The Companion Animals Act 1998 defines a working dog as one used mainly for:
- droving
- tending
- working or protecting stock
A ‘working dog’ includes a dog that is being trained for this purpose. It does not have to be a particular breed.
A dog used for hunting is not considered a working dog in NSW.
Microchipping and registration for working dogs
Most working dogs must be microchipped and registered on the NSW Pet Registry, with the exception of dogs kept in particular parts of NSW. However, there is no fee for registering a working dog.
You must still register your working dog through your local council. Councils may ask you to supply details or more documents to prove your pet is a working dog. Contact your local council to learn what information it needs.
Exemptions for working dogs
Exemptions apply to working dogs usually kept:
- in the Western Division of NSW that does not fall in a local government area (the Unincorporated Area), or
- on land categorised as farmland anywhere in NSW for the purposes of Part 3 of Chapter 15 the Local Government Act 1993
Both microchipping and registering your working dog is encouraged.
When working dogs must be microchipped and registered
- A working dog that is taken to a council pound must be microchipped and registered before it is returned to its owner
- Working dogs declared as:
- a nuisance, or
- restricted, or
- dangerous, or
- menacing