Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Levies and charges on agricultural products
    • Mouse infestation advice
    • Plant health
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2025-26

    Budget 2025-26

    The 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 March 2025.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Industry advice notices
  5. Import industry advice notices 2021
  6. 191-2021

Sidebar first - Import

  • Industry advice notices
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021

191-2021: Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) Cat and Dog veterinary care

2 September 2021

Who does this notice affect?

This notice is for cat and dog importers who use the Post Entry Quarantine facility in Australia.

What has changed?

Importers of cats and dogs to Australia can refer to the following frequently asked questions regarding veterinary care arrangements and management of their pets arriving to Australia for quarantine at the PEQ in Mickleham. The global COVID-19 pandemic and closure of international borders has seen pet imports increase and the staff at our PEQ facility have been working tirelessly to manage the welfare and biosecurity of animals so that pets can be reunited with their families in these uncertain times.

The information below is provided to assist with questions you may have.

Questions and Answers

1. When will I be notified that my pet has arrived at the PEQ for quarantine?

Biosecurity officers will notify you or your authorised agent by email within 24 hours of the animal’s arrival at the PEQ. All animals are checked, weighed and microchip scanned on arrival. Biosecurity officers are present every day of the week and are on call outside of normal business hours.

2. What happens when my cat or dog is unwell upon arrival?

When your pet arrives from overseas biosecurity officers collect them directly from Melbourne Airport and transport them to the PEQ. If your pet appears to be stressed or unwell upon arrival, biosecurity officers will attempt to contact you or your authorised agent as soon as possible to organise a private vet to attend the PEQ or to seek permission for biosecurity officers to transport the animal to the emergency veterinary hospital. If we cannot contact you or your authorised agent, we will arrange veterinary care without delay as our priority is your animal’s health and welfare.

3. What are the veterinary care arrangements for pets at the PEQ?

Australian Government vets are on duty during normal business hours and are on call 24 hours per day, 7 days a week at the PEQ, to ensure your pet’s welfare during their quarantine stay. The role of the government vets is to undertake Biosecurity Health Checks and examine animals for diseases of biosecurity concern. Government vets are responsible for administering treatments and medication in relation to biosecurity concerns. They will also provide assistance and recommendations on any animal welfare concerns.

In the event your pet requires further assessment or treatment which is not an emergency, the PEQ will contact you to organise a private veterinarian to attend the PEQ facility. Some clients prefer their own vet attends to their animal, however, there are local vets that regularly attend the facility to examine, treat, and prescribe medication as needed. If we cannot contact you or your authorised agent, the animal’s welfare remains our priority and in emergency circumstances we will arrange emergency veterinary care without delay.

4. What happens if my pet needs emergency veterinary medical attention?

If your pet requires emergency veterinary care, it will be immediately transported under biosecurity control to U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital. U-Vet have approval with the department to hospitalise animals that are undergoing quarantine to provide emergency veterinary services, including testing, diagnostics, surgery, and euthanasia. Emergency and Critical Care vets at U-Vet will contact the person in charge directly to discuss all the diagnostic and treatment plans. Should it be necessary, the vet will discuss with the person in charge to make the humane decision to euthanise their pet at the hospital, not at the PEQ.

5. Why does the PEQ need permission to organise veterinary care?

It is important that the PEQ seeks permission from the import permit holder (also called the ‘person in charge of the animal’ such as an owner or authorised agent) as they are legally responsible for the importation of the cat or dog into Australia. The PEQ is required to seek permission to advise the person in charge that the cat or dog needs veterinary care and to explain the situation and potential costs involved.  

Further information

For information about the PEQ, it is highly recommended that you source it directly from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website

If you have any queries or concerns, please call 1800 900 090 or email PEQservices@awe.gov.au. 

 

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip
Page last updated: 02 September 2021

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram