Register your Assistance Dog

Assistance dogs can be registered for free if the owner meets the eligibility criteria.

What is an Assistance Dog?

An assistance dog is trained to perform tasks or functions that assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of their disability.

This can include but not limited to:

  • dogs trained to assist with individuals with mobility impairments
  • autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • sudden medical alerts. 

Eligibility for free registration

To be eligible for free registration, you must provide evidence that:

  • you (or your client) have a disability that requires an assistance dog
  • the assistance dog is trained to ease the effect(s) of the disability
  • the assistance dog has completed obedience training by a registered dog trainer
  • the assistance dog is at least 12 months old
  • the assistance dog is desexed.

The exemption will not apply to:

  • an assistance dog that is a declared dangerous, menacing, or a restricted breed dog
  • the owner of an assistance dog that has been convicted of two or more offences under the
  • DA Act, with respect to the same assistance dog.

Learn more about the Assistance Animal registration scheme online a Animal Welfare Victoria.

    Apply

    Step 1.Collect evidence

    If you meet the eligibility criteria you will need to provide supporting evidence, including:

    • a declaration from a health professional that the applicant (or client) has a disability as defined under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the dog is required to assist them in alleviating the effect(s) of that disability.
    • a declaration from a dog trainer that the dog has completed appropriate and adequate dog training in both assistance skills and obedience.
    • ·veterinary advice confirming the assistance dog’s birth date and desexing status.

    Step 2.Complete application form

    Download and complete the application form. 

    Assistance Dogs registration application form(PDF, 323KB)

    Assistance Dogs registration application form(DOCX, 176KB)

    Step 3.Submit evidence

    Please submit your application form, and supporting evidence one of the following ways:

    Step 4.Review evidence

    Once the evidence has been received Council will review and respond with the outcome of the application. 

    Contact Us

    Phone

    1300 88 22 33

    Alternate Phone

    (03) 9298 4598

    Email

    maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au

    Changed address?

    To change your mailing address for your pet registration, please complete a change of details form.

    Owner responsibilities

    • You must be 18 to register your pet.
    • Your dog or cat must be microchipped before it can be registered.
    • Maroondah residents can have up to 2 cats/kittens microchipped free of charge at Animal Aid’s Veterinary Clinic
    • A permit is required to keep more than 2 dogs and/or 2 cats.
    • Your animal must wear its registration tag at all times.
    • Under Council's Local Law 11, while your dog is not on your property, you must always carry a container or plastic bag and clean up and dispose of your dog's faeces.
    • Please give us your mobile telephone number if you have one - this helps us to reunite you with your lost pet.

    Other related information

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