Pets

Legislation and Codes of Practice – Pet Ownership

Whether you are considering rehoming or adopting a pet, there are laws and codes of practice that affect pet ownership for each state and territory.

ACT - Domestic Animals Act 2000
QLD - Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (PDF, 1.4MB) and Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008
SA - Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 for pet registration and microchipping, and the Animal Welfare Act 1985 for general care and breeding.
TAS - Dog Control Act 2000 for dogs, specific cat management regulations, and the general Animal Welfare Act 1993 for overall pet care.
NT - Animal Protection and Related Legislation Amendment Act 2025
VIC - Domestic Animals Act 1994
NSW - Animal Companion Act 1998

Assistance Dogs

A person with a disability has the right to be accompanied into any building or into any location that is accessible to or used by the public, as well as on any public transportation, by an assistance animal that they legitimately use to help them.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992) and NSW companion animal regulations, assistance dogs are legally recognised working animals with public access rights.

Under the same regulations and legislation, therapy dogs and emotional support animals are legally classified as REGULAR PETS and do not have public access rights.

Assistance Dogs Laws & Registration in NSW

Definition: Trained to perform specific tasks that alleviate the effects of a person's disability (e.g., guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility support, or medical alert dogs).

Public Access: Legally allowed to accompany handlers in all public places (supermarkets, restaurants, and public transport) provided they are well-behaved and hygienic.

Public Access Test (PAT): Genuine assistance dogs generally must pass a PAT to prove they are safe and responsive in public spaces.

Council Registration: Under the Companion Animals Act, you can register an assistance animal free of charge on the NSW Pet Registry via your local council by providing training evidence or a signed declaration.

Public Transport Permits: In NSW, an Assistance Animal Permit from Transport for NSW may be required for general public transport access (though accredited guide and hearing dogs are exempt).

Assistance Animal Permit - Transport for NSW

All States, Territories & ACT

Please check the laws and regulations with your local government if you currently own an assistance dog or are planning to begin training one:

NSW Pets Registry

Go to NSW Pet Registry

The NSW Pet Registry allows you to pay registration online, helps furry family members return home if lost, and keeps you up-to-date with your pet's important milestones.

Many aspects of owning a pet have changed. The following is just a snapshot:

Identification #

In NSW, anyone selling or giving away a cat or dog must include an identification number in their advertisement.

This identification number must be one of the following:

Before reporting a potential breach, please check the NSW Pet Registry to verify the identification number.

https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/pets/nsw-pet-registry

Microchipping

When should a pet be microchipped?
All cats and dogs must be microchipped:
before being sold or given away, or by 12 weeks of age.

Desexing

Dog owners must pay an additional fee if their dog is not desexed before 6 months of age. 

Cat owners must pay an annual permit fee if their cat is not desexed before 4 months of age.

Buyer's Search in NSW

Why do you need an MN, BIN or RON when advertising? It is used to do a Buyer's Search.

The NSW Buyer's Search is used to learn more about a breeder, rehoming organisation, or pet before buying or adopting; see our example of Bailey the French Bulldog.

Check your state or territory Pet Legislation and search capacity on various Pet Registry Databases:

Microchip and Registration by state

Check the microchip and your registration

Legislation by state for Pet Adoption/Sales/Rehoming

Check the Legislation by State for Pet Sales/Rehoming/Adoptions