Hong Kong is an approved Australian Group 3 country. The controlling chain is: readable microchip, optional official identity verification, continuous rabies vaccination, RNATT ≥0.5 IU/ml, 180-day eligibility period, BICON import permit, Mickleham booking, species-specific tests and parasite treatments, final examination and official certificate. This is a relocation-grade process, not a normal holiday workflow.
HK → AU · Dogs and cats
Hong Kong → Australia
Hong Kong is an approved Australian Group 3 country. The controlling chain is: readable microchip, optional official identity verification, continuous rabies vaccination, RNATT ≥0.5 IU/ml, 180-day eligibility period, BICON import permit, Mickleham booking, species-specific tests and parasite treatments, final examination and official certificate. This is a relocation-grade process, not a normal holiday workflow.
Source coverage incomplete; confirmation requiredLast checked: 18 Jul 2026Next source review: 18 Aug 2026
Cats and dogs must arrive directly at Melbourne International Airport as manifested cargo in an IATA-compliant crate; domestic transfer through Sydney or another Australian airport is not permitted. Transit and transhipment conditions are separate and must match the permit.
Relocation with a stable six-month preparation window, confirmed quarantine budget and a pet eligible for Group 3 import
Route timeline
Plan by dependencies, not a flat checklist.
Relocation with a stable six-month preparation window, confirmed quarantine budget and a pet eligible for Group 3 import
- 01Before RNATT and at least 180 days before export
Confirm eligibility, microchip and quarantine identity route
The pet must meet approved-country residence and breed/type rules. Official identity verification by the competent authority is optional, must occur before RNATT and cannot be done at the same visit; without it, plan for at least 30 rather than 10 quarantine days.
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry · Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - 02RNATT sample 180 days to 12 months before export
Continuous rabies vaccination and RNATT ≥0.5 IU/ml
The 180-day period runs from the date the sample arrives at the laboratory, while the RNATT remains valid for 12 months from blood collection. A vaccination lapse or late retest can restart the waiting period; all chip numbers and dates must match.
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry · Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - 03After the endorsed RNATT declaration
BICON permit and Mickleham quarantine booking
Submit the laboratory report and official RNATT declaration in BICON. An application is not an issued permit. Book quarantine only against the issued conditions and keep permit, RNATT and arrival dates inside one valid window.
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry · Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry · Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - 04Treatments in the final 45 days; exam and endorsement within 5 days
Run the exact dog/cat branch and close original documents
Dogs have additional Leptospira, Brucella (if entire), Leishmania and other permit-defined branches; cats have their own parasite schedule. Both need timed external and internal parasite treatment, final clinical examination, original official certificate and endorsed reports. Never auto-pass from a generic checklist.
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry · Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - 05After permit and quarantine are confirmed
Manifested cargo direct to Melbourne
Match the operating carrier and any approved transhipment to the permit. The animal cannot arrive in cabin or transfer domestically, and crate contents are tightly controlled for biosecurity.
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry · Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry · International Air Transport Association
Source ledger
Official sources
Every conclusion must trace back to an official source. Government forms link directly to the original publisher, and superseded documents are not treated as current requirements.
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestryGroup 3 step-by-step guide for dogs18 Jul 2026Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestryGroup 3 step-by-step guide for cats18 Jul 2026Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestryHow to import a cat or dog18 Jul 2026Hong Kong AFCDExport of pets from Hong Kong: official FAQ and certification process18 Jul 2026Hong Kong AFCDCurrent Group I import terms (June 2025 version)18 Jul 2026International Air Transport AssociationPublic pet container requirements: Container Requirement 118 Jul 2026
Official portalBICON import conditions and permit applicationAustralian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestryOfficial formAF300-HCA: official animal health certificate applicationHong Kong AFCDOfficial formAF240: Hong Kong Special Permit applicationHong Kong AFCDOfficial certificateVC-DC1: Group I veterinary certificateHong Kong AFCDOfficial certificatePC101: airline/captain's affidavitHong Kong AFCD
HK → AU · Data version 2026.07.18.2
Manage this journey in PeqabooManage the complete journey in Peqaboo.
Bring the route, dates and breed-risk choices into Peqaboo to manage records, documents, deadlines and re-checks.