Lifetime registration
You must now lifetime register your pet by 12 weeks of age
In NSW dogs and cats must be registered by the time they reach 12 weeks of age. You must take two steps to lifetime register your pet: microchipping and registration. These two steps will help return your pet to you if it is lost, hurt or stolen.
Cats must be desexed by 4 months of age, and dogs by 6 months of age, or additional fees and annual cat permits apply.
See the Office of Local Government website for a current list of registration fees, and details on how to register your pet.
Annual permits for certain pets
From 1 July 2020 the NSW Government will introduce annual permits for owners of non-desexed cats and dangerous and restricted dogs.
These changes have been created to improve health and wellbeing of pets and to encourage owners in better management of their pets.
See the Office of Local Government website for information on annual permits.
Received a letter to register your pet?
Council routinely conducts pet registration audits, issuing written notices to pet owners who have not yet paid their pet's council registration fee or annual permit fee. For enquiries relating to Council's pet registration audit program, email petregistrationaudit@innerwest.nsw.gov.au or call Customer Service on 02 9392 5000.
FAQs
You can either create a profile on the NSW Pet Registry online or pay in person at your local council service centre.
Pet lifetime registration is a one-off payment made to council, due by the time your pet is 12 weeks of age. If payment is received by any council in NSW, a receipt is issued and your pet's microchip information is updated on the NSW Pet Registry by an authorised officer. Council has the ability to check the registration status of any microchip on the NSW Pet Registry and will send correspondence to the address listed on your pet's microchip. For this reason, it is important to keep your contact details up to date by creating a profile on the NSW Pet Registry.
Do not assume the breeder has paid registration, or that your vet would have notified you if your pet was not registered, as this is not usually the case.
All fine reviews must go through Revenue NSW, not Council. Visit their website for details.
Pet registration fees, as set by the Companion Animals Act 1998, are listed here on the Office of Local Government website (effective from 1 July 2025).
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dog – Registration fee (by 12 weeks or when sold, if earlier than 12 weeks) | $80 |
| Dog – Additional Registration Fee (dog not desexed by 6 months) | $189 |
| Dog – Registration (by eligible pensioner) | $35 |
| Dog - Desexed (sold/transferred from pound/shelter or an approved rehoming organisation) | $0 |
| Dog – Registration (Desexing not recommended) | $80 |
| Dog – Registration (Desexing not recommended eligible pensioner) | $35 |
| Dog – Registration (recognised breeder) | $80 |
| Dog – working | $0 |
| Dog - service of the state | $0 |
| Assistance Animal | $0 |
| Cat – Registration fee (by 12 weeks or when sold, if earlier than 12 weeks) | $70 |
| Cat – Registration (eligible pensioner) | $35 |
| Cat – Desexed (sold/transferred from pound/shelter or an approved rehoming organisation) | $0 |
| Cat – Registration (Desexing not recommended) | $70 |
| Cat – Registration (Desexing not recommended - eligible pensioner) | $35 |
| Cat – Registration (recognised breeder) | $70 |
| Registration Late Fee (If registration fee has not been paid 28 days after the date on which the dog or cat is required to be registered) | $23 |