinated rabbit.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Complete the specified ectoparasite treatment within four days before export
The annex explicitly adopted by the current BICON case requires imidacloprid treatment in accordance with the manufacturer's directions during the four days immediately before export. The veterinarian records the product, active ingredient, dose rate and date. MPI's current OMAR certificate uses the broader term ectoparasiticide; it does not remove the current destination's specific condition. Have the official veterinarian confirm the product meets both documents or obtain a formally accepted alternative before relying on a different product.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Complete official examination of the travelling and other rabbits within 48 hours
During the 48 hours immediately before export, an Official Veterinarian examines each travelling rabbit: clinically healthy, no evidence of infectious or contagious disease or visible/palpable tumours, free of external parasites and fit to travel. All other rabbits at the origin premises must also be inspected within the same 48-hour window and found healthy and free of infectious/contagious disease evidence and external parasites.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
The itinerary works with dates; the certifier must also satisfy the actual48-hour clock-time window.
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Compile the approved official certificate and complete supporting records
Arrange MPI's approved companion-rabbit zoosanitary certificate through an authorised certifier, covering all applicable histories, identity, examinations and treatment. Record the exporter, consignee, transport identification and official veterinarian's name/title/address. Each certificate page and extended-certification document needs the official signature, date and stamp; MPI's model requires an ink colour different from the paper/print, and BICON requires signed/stamped manual deletions. The linked OMAR contains the public sample certificate; the editable official template is restricted to authorised users. Keep the separate statutory requirement for official certificate signing not more than five days before leaving New Zealand.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
This preparation row supplements the existing five-day approved official health-certificate step; it does not replace, shorten or remove that statutory signing window.
MPI companion-rabbit zoosanitary certificate sample (OMAR Part2; authorised issue required)
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Obtain the separate New Zealand Animal Welfare Export Certificate
MPI's current rabbit guidance requires an AWEC in addition to the zoosanitary certificate. Complete the Owner/Vet supporting declaration with a New Zealand-registered veterinarian and present it for the MPI Official Veterinarian's animal-and-crate examination. The supporting form's owner declaration and veterinary examination/declaration are completed within thirty days of scheduled export. The AWEC and this support declaration serve New Zealand welfare requirements; the support declaration is not an export certificate and must not be sent overseas as a replacement for the zoosanitary certificate.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
The supporting form may be retained by MPI or sent directly by the veterinarian to MPI as instructed. This30-day support window does not change the rabbit-specific48-hour/24-hour final inspections.
MPI Owner/Vet supporting declaration for official certification and AWEC
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Give DAFF at least three working days notice and book the inspection
Notify the DAFF office in the state of first arrival in writing at least three working days before import, by its stated email/fax channel, and make an appointment for animal/document inspection. Include the responsible person's contact number, flight number, Air Waybill, estimated arrival date/time, list of animals and means-of-transport details. Use the current Live Animal regional contacts and arrange ABF clearance separately.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Use manifested cargo, approved routing and permitted bedding
Consign directly from New Zealand to Australia by a DAFF-approved route as manifested cargo. Transhipment needs DAFF's prior written approval. Use IATA-compliant containers, with no hay or straw bedding; treated wood shavings, sterilised peat and soft board may be used. Address the consignment to DAFF at the arrival port. Connecting flights must not leave within one hour of arrival; allow the airline cargo/biosecurity release time and any transfer between international and domestic terminals.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Check destination-state keeping and movement restrictions
Do not plan to keep a pet rabbit in Queensland: Queensland prohibits pet rabbits, and the MPI companion-rabbit OMAR excludes Queensland. Limited Queensland research/display permits are not an ordinary pet exemption. Western Australia permits domestic/commercial breeds subject to cage inspection and removal of straw, hay, seed, plant material and fresh fruit/vegetables before release; brown wild-type rabbits are prohibited from import and keeping there. Check the actual first-arrival and final-destination state authorities before travel, including any onward movement. Federal clearance alone does not grant state keeping permission.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
State conditions are not represented as an Australia-wide ban. The Queensland and Western Australia statements are directly verified; this is not a claim that every other state has no additional restrictions.
