Lifetime registration changes
You must now lifetime register your pet by 12 weeks of age or when ownership changes (whichever comes first).
By law in NSW all dogs and cats must be registered. You must take two steps to lifetime register your pet: microchipping and the registration payment. 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.
Be aware that late fees for all registration types and 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 has introduced annual permits for owners of non-desexed cats and declared 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.
By law, all pet owners in NSW must keep their pet's microchip details up-to-date so they can be contacted. If you have changed your address or phone number contact Council, or update via the NSW Pet Registry online.
Please note that ignoring written notices may lead to additional fines.
For all 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 rarely the case.
If you would like to check if your pet is registered, or if their microchip details are up-to-date, submit a customer request or call Customer Service on 02 9392 5000.
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 (at 1 July 2026).
| Description | Fee due | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog registration fee | $84 | Due by 12 weeks of age or when sold (whichever comes first) |
| Dog (not desexed) over 6 months of age – additional registration fee applies | $198 | Owner must pay an additional fee for a non-desexed dog that is over 6 months of age. If your vet has recommended delayed desexing, proof must be provided to Council before the dog reaches 6 months of age |
| Late fee for additional payment (see above) | $25 | Owner must also pay the late fee if they have not paid the additional fee within 28 days from the due date |
| Dog registration paid by an eligible pensioner | $37 | |
| Dog (desexed) sold by an eligible pound/shelter or an approved rehoming organisation) | $0 | Owners who adopt from an eligible pound/shelter or approved rehoming org. do not have to pay an additional fee if the dog is not desexed by 6 months of age |
| Dog (not desexed) where desexing is not recommended by a vet | $84 | Proof must be provided in writing to Council prior to the dog reaching 6 months of age |
| Dog (not desexed) paid by an eligible pensioner (where desexing is not recommended by a vet) | $37 | Proof must be provided in writing to Council prior to the dog reaching 6 months of age |
| Dog registration for a recognised breeding dog | $84 | Breeder must give council the necessary documentation so council can validate that the dog qualifies for this registration fee type |
| Dog (working, used mainly for droving, tending, working or protecting stock) | $0 | Most working dogs must be microchipped and registered on the NSW Pet Registry with the exception of dogs kept in particular parts of NSW |
| Dog - service of the NSW Government e.g. a police dog | $0 | |
| Assistance Animal | $0 | Council can request reasonable proof that your animal is a genuine assistance animal |
| Cat registration fee | $74 | Due by 12 weeks of age or when sold (whichever comes first) |
| Cat (not desexed by 4 months of age) annual permit fee | $104 | Owners are required to pay an annual permit as long as the cat remains non-desexed. After desexing the annual permit no longer applies |
| Late fee for annual permit (see above) | $25 | Owner must also pay the late fee if they have not paid the annual permit fee within 28 days from the due date |
| Cat registration paid by an eligible pensioner | $37 | |
| Cat – (desexed) sold by an eligible pound/shelter or an approved rehoming organisation) | $0 | Owners who adopt from an eligible pound/shelter or approved rehoming org. do not have to pay an annual permit fee if the cat is not desexed by 4 months of age |
| Cat (not desexed) where desexing is not recommended by a vet | $74 | Proof must be provided in writing to Council prior to the cat reaching 4 months of age |
| Cat (not desexed) paid by an eligible pensioner (where desexing is not recommended by a vet) | $37 | Proof must be provided in writing to Council prior to the cat reaching 4 months of age |
| Cat registration for a recognised breeding cat | $74 | Breeder must give council the necessary documentation so council can validate that the cat qualifies for this registration fee type |
| Registration late fee | $25 | If registration fee has not been paid 28 days after the date on which the dog or cat is required to be registered |
| Dangerous dog permit due annually | $247 | Applies for a dog formally declared 'dangerous' by council |
| Restricted dog permit due annually | $247 | Applies for a dog formally declared to be a 'restricted breed' by council, or restricted breed by birth |
| Late fee for dangerous or restricted dog permit | $247 | Owner must also pay the late fee if they have not paid the annual permit fee within 28 days from the due date |
By law, all cats and dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age, or when ownership is first transferred (whichever comes first).
Microchipping is the process of implanting a tiny, rice-sized microchip under your pet's skin. A vet or authorised council officer is trained to safely perform this quick procedure. When the microchip is scanned by an authorised officer, a unique 15-digit number can be read. The chip is initially 'blank' so an authorised council officer must manually enter owner contact details via the NSW Companion Animals Register.
Microchips are designed to function for the duration of your pet's life. Actual mechanical failure of a pet microchip is extremely rare (occurring in less than 0.01% of cases) because microchips have no internal battery or moving parts.
If a pet is found deceased, Council will attempt to scan the microchip and notify the listed owner.