Last Updated: 28th July 2026
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.
Hearing that your pet needs a “Fit to Fly Certificate” before they travel can feel like one more thing to get right, on top of the crate, the flight time, and the general worry of sending your dog or cat off on a journey without you standing beside them. It helps to know this particular piece of paperwork exists to protect your pet, not to make your life harder. Once you understand what it actually is, why it’s asked for, and when to book it in, it becomes one of the more straightforward parts of getting ready to travel.
If you’d like the bigger picture first, our guide on how pet travel works walks through the whole journey from booking to arrival. This article focuses on one specific piece of that journey: the veterinary paperwork that confirms your pet is medically ready for their flight.
Key Takeaways
- A Fit to Fly Certificate is a registered vet’s professional opinion, formed after physically examining your pet, that they appear medically suitable to travel by air on your intended date. It’s a considered clinical assessment, not a guarantee that nothing can go wrong along the way.
- The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. We generally recommend booking the vet visit 2 to 7 days before departure, so there’s still room to move if your pet’s flight is rescheduled.
- Puppies and kittens travelling between 8 and 12 weeks of age, and senior pets aged 12 years and over, are the two groups who most commonly need one. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) puppies are assessed differently, through a BOAS assessment once they reach the minimum travel age, rather than a Fit to Fly Certificate.
- There’s no exemption if your pet falls into one of these categories, but there’s also nothing to be anxious about. For most healthy pets, it’s a routine vet visit and a signed form, and your Departure Pets consultant will confirm exactly what’s needed for your pet’s specific journey.
What Exactly Is a Fit to Fly Certificate?
A Fit to Fly Certificate is a veterinary document, completed and signed by a registered veterinarian after they’ve physically examined your pet. It confirms that, based on their examination and professional judgement at the time, your pet appears medically suitable to travel by air on the date you’re planning to fly.
It’s a different document to a routine vaccination record or general health check. During the examination, the vet is specifically looking at whether your pet is likely to cope with the physical demands of air travel: their general health and body condition, hydration, heart and lung function, any signs of illness or injury, their mobility and general demeanour, and any existing medical conditions or medications they’re on.
It’s worth being upfront about one thing: a Fit to Fly Certificate isn’t a guarantee that your pet’s journey will be entirely without incident. Like any form of travel, there are factors that sit outside anyone’s control once the exam is complete.
What it does confirm is that a vet has examined your pet and, based on their clinical findings at that point in time, believes they’re medically suitable for air travel. It’s the same kind of professional opinion a doctor might give when assessing whether a person is well enough to travel, a snapshot of health at that moment, not a prediction of everything that follows.
If you’d like to see what one typically includes, here’s a Fit to Fly Certificate Example Illustration (this is a sample, for illustrative purposes only).
Ready to arrange your pet’s journey? Request your domestic pet transport quote today.
How Long Is a Fit to Fly Certificate Valid, and When Should I Book the Vet Visit?
Your Fit to Fly certificate must be valid on the day your pet actually travels, not just the day they were originally booked to fly.
For this reason, we do not recommend having the certificate completed exactly 14 days before departure. If an unexpected disruption delays your pet’s flight by even one day, the certificate will have expired, and the airline will be unable to accept your pet for travel until a new certificate has been issued by your veterinarian.
We also recommend avoiding having the certificate completed 12–13 days before departure, as there is still very little buffer should your pet’s travel be delayed. For example, if your pet is booked to fly on a Friday and their certificate was issued 12 days before the flight, but an unexpected disruption means they cannot travel until the following Monday (such as when cargo facilities are closed over the weekend), the certificate may no longer be valid on the day they actually fly. In this situation too, the airline will require a new Fit to Fly certificate before accepting your pet for travel.
Because of this, we generally recommend having your pet examined and the Fit to Fly certificate completed approximately 2–7 days before their scheduled departure. This provides a much greater buffer should an unexpected delay occur, helping to avoid unnecessary veterinary visits, additional costs, and last-minute disruptions to your pet’s travel plans.
Is My Pet’s Regular Vet Letter the Same as a Fit to Fly Certificate?
