Why it’s important to microchip and register your pet
The NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 requires all dog and cat owners to have their pets microchipped and lifetime registered.
Microchipping and Lifetime Registration is a two-step process that requires dog and cat owners to:
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Have their pet microchipped and identified on the NSW Pet Registry by the time they are 12 weeks of age by a vet or accredited implanter.
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Lifetime Register their pet on the NSW Pet Registry either by 12 weeks of age or on the day their ownership is transferred (whichever happens first).
When selling or giving away a cat or dog you must ensure it is microchipped (even if it is less than 12 weeks of age).
An additional registration fee applies if you do not desex your dog by 6 months of age and an annual permit fee applies if you do not desex your cat by 4 months of age. Registration is a once-only fee which covers the cat or dog for its lifetime, even if their owner changes.
This process assists Council to reunite lost pets with their families if found unattended or that have strayed from their owners property. Many cats and dogs are transferred to animal shelters because their owner can’t be contacted.
If you fail to have your cat or dog microchipped and registered by the required age, you may be issued with a fine. A late payment fee will also be applied if you do not pay registration when required.
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Microchipping (Identification)
In NSW, all cats and dogs, other than exempt cats and dogs, must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever occurs first.
After your pet is microchipped by a vet or accredited implanter, a Permanent identification form will be completed with the identification information and owner details. Once your details are entered into the NSW Companion Animal Register, you will be sent a Record of Identification.
You can then go online to the Pet Registry and either create a profile or log in using your MyServiceNSW Account details to view your pets records and pay registration.
The NSW Pet Registry enables the pet owner to:
- Create an owner profile.
- Update their pets microchip details.
- Transfer ownership of pets.
- Report their pet missing and found.
- Pay most lifetime registration fees online.
For more information visit Microchipping Office of Local Government or NSW Pet Registry User Guide for instructions on creating a profile and registering your pet.
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Lifetime registration
All dogs and cats, other than exempt dogs and cats, must be registered on the NSW Pet Registry either by 12 weeks of age or immediately upon transfer of ownership (whichever happens first). The registration fee is a once-only payment which covers the dog or cat for its lifetime in NSW, regardless of any changes in ownership. Registration fees and processes are set by the NSW State Government and are applicable to all Council's in NSW.
In NSW, dog owners must pay an additional registration fee if they don't desex their dog by 6 months of age. Cat owners must pay an annual permit if they don’t desex their cat by 4 months of age.
You must ensure your pets desexing status is updated online on the NSW Pet Registry prior to your pet reaching the recommended desexing age. This can be done by your vet or by taking the desexing documentation to your council. If vets recommend you delay desexing for medical reasons, or avoid it entirely, they can record this on the NSW Pet Registry or provide you a certificate declaring a temporary or permanent desexing exemption. Visit the Pet Registry website for further details on Desexing a pet .
For breeders, if your puppies or kittens are still in your care after 12 weeks, you must register them as your own pet and pay the registration fee.
Until payment is made, your pet is not registered and you may be liable for fines, including a fixed penalty notice of $330. A late payment fee will also be applied if you do not pay registration when required.
The NSW Government has introduced free lifetime registration for people who adopt a rescue pet from council pounds, animal shelters, and approved rehoming organisations. For details on how to register a rescue animal visit Adopt a cat or dog. Discounted registration fees also apply for owners of desexed animals who are eligible pension card holders.
Registration fees are used by Councils for providing animal management related services to the community such as shelter and pound facilities, ranger services, dog refuse bins, educational and other companion animal related activities.
For further information on pet registration in NSW visit Register a pet.
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How do I lifetime register my pet?
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Documents required
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Pet registration form.
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Non-desexed cat and dog fees form if applicable.
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Proof of desexing if applicable.
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Proof of entitlement to a reduced registration fee (eligible pensioner) or an exemption (sold by pound/shelter).
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Proof of recognised breeder ID if applicable.
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Registration fees
All registration fees are the same across NSW in accordance with sections 18 and 27 of the Companion Animals Regulation 2018. These fees are set by the NSW Office of Local Government and are applicable to all Council's in NSW.
Companion Animal Lifetime Registration fees increase annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. The current fees for 2024/25 are outlined below.
Registration fees for dogs and cats
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Registration type
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Registration description
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Registration fee
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Dog – Standard lifetime registration
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Basic lifetime registration fee for a dog.
Note: An extra fee 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.
