Lyla Lindsey
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies. The country has implemented several measures to prevent the disease from entering its borders, including partnering with other countries and organisations to improve prevention, early detection, preparedness, response, and elimination options. Australia has also revised import conditions for dogs and cats to effectively manage the increased rabies biosecurity risks associated with their importation. Additionally, the country engages with Indigenous communities in northern Australia as part of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) to ensure the country remains rabies-free. While Australia is rabies-free, the country is not entirely immune to the disease, as the closely related Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) has caused human deaths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Australia a rabies-free country? | Yes, Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies. |
| What is rabies? | Rabies is a deadly viral disease affecting mammals. It is caused by a type of virus called a lyssavirus that people usually get from a bite or scratch from an infected animal. |
| How is Australia rabies-free? | The Australian government has implemented various strategies to keep the country rabies-free, including the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS), which engages Indigenous communities in northern Australia to monitor animal health. Australia also partners with other countries and organizations to improve prevention, early detection, and response to rabies. |
| What is the risk of rabies in Australia? | While Australia is rabies-free, there is a risk of the disease entering the country through illegal smuggling of dogs, travelling with unvaccinated dogs, or the importation of dogs and cats from high-risk countries. Australia has revised import conditions and increased border security to manage these risks. |
| What is the impact of rabies in other countries? | Rabies is a significant public health problem worldwide, with at least 60,000 deaths from rabies each year, primarily in Africa and Asia. The majority of cases are caused by bites from infected dogs, and the disease has a profound impact on human and animal health. |
| Are there any similar viruses in Australia? | While Australia is free from rabies, Australian bats carry the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), a closely related virus in the lyssavirus family that can cause rabies-like symptoms and has led to human deaths in the country. |
| What should people do to protect themselves from rabies? | People travelling to areas where rabies is present should avoid contact with stray animals, especially dogs and cats, and not handle any bats. Vaccination before and after potential exposure to the virus can also prevent infection. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's efforts to prevent rabies
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies. However, the country has been taking several measures to prevent the introduction of the rabies virus into its ecology.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) works with communities across Australia, at the border, and overseas to keep the country free from rabies and other exotic diseases. Australia has also revised import conditions for dogs and cats, as the illegal smuggling of dogs and cats from other countries poses a risk of introducing rabies into the country. These revised import conditions are necessary to effectively manage the increased rabies biosecurity risks associated with the importation of these animals.
Australia has also been supporting its neighbouring countries, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor-Leste, to stay free from rabies through assistance with rabies prevention and response strategies, strengthening diagnostic capacity and integrated surveillance, and developing national rabies management plans. In 2022, Australia funded a regional rabies project to support the Indonesian Government in controlling dog-transmitted rabies in Bali by providing 200,000 dog rabies vaccines.
Additionally, Australia engages with Indigenous communities in northern Australia as part of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS). These communities play a crucial role in maintaining Australia's freedom from rabies and other exotic diseases. The Community Animal Health Surveillance Program, run by Indigenous rangers, provides quarterly reports on the health status of animals in their communities. These reports are used for trend analysis and early warning of any changes. The Indigenous rangers receive regular training from NAQS veterinarians and are encouraged to report any sick animals, including those displaying clinical signs of rabies.
Furthermore, Australia has implemented public health measures and vaccination programs to prevent the introduction and spread of rabies. Vaccination is the proven way to prevent human exposure and eliminate the disease at its source in endemic countries. Australia has contributed to a vaccine bank through the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which includes dog rabies vaccines that can be gifted to support rabies control and elimination programs.
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Australian bat lyssavirus
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies. However, the country has reported cases of the closely related Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). This virus is spread to people from infected bats through bites, scratches, or contact with saliva to mucous membranes or broken skin. It is found in fruit bats, flying foxes, and insect-eating microbats across Australia.
Since its discovery in 1996, there have only been four human cases of ABLV infection in Australia, with three recorded in Queensland and one in New South Wales. All four cases resulted in death. The most recent case was in 2025 when a man died after being bitten by a bat in New South Wales. The previous case was in 2013 when an 8-year-old boy from Queensland was scratched on the wrist by an infected bat and died two months later.
People who come into close contact with bats due to their work, volunteering, recreation, or other activities are at increased risk of ABLV infection. Vaccination is recommended for individuals with an increased risk of bat exposure. Three vaccine doses are given over one month as part of preventive vaccination, and periodic blood testing is recommended for those with ongoing bat exposure. If exposed to a potentially infected bat, individuals should wash the wound and seek medical care immediately. Treatment with a vaccine and immunoglobulin may be recommended.