Not necessarily. A general health check, a vaccination record, or a note saying your pet “looks healthy” isn’t automatically sufficient on its own. To be valid for air travel, the certificate must clearly state that your pet is “fit for air travel” or “fit to fly.” Airlines are very specific about this wording, and may reject certificates that simply state your pet is “healthy,” “clinically normal,” or “fit,” without specifically referring to air travel.
As a general guide, a compliant certificate should include the following:
- A statement confirming your pet is fit for air travel or fit to fly
- The date of the veterinary examination
- Your pet’s identifying details (name, species, breed, age or date of birth, and microchip number where applicable)
- The veterinarian’s name, signature and clinic details
Where a pet has a disclosed medical condition or is on medication, the certificate should also cover what that condition is, how it’s being managed, and any considerations relevant to flying.
If the wording is unclear or any of the required information is missing, the airline may refuse to accept your pet for travel until a corrected or replacement certificate is provided.
Many vets are comfortable working from their own letterhead and wording, which is entirely fine, provided the certificate meets the requirements above.
Expert Tip: If you’re unsure whether your veterinarian’s certificate meets the airline’s requirements, send us a copy before your pet’s travel date. We’re happy to review it and let you know if anything needs to be amended before the day of departure.
Why Do Airlines Ask for This at All?
It’s a fair question, and an understandable one to ask when your pet already seems perfectly well. Airlines aren’t questioning your judgement as an owner. They’ve simply identified certain groups of pets, based on age or medical circumstances, who benefit from an additional, independent veterinary opinion before they travel. It isn’t a sign the airline expects a problem, it’s a considered welfare measure that applies consistently to every pet in that category.
Live animal transport by air is governed by strict international standards, including the IATA Live Animals Regulations, which set out how animals should be handled, housed and cared for throughout the journey.
A Fit to Fly Certificate sits alongside those standards as one more layer of reassurance, confirming a vet has looked at your specific pet before they fly, not just that the aircraft and crate meet the required specifications. If you’re curious about what actually happens once your pet is checked in, our article on whether it’s safe for cats and dogs to fly in cargo covers the most common questions we hear.
Which Pets Actually Need a Fit to Fly Certificate?
There are two main reasons a Fit to Fly Certificate is asked for.
Age
- Between 8 weeks – 12 weeks (non-brachy)
For breeder relocations in particular, age is by far the most common trigger. Puppies and kittens travelling between 8 and 12 weeks of age always need a Fit to Fly Certificate, since they’re still developing and the airline wants veterinary confirmation they’re healthy enough for the journey.
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) puppies are the exception. Rather than a Fit to Fly Certificate, they’re assessed through a BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) assessment once they reach the minimum age to fly (12 weeks), since this assessment specifically evaluates airway function rather than general medical suitability.
The two documents serve different purposes and aren’t interchangeable. You can read more in What Is a BOAS Assessment for Brachycephalic Pet Travel and in our broader guide to interstate pet transport for brachycephalic dogs and cats.
- Pets 12 years and older
At the other end of the age scale, senior pets aged 12 years and over also need a Fit to Fly Certificate, regardless of breed. A senior brachycephalic pet may need both a BOAS assessment and a Fit to Fly Certificate, as each looks at a different aspect of their health.
Medical conditions or medication
A Fit to Fly Certificate is also needed if:
- Your pet has an existing medical condition,
- Your pet is currently on medication,
- Or your pet has recently had surgery, or is recovering from illness or injury.
In each case, the certificate gives the airline (and us) the clinical context needed to support your pet’s specific journey.
Exact requirements can vary by route, airline and destination, so your Departure Pets consultant will always confirm exactly what applies to your pet before you book a vet appointment. If you’re relocating within Australia, our domestic pet travel page is a good starting point, and if you’re moving with the Australian Defence Force, our dedicated ADF and defence member pet transport page covers what to expect for a posting move.
Ready to arrange your pet’s journey? Request your domestic pet transport quote today.
Can Any Vet Issue the Certificate, and What if Mine Feels Uncertain?
Yes. Any registered veterinarian can issue a Fit to Fly Certificate, provided they’ve personally examined your pet and are satisfied they’re medically suitable for air travel. Many owners simply use their regular clinic, since that vet already knows their pet’s history, but a mobile vet or another registered practice can usually perform the examination just as well.
