We are moving back to Australia after having lived out of the country for 7 years.  During that time we have managed to acquire a dog and a cat and would like to know how easy it is to transport them back there.

Move One Pet Transportation answered this question as follows:

Import permit
A import permit for Australia is required for pets entering from UAE. The permit is valid for 6months and takes 2 weeks to be obtained.

Microchip
All pets need to be microchipped and the number and date of microchip needs to be stated

Vaccinations
Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis(canine advenovirus), canine parvovirus (parvo), para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)
Cats must be vaccinated against feline enteritis(feline panleucopenia or feline distemper), rhinotracheitis and calcivirus
Rabies vaccination must be valid and up to date
RNATT blood test must be done at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 60 days- 12 months prior to departure

Age:
Pets may not be under 6 months old prior to departure and must be living in the country of export for at least 6 months prior to departure
All pets must arrive as manifest cargo

Banned Breeds:
Cats: Felis Servil, any cross breed with Servil or Savannah cats

Dogs: Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario, Fila Brazileiro
Pit bull terrier or American pit bull

Quarantine Period:
Australia has a minimum of 30 days mandatory quarantine in one of the three quarantine stations
Sydney
Melbourne
Perth
180 days must lapse from the time of the blood sample to when the pet can be released from quarantine. The pet must do at least 60 days quarantine in the origin country before it can be exported to Australia where it can do the remaining 120 days in quarantine. Minimum quarantine period in Australia is 30days