GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia. Telephone 1800 900 090  20 October  2022  
Animal Biosecurity Advice 2022 -A05 
Review of the rabies virus risk in imported dogs, cats 
and canine semen from approved countries  – draft 
report  
We invite you to comment on the draft re port  by 21 November 2022.  
The draft re port  is available  to review and comment  on at our website at  
haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/ .  
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has conducted a policy review of the rabies 
virus risk in imported dogs, cats and canine semen from approved countries. This draft report  is now 
available for stakeholder comment on our Have Your Say page .  
Rabies virus is the most significant disease agent of biosecurity concern associated with the 
importation of dogs and cats. Rabies virus is exotic to Australia and infected animals can transmit the 
virus to humans.  Once clinical signs develop, infection with r abies vi rus is almost always fatal. The 
World Health Organisation  estimates that rabies causes tens of thousands of human deaths each 
year, up to 99% of which are due to transmission by infect ed dogs .   
The current import conditions are based on the  2013  Importation of dogs and cats and their semen 
from approved coun tries: final policy review  (2013 review). The 2013 review had an increased 
emphasis on offshore management for rabies virus to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of 
protection. This reduced the need for extended periods of post -entry quarantine. This approach 
relied heavily on importer compliance and certification provided by overseas competent authorities.  
However , since the 2013 review, there have been significant changes to the volume of imports and 
increasing commercialisation of t rade. This has increased the rabies biosecurity risk for the 
importation of dogs  and cats. Many countries, including Australia, have reported increases in 
detected and suspected fraudulent certification and other documents associated with companion 
animal imports. Consequently, a review of the policy for rabies was required.  
The key proposal s of the draft policy review are:  
• All dogs and cats must be implanted with an International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) 
compatible microchip prior to commencing pre -export preparation.  
• Dog and cats must not have resided in unapproved countries during the 180 days prior to export to 
Australia.  
• Dogs and cats from group 2 and 3 approved countries must have an identity check, which includes 
scanning of the microchip, by the exporting country’s competent authority at least 180 days before 
export and prior to commencing any export preparations. Evidence of the identity check must be 
presented as part of the import permit application process.  Biosecurity advice 2022/A05 
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries  and Forestry  
 2  • For dogs and cats from group 2 approved countries, there is no change to the current mandatory 
minimum 10 days post entry quarantine period.  
• For dogs and cats from group 3 approved countries, rabies vaccination must be current at the time of 
export to Australia.  
• For dogs an d cats from group 3 approved countries, an adequate rabies neutralising titre test (RNATT) 
laboratory report will be valid for 12 months only.  
• For dogs and cats from group 3 approved countries, the mandatory post entry quarantine will be at 
least 30 days i f animals have been prepared in compliance with the pre -export measures.  
• For dogs and cats from group 3 approved countries, if required there may be additional post -entry 
verification activities to verify compliance with the pre -export measures. In such ca ses, animals should 
not be held in post entry quarantine for more than 180 days.  
The department invites comments on the technical aspects of the proposed risk management 
measures associated with the importation of dogs and cats by 21 November 2022 . In part icular, 
comments are sought on their appropriateness and any other measures stakeholders consider  would 
provide equivalent risk management outcomes. All submissions received on the draft r eport  will be 
carefully considered by Animal Biosecurity in finalisi ng this review of existing policy.  
To receive information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses subscribe to Biosecurity Risk Analysis 
Animal on the depart ment’s website . Subscribers will receive biosecurity advice notices and other 
notifications about animal biosecurity policy.  
 
 
 
Dr Peter Finnin  
Assistant Secretary  
Animal Biosecurity  
Email animal biosecurity @agriculture.gov.au