Travelling Interstate With Your Cat in Australia

Moving interstate with a cat is very achievable, and thousands of Australian families do it every year. It does take planning, and the rules differ depending on how you travel and where you are going.

Choosing between car and plane

By car suits shorter distances and cats who travel reasonably well. It gives you control over breaks and temperature, though it means several days on the road.

Flying suits long distances. Cats typically travel in the cabin with you on some domestic services, or in a temperature-controlled, ventilated hold. Policies vary between airlines, so check directly with the carrier well in advance and confirm the rules for your specific route.

Before you travel

• See your vet. Confirm vaccinations are current and discuss whether any travel documentation is needed. Ask about travel sickness medication if your cat gets carsick.
• Check requirements for your destination. Australia has no internal quarantine between states for cats, but individual carriers, accommodation providers and some regional destinations may have their own requirements. Some territories and islands have specific rules — check before you book.
• Confirm microchip details are current and registered with your new contact details — this is the single most important thing to do before moving.
• Get your cat comfortable with the carrier well before travel day. Leave it out as a bed for weeks, feed them near it, and take short car trips that end at home.

What to pack

• Their usual food and water — do not change diet while travelling
• A small, travel-friendly litter tray and their usual litter
• Food and water bowls
• A towel or blanket that smells of home
• A familiar toy or comfort item
• Any medication, and a copy of their health record
• A harness and lead for supervised breaks outside the car
• Paper towel and enzymatic cleaner for accidents

On the day

Offer a small meal several hours before departure rather than immediately before. Line the carrier with something absorbent and familiar. Secure the carrier with a seatbelt in the car so it cannot slide, and keep the car well ventilated. Never leave your cat alone in a parked car — temperatures rise dangerously fast, even on mild days.

Interstate biosecurity note

Requirements can change, and some destinations — particularly islands and certain regional areas — have restrictions that do not apply elsewhere. Check the rules for your specific destination before you travel, and confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or your airline.

Arriving home

Set up one quiet room first, exactly as you would for a new kitten — bed, litter, food and water in a small, safe space. Let them decompress there for a few days before exploring the whole house. Keep them indoors for at least two weeks so they associate the new house with home before going outside.

Bringing a kitten home from interstate

If you are adopting from us and live interstate, we can arrange delivery — see our adoption process and our FAQ, or get in touch to talk it through.