Brucella Canis Testing for Dogs Going to Australia: Why AGID Will Get Your Dog Rejected

TLDR: Australia requires Brucella canis testing for all intact dogs within 45 days of shipment. The accepted test methods are RSAT, TAT, and IFAT. Australia explicitly rejects AGID. If your vet runs an AGID test, the result will not be accepted regardless of whether it was negative. You will need to retest using an approved method.

If your intact dog is traveling to Australia, Brucella canis testing is required. Australia is specific about which test methods are accepted, and AGID is not one of them. If your vet runs the wrong test, you will need to start over with an accepted method.

Which Dogs Need This Test?

Brucella canis testing is required for all intact dogs traveling to Australia. Intact means not desexed, meaning dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

If your dog has been desexed, this test is not required.

Which Test Methods Does Australia Accept?

Australia accepts three test methods for Brucella canis:

• RSAT (Rapid Slide Agglutination Test)

• TAT (Tube Agglutination Test)

• IFAT (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test)

Any of these three will satisfy the requirement.

Which Test Method Does Australia Reject?

Australia explicitly rejects AGID (Agar Gel Immunodiffusion) for Brucella canis testing. If your vet runs an AGID test, the result will not be accepted, even if it comes back negative. You will need to have your dog retested using RSAT, TAT, or IFAT.

Before scheduling the test, confirm with your vet that they will order one of the accepted methods. Some labs may default to AGID, so be specific when requesting the test.

When Does the Test Need to Happen?

The Brucella canis test must be completed within 45 days of shipment. Make sure to account for lab processing time when scheduling the appointment.

What Happens If the Result Is Positive?

A positive result on any accepted test means your dog cannot travel to Australia. There is no treatment pathway or retest option that clears a positive dog for entry. Australia does not permit dogs that test positive for Brucella canis under any circumstances.

Brucella canis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects dogs and can spread to humans. Australia is currently free of this disease and requires testing to prevent it from entering the country.

Planning a move to Australia with an intact dog? PetRelocation can help you coordinate testing and documentation. Get in touch to start planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all dogs need Brucella canis testing for Australia?

No. Only intact dogs require this test. If your dog has been desexed, Brucella canis testing is not required.

Why does Australia reject AGID?

Australia specifies RSAT, TAT, and IFAT as the only accepted test methods. AGID is explicitly listed as rejected in Australia's import conditions.

My vet already ran an AGID test. Can I use it?

No. You will need to have your dog retested using RSAT, TAT, or IFAT within the 45-day window before shipment.

What if my dog tests positive?

Your dog cannot travel to Australia. There is no treatment or retest pathway that clears a positive result.