Register an assistance animal

How to register an assistance animal, trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of that disability, in NSW.

Registration as an assistance animal does not necessarily provide proof the animal is an assistance animal for entering a public place or public transport.

Register an assistance animal

Step 1.Check you are eligible

You will need to have a letter from your doctor confirming that you have a disability. Disability covers a wide range of physical and psychological conditions and includes:

  • total or partial loss of the bodily or mental functions
  • total or partial loss of a part of the body
  • the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness
  • the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness
  • the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body
  • a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently, OR
  • a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour.

Step 2.Check your animal is eligible

An assistance animal in NSW is a dog or other companion animal that is either:

  • accredited under a law of a State or Territory that provides for the accreditation of animals trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of that disability, OR
  • accredited by an animal training organisation prescribed by the Commonwealth, OR
  • trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of that disability, and, to meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for an animal in a public place. See the public access test standards(PDF, 194KB). A person with a disability has the right to train their own assistance animal so long as he or she can provide proof that that training means the animal meets the definition of an assistance animal.

Contact us

Phone

02 6648 4000

Email

coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au

Location

City of Coffs Harbour
Corner Coffs and Castle Street
Coffs Harbour
View Map
Back to top