Dogs
Important Information for Dog Owners
From the 1 November 2015 ALL dogs over the age of three months must be microchipped.
Amendments introduced on 1 November 2013 require that all new dogs registered for the first time, or dogs that are transferred to a new owner, need to be microchipped. All existing dogs need to be microchipped by 1 November 2015.
Microchips are available through your veterinarian.
You are required by law to register your dog!
Registrations are due on the 1 November each year and can be renewed for one or three years. Lifetime is also now available. Upon paying your dogs registration renewal you must supply a copy of your dogs microchip details. Registrations will not be renewed if your dog is not microchipped.
It is an offence to keep an unregistered dog over the age of three months. The maximum fine is $5,000. Higher penalties apply if your dog is a dangerous dog.
If your dog is unregistered and impounded, local governments may exercise the right to keep your dog in their pound until both the registration fee and pound fee are paid.
Responsible Dog Ownership
As a dog owner you have a responsibility to ensure that his or her dog is well looked after.
In addition, it is important that dog owners respect other people in the community. This can be achieved by keeping dogs adequately confined on their properties, on a leash in public places, preventing aggressive behaviour and controlling excessive barking.
The Dog Act 1976
The Dog Act 1976 is administered and enforced by local governments within their respective districts. The Act addresses the control and registration of dogs; the ownership and keeping of dogs; and the obligations and rights of dog owners and others.
As of 1 November 2013, amendments to the Dog Act 1976 come into affect.
These changes have been made to;
- Improve community safety, through increased controls over dangerous dogs and higher penalties to encourage more responsible dog ownership
- Enable nuisance behaviour, including barking, to be more effectively dealt with
- Recognise assistance dogs as an extension of the guide dog provisions
- Require mandatory microchipping, lifetime dog registrations and impounding provisions
Registrations
The Registration period is from 1 November to 31 October the following year.
As a dog owner you are legally required to register your dog with the appropriate local government.
Microchipping
As of 1 November 2013 all new dogs registered have to be microchipped.
If your already own a dog and it is currently registered, it must be microchipped by the 1 November 2015.
Registration Fees
I YEAR REGISTRATION
| Full | Concession | Working dog |
|---|
| Sterilised |
$20.00 |
$10.00 |
$5.00 |
| Unsterilised |
$50.00 |
$25.00 |
$13 |
3 YEAR REGISTRATION
| Full | Concession | Working dog |
|---|
| Sterilised |
$43 |
$21.25 |
$10.60 |
| Unsterilised |
$120.00 |
$60.00 |
$30.00 |
LIFETIME REGISTRATION
| Full | Concession | Working dog |
|---|
| Sterilised |
$100.00 |
$50.00 |
- |
| Unsterilised |
$250.00 |
$125.00 |
- |
Click here to download the Dog Registration Application Form.
Having your dog microchipped and registered will help local governments readily identify lost dogs and quickly reunite them with their owners.
Helpful Links
Department of Local Government and Communities - Responsible Cat Ownership page
RSPCA