Rabies and quarantine tests for dogs and cats

CSIRO offers a testing service to pet owners that certifies their dog or cat to international quarantine standards for import or export.

• 7 June 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Importing your pet into Australia
• Exporting your pet from Australia and other countries
• Tests available
• Testing procedure

CSIRO can test your dog or cat to Australian and international quarantine standards for import and export.

The testing is done at CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL).

The rapid increase in international travel has resulted in rising demand from pet owners for this fee-based veterinary testing service so that they can establish to authorities that their pets are free of disease.

Animal diseases usually have incubation periods of at least a couple of days. That’s enough time for people to take a potentially disease-carrying animal to almost any part of the world.

Importing your pet into Australia

Cats and dogs to be imported into Australia must comply with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) protocol relevant to the country of origin.

This may require certain tests to be undertaken to show your pet is free from disease.

More information on these requirements can be obtained from:

CSIRO can test blood samples taken from your pet to ensure the animal is free from disease.

Exporting your pet from Australia and other countries

When taking your pet overseas, many countries require that it be tested to confirm freedom from disease before it is allowed entry.

Check with the importing authority of the country as to exactly which tests are required.

CSIRO's AAHL has been recognised by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) for rabies antibody testing for the UK Pet Travel Scheme and also by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry as a designated blood testing laboratory.

Tests available

AAHL can undertake the following tests:

• Rabies virus neutralization test (RFFIT)
• Nipah virus serum neutralization test (SNT)
• Nipah virus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Brucella canis tube serum agglutination test (SAT) (dogs only)
• Ehrlichia canis immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) (dogs only)
• Leptospira canicola microscopic agglutination test (MAT) (dogs only)
• Hendra virus serum neutralization test (SNT)
• Hendra virus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Tests are subject to a minimum fee of A$100. For full details of prices, please visit the Diagnostic Web Portal.

Testing procedure

For the required import and export tests, CSIRO will need to test blood samples taken from your pet by a registered veterinary surgeon.

A 1 ml serum sample prepared for each test must be sent to the AAHL in Geelong, Victoria. Results are usually available within 15 working days of receipt of samples and sent to the vet who took the samples.

Serum samples must be shipped in a transport container that conforms with IATA Packaging Instruction #650.

Blood samples submitted to AAHL for testing must have attached the Specimen Advice Note. To obtain a copy of this form please visit the Diagnostic Web Portal. 

There is also detailed information available on how to obtain and submit blood samples to AAHL for testing.

Read AAHL's Quarantine and Import Testing Service: terms and conditions.