It’s not unusual for a vet to be a little cautious before signing, particularly for a very young or elderly pet, or one with an existing condition.
That caution comes from the same place as everything in the Australian Veterinary Association’s guidance on air travel: a vet’s first responsibility is always the animal in front of them, and they’ll only sign once they’re genuinely satisfied. If your vet has questions about what the airline needs or why the certificate is being requested, our team is always happy to speak with them directly.
My Pet Is Perfectly Healthy, Can We Skip the Certificate?
This is one of the most common questions we hear, particularly from breeders sending young puppies or kittens to their new homes. The honest answer is no. If your pet falls into one of the categories above, there’s no exemption simply because they seem well.
That’s because the requirement isn’t a comment on your pet’s health, it’s set by the airline’s own Live Animal Acceptance Policy for every pet in that age or medical category, not by Departure Pets and not by you. In most cases, for a healthy pet, this is simply a straightforward vet visit that confirms what you already know: your pet is well, and now the airline has the independent confirmation it needs too.
What Happens if My Vet Doesn’t Sign Off on My Pet as Fit to Fly?
If your vet has a concern that could affect your pet’s ability to travel safely, they may hold off on signing the certificate or suggest delaying travel until it’s been addressed. This is always made with your pet’s welfare in mind, and it might mean waiting until a young pet is a little older, completing treatment for an illness or injury, or having a condition restabilised before a follow-up exam.
If this happens after your travel has already been booked with us, please let us know as soon as possible. We’ll work through the best next step with you, whether that’s rescheduling or amending your booking. Depending on how close this is to your departure date and whether airline or third-party arrangements have already been confirmed, our standard Cancellation and Amendment terms may apply, and any fees are considered on a case-by-case basis. Wherever possible, we aim for the most practical and fair outcome for you and your pet.
For more on how we care for pets before a flight, including our Departure Pets Lounges and how we prepare the right travel crate, take a look at our guides on measuring your dog for an airline pet crate and travelling crates. You can also read what other pet owners say about working with us on our customer reviews page.
Fit to Fly Certificate FAQs
- How much does a Fit to Fly Certificate cost?
This is set by your veterinary clinic rather than by Departure Pets, since it’s simply their standard consultation fee for the examination. Your vet can confirm the cost when you book the appointment. - Does my vet have to be a specific clinic that Departure Pets recommends?
No. Any registered veterinarian can issue the certificate, provided they physically examine your pet. Many owners use their regular vet, since they’re already familiar with their pet’s history. - Does my brachycephalic puppy need a Fit to Fly Certificate too?
No. Brachycephalic puppies are assessed through a BOAS assessment once they reach the minimum age for air travel, rather than a Fit to Fly Certificate. You can read more in What Is a BOAS Assessment for Brachycephalic Pet Travel. - Is a Fit to Fly Certificate the same as Australian quarantine paperwork?
No, they’re separate things entirely. A Fit to Fly Certificate confirms your pet’s medical suitability to fly. Quarantine requirements are a separate, government-managed process that applies to pets arriving into Australia from overseas. You can read more in our guide to import quarantine for pets coming into Australia, or in Understanding Pet Quarantine When Importing Cats and Dogs Into Australia. Your Departure Pets consultant will always confirm exactly which documents apply to your pet’s specific journey. - What if my pet’s travel date is pushed back after the certificate has already been issued?
Your pet’s Fit to Fly certificate is only valid for 14 days from the date it’s issued, so if their travel date is pushed back after the certificate has been issued, it can mean the certificate expires before they actually fly. If that happens, your vet will need to re-examine your pet and issue a new certificate before the airline will accept them. Booking your original vet visit a little closer to your travel date, rather than right at the start of the 14 day window, helps reduce the chance of this happening. - Who actually decides whether my pet needs a Fit to Fly Certificate?
The airline’s own Live Animal Acceptance Policy determines this, not Departure Pets and not the pet owner. If your pet falls within a category that requires one, it becomes a mandatory part of their travel documentation, and your Departure Pets consultant will confirm exactly what’s needed for your pet’s route.
Airline policies, government regulations and industry requirements can change over time. This article reflects information current as of the date above. For the latest requirements specific to your pet’s journey, please contact your Departure Pets consultant.