Travelling with your pet to Australia and OV66 Information

Historically dogs and cats being exported to Australia have been required to be quarantined for 30 days upon arrival – this is still the case when export is performed by a standard official veterinarian (OV). A new system has been created whereby this period can be shortened to only 10 days – this has specific requirements and the export preparation must be performed by an OV with additional authorisation that is specific for the export of dogs and cats to Australia – this is known as OV66 authorisation.

 

At Acorn House we have two vets with OV66 authorisation who are able to help with this process (Rosie and Henry) to obtain a shortened 10-day post export quarantine period. The process to achieve this is as follows:

 

1. Rabies vaccination – this can be performed by any vet at Acorn House

 

2. 1st ID verification and ID declaration – one of the key requirements for the shortened quarantine period is confirmation of patient identity by an OV66 authorised vet. This is done during an extended appointment. The vet will require your pet’s microchip details, including the database to which this is registered (as this needs to be government approved), as well as details of the rabies vaccination if this was not administered at Acorn House.

 

3. 2nd ID verification and ID declaration – the 2nd ID check must be performed by a different OV66 authorised vet to the first, and they must work at a different practice. This means that if the first check was performed at Acorn House, the 2nd must be performed by an OV66 authorised vet at another practice, or vice versa. Again, microchip and rabies vaccination details are required. Once the ID declaration has been accepted by the Australian government it remains valid for as long as your pet’s microchip is valid and functioning.

 

4. Blood sample for rabies antibodies – this is a requirement to show that the rabies vaccine has been effective in mounting an immune response. It must be performed by an OV66 authorised vet, 180-365 days prior to export. It is recommended that this is done at least 4 weeks after the rabies vaccination. This can be done at the same time as the second ID check.

 

5. Rabies blood test result declaration – once the results of the blood test are received, a declaration that these are valid must be produced. This requires both the test results and evidence of vaccination to be available, and must be performed by a different OV66 authorised vet to the one who obtained the blood sample.

 

Other tests (for infectious diseases) and treatments (for parasites) will be required for the export paperwork; these can be carried out by any of the vets at Acorn House as long as your pet’s microchip is verified at each visit. We recommend engaging an external pet export travel company to help guide you through this, as the requirements are variable and it is important that these are timed correctly.

 

Final export health certification prior to travel – this must be performed by an OV66 authorised vet and must be a different vet to the one who carried out the blood sampling. This can be done at Acorn House or by a vet from an external travel company if you prefer.

 

Our current prices for the above appointments/paperwork are as follows:

  • Rabies vaccination (single dose): £96

  • OV66 identification verification and declaration: £245

  • Rabies blood test: £152.70

  • Rabies blood test result declaration: £55.00

  • Flea and worm administration and declaration: £67.50

  • Export health certificate: £298

 

Further blood tests will be charged depending on what is required for export; this will be discussed with you by your vet as the export process progresses.


Please be aware that our standard consultation fees will also be charged for appointments solely for blood tests or flea and worm treatment administration. A deposit may be required for ID checks and export health certification appointments.

 

Updated April 2026