Animal registration

From 1 July 2020 the Government has introduced annual permits for owners of non-desexed cats, restricted dog breeds, and dogs declared to be dangerous.

Lifetime Registration is compulsory for cats and dogs. The Companion Animals Act 1998, which came into effect in September 1998 to replace the Dog Act 1966, is designed to benefit pets, their owners and the wider community.

Amongst other things, the Companion Animals Act requires cats and dogs to be identified by microchip by the age of 12 weeks and lifetime registered by the age of 6 months. The permanent identification and lifetime registration system, which came into effect on 1 July 1999, greatly assists authorities in returning lost and injured animals to their owners.

Registration is a two-stage process

STEP 1: 'Chip In'

By 12 weeks of age, dogs and cats must be permanently identified through microchipping. When an animal is microchipped, its identification details are entered onto the NSW Companion Animals Register. A Certificate of Identification is issued to the owner to certify that their animal's details have been entered. Microchipping can be arranged through your local vet or animal welfare organisation.

If you obtain an animal that has not been microchipped, it becomes your responsibility to microchip your pet. Note: the penalty for selling or giving away an animal without a microchip, or for owning a pet without a microchip, exceeds $165.

STEP 2: Registration

By six months of age, all dogs and cats must be registered on the NSW Companion Animals Register. It is an offence to own an unregistered dog over six months old. If your cat is not desexed by four months of age you will incur an annual permit fee, in addition to the lifetime registration fee.

You can register your animal online via the NSW Pet Registry website or Service NSW. The state-wide register links owners' details to the animals' microchip. Your privacy is strictly protected as only authorised people can access the Register.

Alternatively, you can register via Council by submitting a Lifetime Registration form along with your Certificate of Identification. Please also include your desexing certificate or pensioner card if applicable, to ensure you received the discounted rate. The documents can be submitted by email to info@waverley.nsw.gov.au or in person at our Customer Service Centre located at 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022.

If the registration fee has not been paid 28 days after the date on which the animals is required to be registered, a late fee applies

Lifetime registration prices

  • Dog - Desexed (by relevant age) - $66
  • Dog - Desexed (by relevant age eligible pensioner) - $27
  • Dog - Desexed (sold by pound/shelter) - $0
  • Dog - Not desexed or desexed (after relevant age) - $224
  • Dog - Not desexed (not recommended by Vet) - $66
  • Dog - Not desexed (recognised breeder) - $66
  • Dog - Working - $0
  • Dog - Service of the State - $0
  • Assistance animal - $0
  • Cat - Desexed or Not desexed - $56
  • Cat - Eligible pensioner - $27
  • Cat - Desexed (sold by pound/shelter) - $0
  • Cat - Not desexed (not recommended) - $56
  • Cat - Not desexed (recognised breeder) - $56

Current prices for new animal permits

The NSW Government has introduced annual permits for non-desexed cats and restricted and dangerous dogs from 1 July 2020. Owners of these pets will be required to pay an annual permit fee, in addition to the lifetime pet registration fee. An additional $18 late fee is applicable if a permit is not paid for by 28 days after the permit requirement took effect.

  • Non-desexed cats, by four months of age - $81
  • Dogs of a restricted breed or formally declared dangerous - $197

The prices above are applicable from 1 July 2021.

Annual Permits – Frequently Asked Questions

For further details visit The Office of Local Government website.