Six years ago, when Queensland resident Bea brought a grey-cheeked parakeet named Rio home, it was just a small ball of blue feathers. Since then, they have been inseparable. A year ago, Bea decided to move to Croatia, on the other side of the world, more than 14,000 kilometers away, and she refused to leave Rio behind.
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02-26, 2025However, Australia's strict biosecurity laws now threaten to tear them apart. These laws might not be an issue if Rio were a cat or dog, rather than a grey-cheeked parakeet. According to regulations, pet birds are prohibited from being imported into Australia unless they meet two important criteria: first, they must belong to one of several specific parrot species, and second, they must be brought from New Zealand by owners permanently relocating to Australia.
All other pet birds are banned from entry, even if they were born and raised in Australia like Rio. Cats and dogs can be imported more freely, provided they come from approved countries (Croatia is one of them) and undergo specific tests and treatments. "It is frustrating and upsetting that pet cats and dogs can be brought back to Australia under strict biosecurity measures, but parrots like Rio are not given the same opportunity," Bea told 9news.com.au.
It wasn't until last month, when Bea was planning to move back to Australia with Rio, that she contacted the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (AFF) and learned of the ban on bringing pet birds like Rio back to Australia. An AFF spokesperson told 9news.com.au: "Birds can carry diseases such as avian influenza, which has the potential to devastate Australia's unique native birdlife, poultry industry, and other birds."
The ban was introduced nearly 30 years ago to protect Australia's livestock and wildlife populations from exotic diseases and pests, a concern that remains in 2025. A highly contagious strain of avian influenza (H5N1) is causing devastating outbreaks in birds, mammals, and, in rare cases, humans worldwide, and strict biosecurity laws like the one preventing Rio from entering help limit its spread in Australia. Bea understands the importance of preventing pests and diseases from entering, but she would like to see the introduction of safe and legal pathways for pet parrot owners to bring them into the country.
"Australia is where I grew up, and we want to come home as a family," she said. "Other pets, such as dogs and cats, can migrate under these measures, but parrots like Rio are excluded, which is unfair." Currently, a scientific review of the risks associated with importing psittacine birds into Australia is underway, and depending on the outcome of the review, new pathways may be opened up for owners like Bea. "Whether pet psittacine birds will be eligible for import into Australia will only be determined after this scientific review is completed," said the AFF spokesperson. But this doesn't help Bea and Rio at the moment.
While she is desperate to return to Australia, Bea cannot imagine moving back without her little companion, who loves to cuddle and sing lullabies to her. Rio would also likely suffer if left behind in Croatia; pet parrots form strong emotional bonds with their owners and can decline mentally and physically if suddenly rehomed. Daniel Gowland, facilities manager at Priam Psittaculture Centre, told 9news.com.au: "Their emotional maturity is similar to that of a three-year-old human child, which makes them very sensitive to social upheaval."
He also explained that while the ban on importing parrots is intended to prevent pests and diseases from entering, they can still enter the country through the black market for live animals. As a result, while responsible owners are unable to bring their pets home, smugglers who illegally traffic parrots profit from it, while also putting native animal populations at risk. "The lack of legal import pathways, coupled with high compliance costs, fuels illegal smuggling," he said. "Without a regulated process, we cannot protect Australia's unique environment – we are fueling the black market to thrive."
Bea has started a [Change.org petition](https://www.change.org/p/allow-pet-parrots-to-return-home-to-australia-help-us-reunite-with-rio "Change.org petition") to create a legal pathway for bringing pet birds into the country. She has also contacted the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, pleading with them to consider Rio's case, but has yet to receive a response. While the path forward remains unclear, one thing is certain for Bea: the thought of leaving Rio behind is simply unbearable. "I promised to take care of him until his last breath. No pet owner should have to choose between their home and abandoning their beloved companion."
