All pet cats and dogs in NSW must be registered on the NSW Pet Registry either by 12 weeks of age or immediately upon transfer (whichever happens first).
Additional fees for non-desexed pets apply for dogs over 6 months of age, and cats over 4 months of age.
Registration fees for dogs and cats
| Registration type | Registration description | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dog – Standard lifetime registration | Basic lifetime registration fee for a dog Note: An additional payment applies if a dog is not desexed by 6 months of age. If a vet decides that a dog should not be desexed before 6 months of age or ever in its life, a temporary or permanent exemption from the additional fee may be granted. | $78.00 |
| Dog – Standard lifetime registration – Eligible Pensioner | Basic lifetime registration fee for a dog owned by an eligible pensioner Note: An additional payment applies if a dog is not desexed by 6 months of age. If a vet decides that a dog should not be desexed before 6 months of age or ever in its life, a temporary or permanent exemption from the additional fee may be granted. | $34.00 |
| Cat – Standard lifetime registration | Basic lifetime registration fee for a cat Note: An annual permit fee applies if a cat is not desexed by 4 months of age. If a vet determines that a cat should not be desexed before 4 months of age or ever in its life, a temporary or permanent exemption from the annual permit fee may be granted. | $68.00 |
| Cat – Standard lifetime registration – eligible pensioner | Basic lifetime registration fee for a cat owned by an eligible pensioner Note: An annual permit fee applies if a cat is not desexed by 4 months of age. If a vet determines that a cat should not be desexed before 4 months of age or ever in its life, a temporary or permanent exemption from the annual permit fee may be granted. | $34.00 |
| Registration late fee | The owner must also pay a late fee if they have not paid the registration fee within 28 days of when it was due. | $22.00 |
Registration fees for recognised breeding animals
To avoid paying a fee for owning a non-desexed pet, you will need to provide your council with additional documentation verifying their status as a breeding animal.
Find out more about how to register your breeding animal.
| Registration type | Registration description | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dog – Recognised breeding dog | Dog not desexed by 6 months of age and kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes. Note: Breeder must give council the necessary documentation so council can validate that the dog qualifies for this registration fee type. | $78.00 |
| Cat – Recognised breeding cat | Cat not desexed by 4 months of age and kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes. Note: Breeder must give council the necessary documentation so council can validate the cat qualifies for this registration fee type. | $68.00 |
Nil pet registration fee payable
| Registration type | Registration description | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dog – Desexed dog sold by an eligible council pound, shelter, or an approved rehoming organisation | Note: Owners who adopt from a council pound, shelter or an approved rehoming organisation do not have to pay an additional fee if the dog is desexed after 6 months of age. | $0 |
| Cat – Desexed cat sold by an eligible council pound, shelter, or approved rehoming organisation | Note: Owners who adopt from a council pound, shelter or an approved rehoming organisation do not have to pay an annual permit fee if the cat is desexed after 4 months of age. | $0 |
| Dog – Service of the state | Dog in the service of the NSW Government, for example, a police dog | $0 |
| Dog – Working | Most working dogs must be microchipped and registered on the NSW Pet Registry, with the exception of dogs kept in particular parts of NSW. | $0 |
| Dog – Assistance animal | Councils can request reasonable proof that your animal is a genuine assistance animal. | $0 |
| Cat – Assistance animal | Councils can request reasonable proof that your animal is a genuine assistance animal. | $0 |
Pets exempt from registration and microchipping
- Greyhounds currently registered under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017.
- An animal in the custody of an accredited research establishment within the meaning of the Animal Research Act 1985.
- An animal kept at a licensed animal display establishment within the meaning of the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986.
- An animal that is ordinarily kept outside NSW and that has not been continuously in NSW for a period of at least three months.
- An animal where a veterinary practitioner has certified in writing, before the animal was 12 weeks of age, that identification of the animal would constitute a serious health risk to the animal.