Moving to Australia from Dubai — International Removals, Biosecurity Clearance & Door-to-Door Delivery

Australian Biosecurity — DAFF Requirements for Household Goods

Australia’s biosecurity regime is managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Every household shipment entering Australia is subject to biosecurity assessment. Items that present a biosecurity risk — soil, plant material, untreated timber, certain foods, animal products — will be treated, re-exported, or destroyed. Treatment costs are charged to the consignee.

High-Risk Items — Must Be Declared

• Timber items — furniture, carvings, decorative wood — must be free of bark, soil, and insects
• Cane, bamboo, rattan, and wicker items — must be commercially manufactured and bark-free
• Animal products — leather, wool, feathers, shells, coral — must be clean and commercially processed
• Seeds and dried plant material — dried flowers, potpourri, straw items — generally prohibited
• Soil or sand — including decorative items with soil or sand inside
• Food items — most packaged foods are permitted; fresh produce is prohibited
• Sports equipment — must be clean, free of soil and plant material

Import Duty & GST on Household Goods

Used household goods and personal effects imported by a person transferring residence to Australia are generally exempt from import duty. However, GST (10%) applies to goods valued above AUD 1,000 unless a specific concession applies. New or unused goods purchased before departure do not qualify for the used goods concession and attract both duty and GST. Fusion calculates the GST exposure on your shipment as part of the quotation process.

Motor Vehicles

Vehicles imported into Australia require Department of Infrastructure approval before shipping and are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection (underbody wash required), import duty (5%), and GST (10%). This is managed separately from household goods — see our Automobile Relocation page.

Pets to Australia

Australia is one of the most restrictive countries in the world for pet imports. All pets must spend time in post-arrival quarantine at the Mickleham facility in Victoria — currently 10 days for most dogs and cats. The process includes microchipping, vaccinations, blood titre test, parasite treatment, and an import permit. See our Pet Relocation page for full DAFF requirements.