1 July 2026
Who does this notice affect?
This notice affects all importers and pet transport agents who intend to import live assistance animals (cats or dogs only) into Australia, and departmental officers who examine these animals and assess their documentation for import into Australia.
This notice may also affect:
- persons without a disability who have an interest in the movement of assistance animals
- assistance animal training organisations
- other Federal and State government agencies
- Competent authorities and veterinarians preparing animals for export to Australia, and
- other entities who have an involvement with the movement of live cats and dogs into Australia.
What has changed?
The purpose of this notice is to advise stakeholders of the department’s upcoming review of the import pathway for assistance animals (cats and dogs only).
Stakeholders should expect changes to the way they interact with us during the import process for their assistance animals. We will be reviewing the current processes associated with this pathway.
You can review the current process on our website.
Stakeholders will be invited to share their experiences with current processes, including the areas they find most difficult, and provide input on proposed reforms through consultation activities throughout the review.
We are currently preparing a consultation paper through our ‘Have Your Say’ platform, to formally collect feedback. If you wish to be involved further in this consultation process, please contact us at AssistanceAnimalReform@aff.gov.au.
Why is this changing?
The review aims to identify opportunities which will modernise our approach to supporting persons with a disability who are travelling with an assistance animal, while maintaining Australia’s protections against biosecurity risks. The review is expected to deliver clearer processes, improve stakeholder interactions and reduce administrative burden.
The project will also look to support alignment with broader disability reforms across governments.
Further information
For further information or to provide any feedback please email: AssistanceAnimalReform@aff.gov.au