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: Queensland Government · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development · Checked Nov 12, 2026
On arrival
Complete first-port biosecurity inspection before the rabbit is released
At the first Australian arrival port, advise the inspecting officer of the entry number and keep the responsible person or nominated agent accessible. DAFF holds the consignment until the rabbit and documents are inspected, and may require that person to attend. The compliant companion-NZ route has no scheduled quarantine period, but failed conditions can lead to biosecurity detention, export or disposal without compensation. Complete the separate ABF clearance as already arranged; check onward state/cage requirements before collection and transfer.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Arrange the final official tick inspection within 24 hours before export
Within the 24 hours before export, an Official Veterinarian must inspect each exported rabbit and find it free of ticks. Keep this final check distinct from the earlier48-hour health examination and four-day treatment.
Rabbits · Departure countries/regions: NZ
Check actual appointment and flight times; a one-day calendar offset alone does not prove compliance with a24-hour window.
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Restrictions
Species, origin, age and other restrictions. Each item applies under its listed conditions.
Australia currently imports pet rabbits only from New Zealand; a rabbit from any other country can't be imported.
Rabbits · Except when all of these apply: (Departure countries/regions: NZ)
Source: Australian DAFF BICON · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Source: Australian Border Force · Checked Nov 12, 2026
How many pets can you bring?
Caps recorded for Australia can depend on the species, origin and entry conditions. Your airline can set a lower limit.
No pet cap recorded
We have not recorded a per-person or per-entry pet cap for Australia. Check the official sources before booking.
Official forms and documents
Links go to the issuing authority. We do not sell, fill in or issue official documents.
MPI companion-rabbit zoosanitary certificate sample (OMAR Part2; authorised issue required)Official page · Checked Nov 12, 2026Owner Declaration: Export of Rabbits to AustraliaOfficial page · Checked Nov 12, 2026MPI Owner/Vet supporting declaration for official certification and AWECOfficial page · Checked Nov 12, 2026
Open the official page to download or complete the form. Requirements can change; confirm with the authority before you travel.
Official sources
Every rule above is checked against these pages. Dates show our last check, not the page's own update.
Recent rule changes
Sourced entries that affect this country.
Second data batch: entry rules for Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and the six EU countries Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands (the EU six extend the shared EU base); US and China exit coverage for these routes; new airlines Condor, Aer Lingus, ITA Airways, Iberia, TAP, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand; and new/updated transit files for Munich, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Lisbon, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland.
All rule updatesExpanded destination-specific pet requirements, including origin-country branches, young-animal exemptions, official documents and entry options. Known unverified details remain clearly marked; free country summaries and personal trip reports use the same rules.
All rule updatesChecked current Australian group-specific and returning-pet guides, the live New Zealand rabbit-to-Australia case, and New Zealand 2021/2026 transition and certificate models. Added species-specific preparation, reciprocal rabbit procedures and explicit entry options; corrected calendar-month and laboratory-receipt waits and CDC domestic-journey handling. Known source conflicts and history-dependent checks remain marked. Also checked Australian dog/cat export procedures for New Zealand and the Canadian US-bound cat/ferret endorsement exemption; unverified export species remain explicit gaps.
All rule updatesPersonal reports now focus on dogs and cats; other pets keep free checked summaries and official links. Updated current China and Korea source branches, European country lists and Italian guidance; represented Japan's Kyrgyzstan suspension without incorrectly keeping Uzbekistan suspended. Vaccination expiry uses the actual certificate where required, with documented continuous-booster exemptions and explicit remaining evidence gaps.
All rule updatesChecked current official guidance on CDC digital and wet signatures and seals, Japanese export-inspection appointments and a future application-deadline notice. Verified the live Dutch US private-pet result: route-specific instructions still require NVWA confirmation. This records library verification, not a claim that the law changed on this date; remaining authority and case-specific checks stay visible.
All rule updates