Are the new Australian Dog Import Rules unreasonable?

The chaos that ensued when the new import rules came into effect in March 2023 proved a huge headache and a severe amount of stress for pet parents around the globe. Seriously it was like a run away freight train. The rules were confusing, the lead time, well there wasn't any, and the upheaval many people faced was quite frankly unacceptable.

Okay so the new rules are designed to keep Australia free of rabies. I get this. Im an Australian and have always respected our very diverse and precious bio-diversity. But the nature in which these new changes were introduced was a nightmare for many, and the confusion and anxiety is still being felt months later.

So the bottom line is all animals must spend 180 days in an approved country prior to export to Australia. When the changes were announced DAFF had some 2100 applications under assessment for dog & cat imports, which they say was a caseload consistent with peak periods at the time. Add a massive change to the regulations and their time scales escalated leaving people in various parts of the world in limbo with their travel plans. Early in 2023 more than 12,000 people signed a Change.org petition calling the government to overturn what they say are 'unreasonable' rules. Nothing changed and the changes are firmly in place.

The knock on effect of these changes will be felt for years to come. Add the centralisation of the quarantine facility to this and the whole complex process has become an utter nightmare for many. I don't have the answers. Nor do I have a solution. But what I do know is that on the world stage Australia is being perceived as some sort of fortress. Many blogs, forums and groups I am associated with are full of dog owners in the international community re-thinking their immigration plans, wondering if Australia is becoming a nation of 'rules for rules sake'.

My husband and I have experienced the import process into Australia on 4 separate occasion with our pooches. Each time the complexities remain. Of course we know more now than we ever did but it still doesn't remove the unforgiving, arduous tasks that lie ahead.

If there is one piece of advice I can give is that do not leave anything to chance. The reality is you need to school yourself in the process so you stay on the heels of your pet transport company if you to choose one. Alternatively be super vigilant if you decide to go most of the process alone. Do not leave any stone unturned and keep probing and asking questions until you feel some semblance of assurance. Importing dogs into Australia has always been a tough complex process. Made even harder now with so many changes.

Partner with people who will guide and support you throughout and lean on the international community to get the advice and information you need.

The image below is when I collected our 'soy boy' after his trip from Australia to Barcelona, Spain. The relief you feel is unreal! That moment is etched in my mind every single time we go through this process.