To prevent the introduction of rabies into Australia, the country has implemented strict biosecurity measures, including revised import conditions for dogs and cats. Additionally, the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) engages Indigenous communities in northern Australia to ensure the country maintains its freedom from rabies and other exotic diseases.
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The risk of rabies in neighbouring countries
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies. However, the risk of rabies in neighbouring countries is a concern for Australia. The rabies virus has continued to spread through the eastern islands of Indonesia, which are very close to Australia's northern borders. This proximity poses a risk of the virus being introduced to Australia through the illegal importation of unvaccinated animals.
To address this risk, Australia has implemented several strategies. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) works closely with Indigenous communities in northern Australia through the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS). The Community Animal Health Surveillance Program, as part of the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program, involves Indigenous rangers reporting on the health status of animals in their communities. This helps detect any potential cases of rabies early on.
Additionally, Australia has provided assistance to its close neighbours, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor-Leste, in staying free from rabies. This includes support with rabies prevention and response strategies, strengthening diagnostic capacity, and developing national rabies management plans. In 2022, Australia funded a regional rabies project in Indonesia, providing 400,000 dog rabies vaccine doses to help control dog-transmitted rabies, especially in Bali.
Despite these efforts, the risk of rabies entering Australia through neighbouring countries remains. Increased rabies biosecurity risks are associated with the importation of dogs and cats, and fraudulent certification has been a growing issue. Australia has implemented revised import conditions to manage these risks effectively. The illegal smuggling of dogs and travelling with unvaccinated dogs also pose a threat, as seen in the case of a rabid dog from Morocco discovered in Spain in 2013.
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Australia's rabies-free status
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies. The Australian government works hard to maintain this status, as the toll on human and animal health would be profound if rabies were to become established in the country. The cost of response and elimination would also be immense.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) works with Indigenous communities in northern Australia as part of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS). Indigenous rangers report on the health status of animals in their communities and receive regular training from NAFF veterinarians. This helps to ensure that Australia maintains its freedom from rabies and other exotic diseases.
Australia has also implemented strict import conditions for dogs and cats to manage the increased rabies biosecurity risks associated with the importation of these animals. These include increased commercialisation of the trade and fraudulent certification. Australia's close proximity to Indonesia, where rabies is present, also poses a risk.
While Australia is rabies-free, the country is not entirely free of lyssaviruses, which include the rabies virus and the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). Bats in Australia may carry ABLV, which can be transmitted to humans through bites or scratches and cause rabies. Since its discovery in 1996, ABLV has caused four human deaths in Australia.
To protect themselves from rabies when travelling overseas, Australians are advised to stay away from animals, especially in areas where rabies is known to occur. This includes avoiding contact with stray dogs and cats and not handling any bats. Vaccination before and after exposure to the rabies virus can also help prevent infection.
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What to do if bitten by an animal that may have rabies
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies. However, the closely related Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) has been responsible for four deaths since its discovery in 1996. Public health officials have expressed concern that the arrival of rabies in Australia is likely, given its widespread presence in nearby Indonesia.
If you are in Australia and have been bitten or scratched by an animal that may have rabies, here is what you should do:
- Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals.
- Wash the wound with soap and water under pressure from a faucet for at least 5 minutes. Do not scrub as this may bruise the tissue.
- Apply an antiseptic lotion or cream.
- Dry the wound and cover it with a sterile dressing. Do not use tape or butterfly bandages to close the wound as this could trap harmful bacteria.
- Watch for signs of infection at the site, such as increased redness or pain, swelling, drainage, or fever.
- Call your healthcare provider right away and report the facts of the incident. They will examine your wound and ask questions to determine whether you need to be treated for rabies. You may also be tested for signs of rabies.
- If the animal can be tested or observed, it will be. Animals have to be euthanized (humanely killed) to be tested for rabies.
- If you are travelling to a country where rabies is present, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the rabies vaccine before you go.
- If you are moving a pet into Australia from a high-risk country, your pet will need to spend six months or more in a low-risk country first. They will also need a rabies titre test and valid vaccinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease affecting mammals and is almost always fatal. It is caused by a type of virus called a lyssavirus that people usually get from a bite or scratch from an infected animal.
Yes, Australian bats carry the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), which is closely related to rabies and can be transmitted from bats to humans, causing serious illness.
Australia engages with Indigenous communities in northern Australia as part of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS). These communities play a vital role in ensuring Australia remains rabies-free. Australia also works with other countries and organisations to improve prevention, early detection, preparedness, response, and elimination options for rabies.
If you are travelling to Australia with a pet, you must fulfil all veterinary requirements, including valid rabies vaccinations, an import permit, and other health documents. Moving from a high-risk country to a rabies-free country like Australia may require your pet to spend six months or more in a low-risk country first.
