Circulars

20-26 New guidelines for registration agents

Category: Circular to CouncilsStatus: Active
Circular Details: 20-26 / 30 June 2020/ A637765Contact: Program Delivery Team / 02 4428 4100 / olg@olg.nsw.gov.au
Previous Circular: 18-26Attachments: Exercise of Functions Guidelines replaced by new Guidelines for Registration Agents
Who should read this: General Managers / Rangers / Pounds / FinanceAction required: Council to Implement
PDF Version:Council Circular 20-26 – PDF

What’s new or changing?

  • New Guidelines for Registration Agents have been issued and partially replace the Guidelines on the Exercise of Functions under the Companion Animals Act.
  • The Guidelines, issued under clause 13 of the Companion Animals Regulation 2018, outline the mandatory roles and responsibilities of registration agents appointed under the Companion Animals Act 1998.
  • From 1 July 2020 the NSW Government will introduce annual permits for owners of non-desexed cats, restricted dog breeds, and dogs declared to be dangerous.


Key points

  • The new Guidelines partially replace the Guidelines on the Exercise of Functions Guidelines in relation to:
    • identification information (Chapter 4)
    • registration information and fees (Chapter 5)
    • changing the Register (part of Chapter 8)
    • greyhounds and dingoes (part of Chapter 14), and
    • paying and reconciling fees (Chapter 15).
  • The attached table shows which chapters from the Exercise of Functions Guidelines have been replaced by the new Guidelines.
  • The Guidelines reflect the NSW Pet Registry and legislative changes made since 2018.
  • In 2018, the Companion Animals Act 1998 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 were amended by the Companion Animals and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018.
  • Circular 18-26 advised councils about amendments that took effect in 2018.
  • A new requirement for vets to ear-mark or tattoo desexed female cats and dogs took effect on 1 July 2019.
  • The remaining amendments will come into effect from 1 July 2020, including:
    • requiring annual permits for cats that are not de-sexed
    • requiring annual permits for restricted and dangerous dogs.
  • Also from 1 July 2020, a one-off $10 reduction in registration fees for cats will be made together with annual adjustments to reflect the Consumer Price Index.
  • The Guidelines (at 5.5.28) advise that eligible pensioners that buy a pet from an eligible pound or shelter are entitled to access the cheapest registration fee.
  • To the extent that the new Guidelines are inconsistent with the Exercise of Functions Guidelines, registration agents should apply the new Guidelines.

Where to go for further information

Tim Hurst
Deputy Secretary
Local Government, Planning and Policy