Q: NSW

When to register: By 12 weeks of age, or upon transfer of ownership. Renewal frequency: Lifetime (One-off fee) Key differences & notes: NSW utilises a centralised system called the NSW Pet Registry (which also somewhat confusingly handles microchip registration). Council registration is a one-off payment that lasts for the cat's life, though an annual permit fee will apply if you do not desex your cat by 4 months of age. 1 Council tag? No, but the Companion Animals Act requires cats to wear a collar with a tag that displays their name, your address, or your phone number when outside your property. See the Office of Local Government page for more information.

Q: VIC

When to register: By 12 weeks of age. Renewal frequency: Annual (Due by April 10 each year) Key differences & notes: Some councils require cats to be desexed prior to registration, and discounts on the annual fee apply for desexed cats. Council tag? Cats must wear their council-issued tag when outside their premises. 2 See the Legal requirements for cat owners page and the Agriculture Victoria Animal Welfare page for more information.

Q: WA

When to register: By 6 months of age. Renewal frequency: Flexible Key differences & notes: Cats are also required to be desexed by 6 months of age. Local council registration with 1-year, 3-year or lifetime options. Council tag? Yes, cats must wear their council-issued registration tag. 4 See the Laws for Cat Owners page , or your local council website for more information.

Q: SA

When to register: By 3 months of age. Renewal frequency: Annual Key differences & notes: Registration is handled through Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) . Microchip implanters must create a record of the microchip within 5 days of the procedure, then the owner must log in to complete registration. Most SA councils don't charge a cat registration fee. 5 Council tag? No, though a collar and ID tag with the owners contact details are highly recommended. See the SA Dog and Cat Management Board website for more information.

Q: ACT

When to register: By 8 weeks of age, or once residing in the ACT for 28 days. Renewal frequency: Annual (but registration fee is only paid once - annual renewals are free). Key differences & notes: The ACT requires a one-time initial registration fee. After that, pet parents must complete an annual renewal to confirm their contact details remain accurate, which is completely free of charge. Cats must be desexed by 3 months of age (unless exempt). All cats in the ACT born after 1 July 2022 must be contained on your property. A number of suburbs have also been declared cat containment areas for nature conservation reasons. This means all cats in these areas, regardless of age, must be contained. 6 Council tag? No, but cats must wear identification so that they can be returned to their owner if found. Cats can be identified by a collar and tag that includes the owner's contact number or address. See the ACT Government website for more information.

Question 1

NSW

Accepted Answer

When to register: By 12 weeks of age, or upon transfer of ownership.

Renewal frequency: Lifetime (One-off fee)

Key differences & notes: NSW utilises a centralised system called the NSW Pet Registry (which also somewhat confusingly handles microchip registration). Council registration is a one-off payment that lasts for the cat's life, though an annual permit fee will apply if you do not desex your cat by 4 months of age.¹

Council tag? No, but the Companion Animals Act requires cats to wear a collar with a tag that displays their name, your address, or your phone number when outside your property.

See the Office of Local Government page for more information.

Question 2

VIC

Accepted Answer

When to register: By 12 weeks of age.

Renewal frequency: Annual (Due by April 10 each year)

Key differences & notes: Some councils require cats to be desexed prior to registration, and discounts on the annual fee apply for desexed cats.

Council tag? Cats must wear their council-issued tag when outside their premises.²

See the Legal requirements for cat owners page and the Agriculture Victoria Animal Welfare page for more information.

Question 3

QLD

Accepted Answer

Queensland's cat rules are set by each local council under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, which is why they vary so much.³ For example,

Brisbane City Council does not require you to register your cat. You do, however, need a permit if you want to keep four or more cats.
Most other Queensland councils do require cat registration, often with a generous discount for desexed cats and sometimes a lifetime option.

Microchipping is mandatory for all cats by 12 weeks of age right across Queensland, regardless of where you live.

See the Laws for Pet Owners in Queensland page for more information.

Question 4

WA

Accepted Answer

When to register: By 6 months of age.

Renewal frequency: Flexible

Key differences & notes: Cats are also required to be desexed by 6 months of age. Local council registration with 1-year, 3-year or lifetime options.

