Pet Check-In Process for Domestic Pet Travel in Australia

Written by Shaun, Managing Director and co-founder of Departure Pets – with lifelong experience in animal care and formal qualifications in animal handling and behaviour.

What should you expect on drop-off day for your pet?

Key Takeaways

Check-in (lodgement) opens 2 hours before departure and closes 90 minutes before – you have just a 30-minute window
Drop off is at the airline’s cargo/freight department, not the standard check baggage area
If a crate has been arranged for you, it will be waiting at the freight department on the day
Only soft bedding is recommended inside the crate – most loose items, including valuables, are prohibited
Make sure you have all required paperwork ready as physical copies before you arrive

Just like passenger flights, the airlines have a strict ‘check-in’ time and procedure for pets travelling as cargo.If you plan to transport your pet domestically, here is all the information you need to prepare for the check-in process.

When do I need to check in my pet?

‘Check-in’ or ‘lodgement’ will always be strictly 2 hours prior to the flight departure. Pets cannot be dropped off any earlier than this time. Lodgement closes strictly 90 minutes prior to the flight departure. This means that the check-in window for your pets flight is a mere 30 minutes.

To ensure that your pet doesn’t miss their flight, we suggest that you take the time to familiarise yourself with your responsibilities and the drop-off time/location well in advance of your pet’s travel date. This will help you feel more confident on the day of travel and make for a smooth and stress-free check-in experience, as you will know exactly where to go. It is advisable for the sender to remain within close proximity of the airport until the flight successfully departs, as there is a chance of offloading, delay, or cancellation. Though it is not expected to happen, it is always better to be prepared for such situations.

Where do I go to drop off my pet?

With your pet travelling as cargo, the airlines require you to go to the respective cargo/freight department as opposed to the checked baggage area.

The drop off locations differ based on the specific port and airline. View the Virgin and Qantas Cargo locations below:

Domestic Pet Transport – Australian Ports

Departure Pets provides safe, caring domestic pet travel from major airports across Australia. Whether your pet is departing from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart or Darwin – and everywhere in between – our teams are on the ground at each port to make the journey as smooth and stress-free as possible for you and your pet.

Drop-off locations and freight departments vary by port and airline, so if you are unsure where to go on the day, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team in advance and we will point you in the right direction.

I purchased/hired a pet travel crate. How and when do I get this?

If a travel crate is being provided for you, whether purchased or hired, this will be waiting for you at the freight department you will go to for lodgement. This is prepared in advance of your travel date and will be given to you at the time of lodgement.

Learn more about airline approved pet travel crates and how to measure your dog or cat for an airline travel crate.

What can I put in the pet travel crate?

Most items are prohibited to travel in the crate with your pet. The airlines do not permit any loose items to travel on pets or inside the crate for many reasons, including potential choking hazards. You are encouraged to put an old blanket or towel in the bottom of the pet travel crate to provide some additional comfort, and absorbency in the case of soiling during transit.

If you wish to send your pet’s collar/lead or paperwork with them, it will need to be attached to the exterior of the crate at your own risk. We cannot guarantee that any items attached to the exterior of the crate will arrive with your pet.

Please do not put anything of value or something you wish to keep upon arrival into the crate. If soiled during the flight, this item will be discarded upon arrival. If you wish to send your pets bedding/paperwork/toys/food to their destination, please coordinate this separately to your pets travel.

Who will be there at the time of lodgement?

The respective airline freight staff will be there to assist with lodgement. They will be responsible for verifying your pets AWB, completing required paperwork, weighing your pet + travel crate and checking them in for their flight.

If your pet is flying with Qantas and you have booked through a Pet Travel Company such as Departure Pets, you will be meeting with a company representative at the time of lodgement. This person is typically referred to as an ‘agent’.

What happens to my pet after check in and before flight departure?

After your pet has been successfully checked-in for their flight, your pet will be in the care of the freight staff until flight departure. During this time, your pet will be attentively monitored.

