Pet registration & permits

Identification

In NSW, all cats and dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever happens first. Cats and dogs should also wear a tag with the owner’s contact details.

Only an Authorised Identifier can microchip a cat or dog in NSW. An Authorised Identifier may be a vet or a person who has completed the relevant qualification. For example, an animal welfare organisation employee, a vet nurse, a pet grooming business operator, an employee of a pet shop or a breeder.

The Authorised Identifier enters the identification information (microchip details) onto the NSW Pet Registry and issues the owner with a Certificate of Identification.

For more information on microchipping, refer to the Office of Local Government.

Registration and permits

It is compulsory for dogs and cats to be registered from 6 months of age. After your animal has been microchipped, visit petregistry.nsw.gov.au to complete the registration. If you would prefer, download the Lifetime Registration form and make payment over the counter at a Waverley Council customer service centre.

To minimise registration and permit fees, have your dog or cat desexed before registration. A Certificate of Desexing is required at time of registration.

For more information on lifetime registration, refer to the Office of Local Government.

Cats which are not de-sexed, and dogs which are classified as dangerous or restricted, must be registered and an annual permit is also required. You can pay the permit each year via your animal’s petregistry.nsw.gov.au online profile, or if you would prefer, download the Application for Annual Permit form and make payment over the counter at a Waverley Council customer service centre.

For more information on annual permits, refer to the Office of Local Government.

For more information on restricted or dangerous dogs, click here.

Change of ownership or address

It is a requirement to keep a cat or dog’s registration current, including the correct owner details. This also ensures if your animal is ever found, it can be returned to you promptly.

Updates can be made via the animal’s petregistry.nsw.gov.au online profile, or if you would prefer, download the Change of Owner / Details form and take it to a Waverley Council customer service centre.

Other pet species

Council’s jurisdiction is limited to the dog and cat inclusions of the NSW Companion Animals Act. For resources about other pets, see below:

  • Rabbits can be kept as pets if in an enclosure. No registration or permit is required. For more information, visit RSPCANSW.org.au.
  • Some birds can be kept as pets, however in certain instances a licence will be required. For more information, visit environment.nsw.gov.au.
  • A limited number of native animals can be kept as pets, often requiring a licence. For more information visit environment.nsw.gov.au.

To protect Australia’s unique ecosystem, only dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected species of birds from approved countries may be imported as pets and only when strict conditions are met. Be extremely cautious buying any pet or pet food online – for more information, visit the Department of Agriculture.