Is microchipping mandatory for cats and dogs in Australia?

Microchipping is a process where a small chip is placed just below the skin in the back of the neck of dogs and cats. This chip is linked to a database that contains the owner’s and pet’s details, and can be scanned by veterinarians and authorised scanners to reunite lost pets and their owners. Findpet is a free microchip registry allowing you to protect your pet in case it goes missing.

In Australia, microchipping of cats and dogs is mandatory prior to sale/transfer and by 12 weeks of age under Section 84 of the Domestic Animals Act 2000 and Regulation 7 of the Domestic Animals Regulation 20011. However, as per the same source, microchipping for cats is not yet compulsory but owners of cats over six months of age are encouraged to have their cat microchipped and desexed.

ACT

Yes. Section 84 of the Domestic Animals Act 2000 and Regulation 7 of the Domestic Animals Regulation 2001 requires microchipping of cats and dogs prior to sale/transfer and by 12 weeks of age.

NSW

Yes. Section 8 of the Companion Animals Act 1998 requires microchipping of cats and dogs prior to sale/transfer and by 12 weeks of age.

NT

No. However, it is compulsory if you are within the City of Darwin as part of the Council’s Animal Management By-Laws.

QLD

Yes. Section 14 of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires microchipping of cats and dogs prior to reaching 12 weeks of age unless there is a reasonable excuse.

SA

Yes. From July 1, 2018, part 4A of the Dog and Cat Management (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2016 requires all dogs and cats to be microchipped.

TAS

Yes for dogs only. Section 15A of the Dog Control Act 2000 requires microchipping of dogs by six months of age. Not yet for cats but owners of cats over six months of age are encouraged to have their cat microchipped and desexed.

VIC

Yes. Section 10A(1) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 requires that all cats and dogs must be microchipped by three months of age.

WA

Yes. Section 9(1) of the Cat Act 2011 requires that all cats must be microchipped by six months of age. Section 16(1) of the Dog Act 1976 requires that all dogs must be microchipped by three months of age.