Flying with your dog within Australia from Melbourne: domestic airline policies, breed restrictions and cabin vs cargo

Flying with a dog within Australia is simpler than flying internationally — there are no import permits, no quarantine facilities, and no titer tests. Dogs move freely between Australian states and territories without any biosecurity permit requirements. But "simpler" does not mean uncomplicated. Australian domestic airlines have widely varying policies, breed restrictions that catch flat-faced dog owners off guard, and seasonal temperature embargoes that can ground a pet booking with very little notice. This guide covers everything Melbourne-based dog owners need to know before booking domestic air travel for their pet from Tullamarine (Melbourne Airport, MEL).

Qantas: cargo only, no cabin pets

Qantas does not accept pets in the passenger cabin on any of its domestic or international routes. All pets travel as freight through Qantas Freight's dedicated pet service (PetsOnBoard for domestic bookings). This is a cargo booking, separate from your passenger booking — pets travel in the aircraft's pressurised, temperature-controlled freight hold.

From Melbourne (Tullamarine), Qantas operates to all major Australian capitals and many regional cities. Pets can travel as freight cargo on most Qantas domestic routes from Melbourne — including Melbourne–Sydney, Melbourne–Brisbane, Melbourne–Adelaide, and Melbourne–Perth — but not all routes or aircraft types accept live animals. Confirm availability for your specific route when booking.

• No in-cabin pets on Qantas: applies to domestic and international routes
• All pets travel via Qantas Freight (cargo division) — book through qantasfreight.com or Qantas Freight offices
• IATA-compliant crate required (CR82 standard)
• Temperature embargoes apply: Qantas Freight suspends live animal cargo when forecast temperatures at origin or destination airports are forecast to exceed thresholds (typically around 29–30°C on the ground). Melbourne's cooler climate means embargoes from Tullamarine are less frequent than from Sydney — but summer heat waves do occur in Melbourne, and destination airports (e.g. Perth in summer) can trigger embargoes independently
• Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply — see the breed restriction section below
• Weight and size limits apply: confirm current limits with Qantas Freight for your dog's size

Virgin Australia: small dogs in the cabin on some domestic routes

Virgin Australia is the only major Australian domestic carrier that currently permits small pets to travel in the passenger cabin, under the seat in front of the owner, on eligible domestic routes. This is a meaningful distinction for owners of small-breed dogs — cabin travel is generally lower-stress than cargo, and the dog remains with the owner throughout the journey.

• Small dogs and cats permitted in-cabin on eligible Virgin Australia domestic routes including Melbourne–Sydney and Melbourne–Brisbane
• Combined weight limit: 10 kg total (dog plus carrier) — check this is achievable for your dog before booking
• Carrier must be soft-sided and fit under the seat in front of you — check Virgin's current maximum carrier dimensions at virginaustralia.com before purchasing a carrier
• Advance booking required: book through Virgin Australia; availability is limited per flight
• Not all routes or aircraft types eligible: confirm the aircraft type for your specific flight
• Brachycephalic breeds: confirm the current policy with Virgin directly for your specific breed
• Virgin also offers a cargo pet service for dogs that do not meet in-cabin requirements
• Confirm current policy, fees, eligible routes, and carrier dimensions at virginaustralia.com or by calling Virgin's customer service

Rex Airlines and regional carriers

Rex Airlines (Regional Express) operates domestic services from Melbourne, including some routes not served by the major carriers. Rex's pet policy has evolved over time. As of mid-2026, Rex generally accepts small pets in the cabin on some services, but policy can vary by route and aircraft type — always confirm directly with Rex (rex.com.au) for your specific route before booking.

Budget and ultra-low-cost carriers, including Jetstar, generally do not accept pets on domestic services. Do not assume a budget carrier accepts pets without confirming first.

Brachycephalic breed restrictions on Australian airlines

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds present elevated respiratory risk during air travel due to their anatomically compromised airways. Both Qantas Freight and Virgin Australia apply breed-specific restrictions, and these are among the most frequently misunderstood aspects of domestic pet air travel in Australia.

• French Bulldog: restricted or prohibited from hold/cargo travel on most Australian airlines
• English Bulldog (British Bulldog): restricted or prohibited from hold/cargo travel
• American Bulldog: restricted or prohibited
• Pug: restricted or prohibited from hold/cargo travel on most carriers
• Boston Terrier: restricted on many carriers
• Boxer: restricted on many carriers
• Shih Tzu: may be restricted depending on carrier and individual assessment
• Pekingese: typically restricted
• Lhasa Apso: typically restricted
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: some carriers apply restrictions; others permit with conditions
• Note: breed lists are not standardised across airlines — each carrier maintains its own list, and lists are updated periodically. Always confirm the current restricted-breed list with your specific carrier for each booking.

IATA CR82 crate requirements: what you need

Any dog travelling in the cargo hold must be in an IATA Container Requirement 82 (CR82) compliant crate. A non-compliant crate will be refused at cargo check-in. The CR82 standard specifies that the crate must be rigid and escape-proof, the dog must be able to stand at full natural height without touching the roof, turn around completely, and lie down in a natural position.

• Measure your dog standing naturally: height from floor to the top of the head or ears; add at least 7–10 cm for minimum internal crate height
• Length: measure from tip of nose to base of tail in natural standing posture; add 7–10 cm for minimum internal crate length
• Width: sufficient for the dog to turn around without its nose touching the side walls
• Construction: rigid, hard plastic or fibreglass only — soft-sided carriers are not CR82 compliant for hold travel
• Door: metal door with metal fasteners; plastic clip-only closures do not meet the standard for most carriers
• Ventilation: on at least three sides
• Floor: solid, leak-proof base with adequate absorbent bedding
• "LIVE ANIMAL" labels and directional arrows affixed to the crate correctly
• Owner contact details attached to the exterior of the crate

No health certificate required for domestic travel

A health certificate from a veterinarian is not required for domestic air travel within Australia. Unlike international travel, there are no state biosecurity entry requirements for dogs moving between Australian states and territories. You do not need a permit or health certificate to take your dog from Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, or Perth by air. However, it is always a good idea to ensure your dog's core vaccinations are current before any travel.

Practical advice: booking and day-of-travel from Melbourne Airport

• Book the pet cargo or in-cabin space at the same time as your own ticket — spaces are limited and fill quickly on popular Melbourne routes
• Confirm in writing: get a booking reference number specifically for the pet booking, separate from your passenger booking reference
• For Qantas Freight cargo: Qantas Freight has a dedicated cargo terminal at Melbourne Airport, separate from the passenger terminals — confirm the cargo check-in address and allow at least 2–3 hours before your flight departure time
• Purchase and test your crate well before travel day: put the dog in it with the door closed for increasing periods over 2–4 weeks; a crate-comfortable dog travels more calmly
• Do not sedate: the AVMA and most veterinary authorities advise against sedating dogs for air travel; discuss any anxiety management with your vet before travel
• Withhold food for 4–6 hours before travel to reduce nausea risk; ensure access to water before crating
• Exercise your dog well the morning of travel to help them rest in the crate
• Check the weather forecast for Melbourne AND your destination in the 48 hours before travel: embargoes fire when either airport breaches the temperature threshold
• Attach your contact details to the crate and carry all relevant documentation (booking reference, vaccination records) with you