Registration, microchipping, leash rules and council fees are set by states, territories and local councils. Bringing a dog or cat in from overseas is strictly controlled federally, with an import permit and quarantine at Mickleham, Victoria.
Registration, microchipping, leash rules, licence fees and breed rules are set by each state and territory and by local councils, not by the federal government.
Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 as amended in 2024: from 28 August 2024 these 5 breeds are prohibited from being owned unless the owner has a reasonable excuse. Dog attack offences carry penalties of up to $120,890. [2]
Domestic Animals Act 1994 (Restricted Breed Dogs amendment 2017): restricted breed dogs must be registered, desexed, microchipped, wear a prescribed collar, be muzzled and leashed off the premises, with a prescribed enclosure and warning signs. [3]
Companion Animals Act 1998 s55: restricted dogs (the four named breeds, any breed whose import is prohibited under Commonwealth customs law, and any dog a council declares restricted) must be microchipped, registered, desexed, held under an annual permit, kept in a compliant enclosure, muzzled and on a secure lead outside it, wear the prescribed collar, never be in the sole charge of a person under 18, and must not be bred, sold or given away. [4]
Dog and Cat Management Act 1995: 'prescribed breeds' must be desexed, muzzled, confined to the owner's property and on a lead of no more than 2 metres elsewhere, and must not be sold, given away or advertised. The council page spells two names 'Fila Braziliero' and 'Dogo Argentina'; standard spellings used here. [5]
Dog Control Act 2000: a declared restricted breed dog must be desexed and microchipped within 28 days of the declaration, kept securely confined at home with warning signs and an approved collar, and in public be muzzled, on a lead of no more than 2 metres, and handled by someone aged 18 or over. A buyer needs council approval before taking ownership. [6]
Dog Act 1976 (restricted breed provisions moved from regulations into the Act): restricted breeds are dangerous dogs and need a prescribed red and yellow collar, a childproof escape-proof enclosure, warning signs, and a muzzle and lead of no more than 2 metres held by an adult outside the enclosure. [7]
Other rules
Imported dogs may not include banned breeds such as dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier and Presa Canario, nor several wolfdog hybrids.[8]
Travelling to Australia with a dog
From an EU country
Import permit needed from BICON (A$603 for the first animal, A$288 for each extra). Allow at least 6 months. Animal must come from an approved country, have an ISO microchip, have lived in approved countries 180 days and go through quarantine at Mickleham. Most European countries are expected to be Group 3, which also needs a rabies vaccination plus RNATT blood test; Group 2 (rabies-free) countries skip the RNATT.[9]
From outside the EU
Same permit, microchip, 180-day residency and quarantine path. Group 2 (rabies-free, e.g. Japan, Singapore, Fiji, Iceland, Hawaii) needs identity check, permit, parasite treatments and tests, and a 10 day minimum quarantine. Group 3 needs rabies vaccination, RNATT of 0.5 IU/ml or more, permit and a 30 day (or 10 day with identity check) quarantine. Direct flight to Melbourne only.[10]
Rabies antibody test
Group 3 only: RNATT (FAVN or RFFIT) taken 12 months to 180 days before export, result at least 0.5 IU/ml, valid 12 months.[10]
Tapeworm treatment
Two internal parasite treatments for worms (nematodes and cestodes), at least 14 days apart, both within 45 days of export, the second within 5 days of export.[10]
Quarantine
Minimum 30 days at Mickleham for Group 3, or 10 days if an identity check was done; 10 days minimum for Group 2. Owner pays all costs.[10]
What a dog costs in Australia
Running costs for a medium-sized dog of about 20 kg, from current prices: about 1,924 AUD a year, 2,011 AUD in the first year with gear and microchip. Each breed page has its own figure.
Not confirmed yet: Registration, Microchip, Dog tax, Licence or owner test, Liability insurance, Leash and muzzle. We only show what an official or named source states.
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.