Your pet’s water bowl will be filled with clean water, and your pet will stay in an undercover area in the freight shed, away from the elements until aircraft boarding. Once ready for boarding, your pet will be transported to the aircraft. Animals are the last of all AVI to be loaded on to the aircraft to minimise the duration they will be on the plane.

What do I need to bring with me to check in my pet?

Fit to Fly Certificate: If your pet is younger than 12 weeks, older than 12 years, unwell or on medication, your pet will require a Fit to Fly Certificate. This is a letter from your vet dated within 14 days of your pets travel. This needs to be presented to the airline staff as a physical copy at the time of lodgement
Virgin ‘VAGP’ Form: If your pet is travelling with Virgin Australia, your ‘VAGP’ Form (Domesticated Animal Acceptance Declaration), needs to be completed and presented to the airline staff as a physical copy at the time of lodgement. If you are unable to print and complete this, the airline staff will have spare copies for you to complete.
BOAS Checklist: If your pet is considered a Brachycephalic Breed, an assessment and form needs to be completed within 30 days of your pets travel. This needs to be presented to the airline staff as a physical copy at the time of lodgement
Biosecurity Tasmania Dog Import Declaration: If you are transporting a dog to Tasmania, the biosecurity declaration will need to be completed by the Owner and accompany your pet during their travels.
Proof of Praziquantel Treatment: If you are transporting a dog older than 12 weeks to Tasmania, its owner/sender must have evidence that it has been treated with praziquantel at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg body weight within 14 days before entry to Tasmania.
Praziquantel is an active ingredient found in most worming treatments such as Nexgard, Bravecto, Milbemax etc. The evidence can be:
- An official statement/certificate by a vet.
- A statutory declaration by the owner
- Purchase receipt (dated within 14 days of flight departure) and the Empty Pill Packet. This can be carried by whoever accompanies the dog into Tasmania, or attached to the outside of the crate

Learn more about our Domestic Pet Travel services and the Australian ports that we fly cats and dogs to and from. If you’re looking for International Pet Travel, we can help with that too.

Ready to Book Domestic Pet Travel within Australia?

Your pet’s welfare is our top priority, and we take every measure to ensure they arrive home safely and happily. Get in touch with our team today to arrange safe and stress-free domestic pet transport.

Further Reading:

Pet Check-In Process FAQs:

What time do I need to drop my pet off for a domestic flight in Australia?
Pet lodgement opens 2 hours before the scheduled flight departure and closes 90 minutes before departure. This gives you a 30-minute drop-off window, so it is important to arrive promptly and not leave it to the last minute.

Where do I drop my pet off at the airport for a domestic flight?
Pets travelling as cargo are not dropped off at the standard checked baggage counters. You will need to go to the airline’s cargo or freight department. The exact location varies by airport and airline – refer to the Virgin Australia or Qantas cargo location guides for your specific departure port.

What can I put inside my pet’s travel crate on a domestic flight?
You can place an old blanket or towel in the bottom of the crate for comfort and absorbency. Most other items are not permitted by the airlines, including loose items that could pose a choking hazard. Avoid placing anything of value in the crate, as items soiled during the flight will be discarded on arrival.

Do I need a vet certificate for my pet to fly domestically in Australia?
A Fit to Fly Certificate from your vet is required if your pet is younger than 12 weeks, older than 12 years, unwell, or currently on medication. The certificate must be dated within 14 days of travel and presented as a physical copy at lodgement.

What documents do I need to fly my dog to Tasmania?
Dogs travelling to Tasmania require a completed Biosecurity Tasmania Dog Import Declaration. If your dog is older than 12 weeks, you will also need evidence of a praziquantel treatment (at 5 mg/kg body weight) administered within 14 days of the flight. Acceptable proof includes a vet certificate, statutory declaration, or a dated purchase receipt with the empty pill packet. Learn more about our Pet Transport Hobart.