Dual Microchips and Australia: What Happens If Your Pet Has Two
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TLDR: If your pet has two compliant microchips, both numbers must be recorded on all lab reports, health certificates, and import applications. Both must be scanned at every single vet visit. A single incorrect digit on any document will halt the import. Australia also explicitly refuses microchips that start with '999' because they are not unique.
Some pets end up with two microchips. This can happen if a chip was implanted overseas and another was added later, or if a previous chip stopped scanning and a new one was placed. If your pet has two compliant microchips, Australia has specific rules for how they must be handled.
What Are Australia's Microchip Requirements?
Australia requires an ISO-compliant microchip (10 or 15 digit) to be implanted and scanned before any tests, treatments, or vaccines are administered.
The exact microchip number must appear on every lab report, vaccination record, and health certificate. A single incorrect digit will halt the import.
What If My Pet Has Two Microchips?
If your pet has two compliant microchips:
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Both numbers must be recorded on all lab reports, health certificates, and import applications
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Both must be scanned at every single vet visit
This is not optional. If one microchip number is missing from any document, or if only one chip is scanned at a vet visit, the documentation will be incomplete and the import can be halted.
What About Microchips Starting with '999'?
Australia explicitly refuses microchips that start with '999' because they are not unique.
Moving a pet with dual microchips to Australia? PetRelocation can help ensure every document is accurate. Get in touch to start planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both microchips need to be on every document?
Yes. Both numbers must be recorded on all lab reports, health certificates, and import applications.
Do both microchips need to be scanned at every vet visit?
Yes. Both must be scanned at every single vet visit.
What happens if one microchip number is missing from a document?
A single incorrect or missing digit will halt the import.
Can I use a microchip that starts with '999'?
No. Australia explicitly refuses microchips starting with '999' because they are not unique.
Bringing pets to Australia?
Here’s what to know about moving pets to Australia.