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$78.00
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Dog – Standard lifetime registration – Eligible Pensioner
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Basic lifetime registration fee for a dog owned by an eligible pensioner.
Note: An extra fee 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.
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$34.00
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Dog – Additional fee payable for non-desexed
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Owner must pay an extra registration fee for dogs that are not desexed by 6 months of age.
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$184.00
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Cat – Standard lifetime registration
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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.
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$68.00
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Cat – Standard lifetime registration – eligible pensioner
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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.
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$34.00
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Registration late fee
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The owner must also pay a late fee if they have not paid the registration fee on the due date or within 28 days of when it was due.
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$22.00
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Registration fees for recognised breeding animals
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Registration type
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Registration description
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Registration fee
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Dog – Recognised breeding dog
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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.
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$78.00
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Cat – Recognised breeding cat
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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.
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$68.00 |
No pet registration fee payable
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Registration type
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Registration description
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Registration fee
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Dog – Desexed dog sold by council pound, shelter, or rehoming organisation
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Desexed dog sold by a 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 annual permit fee if the dog is desexed after 6 months of age.
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$0.00
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Dog – Service of the state
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Dog in the service of the NSW Government, for example, a police dog.
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$0.00
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Dog – Working
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Working dog.
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$0.00
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Dog – Assistance animal
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Assistance animal.
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$0.00
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Cat – Desexed cat sold by council pound, shelter, or rehoming organisation
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Desexed cat sold by an eligible council pound, shelter or 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.
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$0.00
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Cat – Assistance animal
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Assistance animal.
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$0.00 |
Pets exempt from registration and microchipping
- Cats born before 1 July 1999 when ownership has not changed.
- Working dogs usually kept in a part of the Western Division of NSW that is not within a local government area or on land categorised as farmland for the purposes of Part 3 of Chapter 15 of the Local Government Act 1993.
- 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.
- Assistance animals, police dogs, corrective services dogs, and commonwealth officers' dogs are exempt from paying registration fees but must be microchipped and registered on the NSW Pet Registry.
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Updating your pets microchip details
It is important to ensure that your pets microchip details are kept up to date so your pet can be easily returned home. Change of ownership, address, contact details or if your pet is missing or deceased, are all details which need to be updated.
You can update these details on the NSW Pet Registry website via your owner profile or you can provide Council the necessary documents and we can update those details for you.
Change of ownership
If you sell or give away your pet, it is the responsibility of the previous owner to ensure the ownership is transferred into the new owner’s name within 14 days. You can transfer ownership of microchipped pets online instantly via your NSW Pet Registry profile using the ‘Transfer a pet’ button, selecting the pet you wish to transfer and entering the new owners email address.
If the new owner is not able to create a NSW Pet Registry profile, you must ensure a Change of owner form is completed by both the ‘old’ and ‘new’ owners and submitted to Council by the previous owner.
You can use the NSW Pet Registry to transfer ownership of microchipped pets to people who live interstate or overseas. These new owners do not need to create NSW Pet Registry profiles. Select the relevant pet from your profile and choose the ‘Interstate’ or ‘Overseas’ option, then enter the new owner’s details. The NSW Pet Registry will send a confirmation email to the new owner with the pet’s details and guidance on what they should do next.
For further information on selling or giving away pets in NSW visit Transfer ownership.
Change of address or details
If you have recently moved or changed your contact details, you must update your pets details within 14 days either online via the NSW Pet Registry or by completing the Update your detail form and submitting to Council.
If you have any enquires regarding the details of your pet, please contact Customer Service on (02) 9330 6400 Monday to Friday between 8.30am - 5.00pm.
Moved interstate or from overseas
If you have moved into Georges River Council with your pet from another state or country you must identify and register your pet on the NSW Pet Registry.
You will need to provide proof of ownership to Council in the form of a bill of sale or a statutory declaration if unavailable. You are required to provide a permanent identification form and a completed verification of existing microchip form which can be signed by any vet.
Once your pets microchip details are entered on the pet registry you must complete a lifetime registration form and pay the applicable fees.
About the NSW Pet Registry
The NSW Pet Registry (Registry) is a database managed by the Office of Local Government for cats and dogs that live in NSW. This is the official database in NSW for registering your animal in accordance with the Companion Animals Act 1998.
Visit the Office of Local Government NSW Pet Registry website for more information. If you require any further information or assistance, please contact the NSW Pet Registry at pets@olg.nsw.gov.au or 1300 134 460.
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