Importing livestock into Western Australia

Published import conditions apply to the following livestock imported into WA (whether they are kept as pets or for commercial purposes): 

• equines (horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and any hybrids)
• cattle, bison, buffalo and hybrids
• deer
• sheep and goats
• camelids (camels and South American camelids such as alpaca and llama)
• pigs. 

Import conditions are set out by the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 and the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013.

Published import conditions and the LB1 health certificate for the movement of livestock into WA  

All livestock being moved into WA must meet the published import requirements. The published import conditions take the form of species-specific LB1 health certificates for movement into WA. The pre-entry, entry and post-entry import requirements that must be met are detailed in part 3 of the health certificates. 

Pre-entry and entry import requirements for livestock entering WA 

To import livestock into WA, the pre-entry and entry import requirements detailed in part 3 of the health certificates must be met. A completed species-specific LB1 health certificate parts 1 and 2, and any supporting documentation (as detailed in part 3), should be emailed to the relevant Quarantine WA (QWA) entry inspection point a minimum of 3 days prior to the livestock arriving at the entry inspection point. The original signed health certificate and for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) must accompany the livestock at all times.      

QWA actively protects WA’s biosecurity status by conducting inspections for quarantine risk material at entry inspection points for private travellers and commercial clients importing livestock from interstate. 

QWA is responsible for inspecting all livestock imported into WA to ensure they meet the published import conditions. The entry inspection, along with any treatments and tests, washdown and entry certification will involve a fee, see Fees and charges information below. 

Post-entry import requirements for livestock entering WA 

Some diseases, such as liver fluke and footrot require treatment, testing or inspection post-entry. Imported livestock that require post-entry import conditions, as detailed in part 3 of the health certificates, will be issued an LB14 Inspector’s Direction Notice by a QWA Inspector at the entry inspection point, which outlines the post-entry import requirements for those imported livestock. This notice details the treatments, testing or inspections required and when they should be done.   

The administration of the post-entry requirements must be undertaken by or under the direct supervision of a registered veterinary surgeon. The department's inspector is able to supervise the owner of the animal administering the post-entry requirements. Supervision of the treatment or faecal sample collection means that the person supervising is physically present at the time the activity occurs and ensures the correct animal is treated or sampled and that the correct dose is administered effectively. 

The direction notice is issued to the owner of the animals and must be provided whenever control of the livestock changes to a new person. The department's District Office should also be notified of any change of ownership of livestock whilst the LB14 Inspector’s Direction Notice is in effect.  

Until the post entry requirements listed on the LB14 Inspector’s Direction Notice are completed, livestock require a permit to move off the WA destination property. The permit to move can be applied for by contacting the department's District Office listed on the LB14 direction notice. The requirement to obtain a permit includes horses being moved from the nominated property for any reason, including to a trainer, vet, showground or racecourse.    

The administration of the treatment and collection of the faecal sample must be done by or under the direct supervision of a registered veterinary surgeon. A DPIRD stock inspector (gazetted) can supervise the owner of the animal administering the treatments or collecting faecal samples. Supervision of the treatment or faecal sample collection means that the person supervising is physically present at the time the activity occurs and ensures the correct animal is treated or sampled and that the correct dose is administered effectively. 

Footrot import conditions

Imported sheep are issued with a direction notice and require: 

• inspection for footrot at 21 to 35 days and 90 to 100 days post-entry

• inspection by a registered veterinary surgeon or a gazetted DPIRD inspector.