Council tag? Yes, cats must wear their council-issued registration tag.⁴

See the Laws for Cat Owners page, or your local council website for more information.

Question 5

SA

Accepted Answer

When to register: By 3 months of age.

Renewal frequency: Annual

Key differences & notes: Registration is handled through Dogs and Cats Online (DACO). Microchip implanters must create a record of the microchip within 5 days of the procedure, then the owner must log in to complete registration. Most SA councils don't charge a cat registration fee.⁵

Council tag? No, though a collar and ID tag with the owners contact details are highly recommended.

See the SA Dog and Cat Management Board website for more information.

Question 6

ACT

Accepted Answer

When to register: By 8 weeks of age, or once residing in the ACT for 28 days.

Renewal frequency: Annual (but registration fee is only paid once - annual renewals are free).

Key differences & notes: The ACT requires a one-time initial registration fee. After that, pet parents must complete an annual renewal to confirm their contact details remain accurate, which is completely free of charge. Cats must be desexed by 3 months of age (unless exempt). All cats in the ACT born after 1 July 2022 must be contained on your property. A number of suburbs have also been declared cat containment areas for nature conservation reasons. This means all cats in these areas, regardless of age, must be contained.⁶

Council tag? No, but cats must wear identification so that they can be returned to their owner if found. Cats can be identified by a collar and tag that includes the owner's contact number or address.

See the ACT Government website for more information.

Question 7

TAS

Accepted Answer

The Cat Management Act 2009 does not require cats to be registered in Tasmania.⁷

Municipal councils may however, choose to require registration of cats within their municipality, so it's best to check with your local council.

Under the Act, all cats over four months must be microchipped and desexed (a vet can certify an exemption for health reasons).

See the Tasmanian Government Breeding, Selling and Buying Cats page for more information.

Question 8

NT

Accepted Answer

The NT doesn't have a territory-wide registration scheme. NT councils set their own rules, for example:

In the City of Darwin, you must register your cat by 3 months of age or if they've been in the municipality for three months or longer. Renewal is due every year by 1 September, and microchipping is compulsory as part of registration.⁸
Alice Springs Town Council require registration of cats by 6 months of age, with annual of lifetime registration options.⁹

Other NT councils set their own rules, so check yours directly.

Question 9

What if my cat never goes outside?

Accepted Answer

You still need to register them in states where it's required. Registration is about legal ownership and identification, not how often your cat goes outdoors. And even strictly indoor cats can slip out an open door, so a chip and a registration is what gets them back.

Question 10

Do I need to register my cat every year?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the state. NSW and the ACT use a one-off lifetime fee. Victoria, Darwin and most Queensland councils renew annually. WA gives you a choice of one-year, three-year or lifetime.

Question 11

Does my cat need to be desexed before I register?

Accepted Answer

In Victoria, WA, the ACT and Tasmania, yes. In NSW and several Queensland councils, you can register an undesexed cat but you'll pay a higher fee (and in NSW, an additional annual permit fee on top).

Question 12

What is the difference between a microchip registry and council registration?

Accepted Answer

A microchip registry is a permanent, nationwide or state-based database that links your cat's unique implanted chip number to your contact details. Council registration is a separate local government record showing that you have paid the required local fees (if required) and met area-specific ownership laws.

Council Registration for Cats in Australia: A State-by-State Guide

Key points

In this article

What is council registration?

How is cat council registration different to microchipping?

Council registration for cats rules by state

What happens when you move interstate or local council areas with a cat?

Why do councils charge a registration fee for cats?

Cat Council Registration FAQs

What if my cat never goes outside?

Do I need to register my cat every year?

Does my cat need to be desexed before I register?

What is the difference between a microchip registry and council registration?

References

Articles recommended for you

The Benefits of Fresh Dog Food

Flea, Tick & Worm Control: A Vet's Guide for Pet Owners

Setting Up A Fish Tank

Horse Feeding Guide

How to Calm an Anxious Pet

History

Tue 26 May 2026

About the Author

Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)

Customer Care

About Pet Circle

Caring For Your Pet