Dog Registration

• Your dog or puppy must be registered with Ipswich City Council within 14 days of:
  • the puppy reaching the age of 12 weeks (3 months)
  • the dog moving into the Ipswich City Council area
  • the dog acquiring a new owner
  • the dog’s registration expired (not cancelled or revoked)
• Introductory registration of a dog is only $20 (current for financial year it commenced only).
• For full registration and renewal fees view Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule and search ‘dog registration (annual fee)’ for current charges.
• If you sell or give away a dog, it must be registered and microchipped beforehand.
• Foster Dogs must be registered by Foster Carers. Foster Dogs from approved Animal Welfare or Foster Organisations are fee exempt.   For full details please see Non-Standard registrations and exemptions.

Ways to register

• Register your dog online.
• Download and complete the Dog Registration Form.
• In person at one of Council’s Customer Service Centres.
• Once registered, you will receive a Registration Certificate and a Registration Tag for your dog's collar.

Transferring from another Council

• If you move into the Ipswich City Council area with a dog registered in another local council area, you are able to transfer the registration (at no cost) to the end of the current financial year.
• A Dog Registration Form is required to be completed and must include a copy of the other Council’s registration certificate.

Transferring within Ipswich City Council

• If you take ownership of a dog that is currently registered with Ipswich City Council, you are able to transfer the registration (at no cost) to the end of the current financial year.
• A Change of Ownership Form is to be completed.

Transferring to another Council

• If you are moving to another Council area with a registered dog, you need to notify Ipswich City Council so we can update your records. You are usually able to transfer the registration (at no cost) to the other Council for the remainder of the registration year.

• When you register your dog, a tag will issued to you (at the time if in person or posted if done online).
• This tag should be put on your dog’s collar so that it is with your dog should they escape or get lost.
• If you lose the tag or it gets damaged, please visit Council or phone (07) 3810 6666 and a new tag will be issued to you free of charge.

Registration discounts

• You can receive a discount on your dog registration fees if:
  • If your dog is desexed (proof of desexing must be provided)
  • If you are a pensioner (proof of current Pension Card must be provided)
  • If you are a current financial member of Dogs Queensland (proof of membership must be provided)
  • if your dog is obedience trained and certified by a recognised training organisation.

Registration refunds

• You can apply for a partial refund on the current year’s registration of your dog if:
  • the dog is deceased (official statement from a veterinarian or statutory declaration must be provided)
  • the dog qualifies for a lower registration, for example, the dog has been desexed (proof must be provided)
• To apply complete the Request for Dog Registration Refund Form.

Foster dogs

• Dogs fostered by volunteer foster carers from Animal Welfare or Foster Organisations are exempt from registration fees in Ipswich for a limited period of time.
• You must still register the dog being fostered by completing a dog registration form and including verification from the Animal Welfare or Foster Organisation confirming the dog is a Foster Dog.
• To be eligible for no charge registration under this section suitable evidence that the dog is a foster dog is required such as confirmation in writing from the Animal Welfare or Foster Organisation.
• Animal Welfare or Foster Organisations will be determined by proof of status as a bona fide charitable or not-for-profit organisation or by acceptance by the General Manager (Planning and Regulatory Services) or relevant Branch Manager or Section Manager that the organisation is a bona fide charitable Animal Welfare Organisation
• Foster Dogs are exempt from the dog registration annual fees for a period of not more than 2 years. The Foster dog registration will commence in the relevant financial year first registered and then expire at the end of one further financial year.

Example: if a Foster dog is registered in April of the 2023-2024 Financial year the registration will be valid until June 2025 being the end of the 2024-2025 financial year.

Guide dogs and assistance dogs

• These dogs are eligible for no charge registration in Ipswich.
• To be eligible for no charge registration under this section, the dog being registered must have completed the Public Access Test and be certified under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009.
• The handler will need to present a handler identification card and confirmation that the dog has passed a Public Access Test conducted by an approved trainer or training institution.

Guard dogs

• Guard dogs must be registered with Ipswich City Council by the owner of the dog/s.
• Dogs that work at premises other than the registered property must also have a permit. A Permit Application must be completed by the company that owns the property where they are working.

Government entity dogs

• This means dogs who work for the Police, Armed Forces or Corrective Services industries
• These dogs are exempt from registration fees in Ipswich
• You must still register your dog by completing a Dog Registration Form and supply a letter (on company letterhead) confirming that you are employed by the Government entity and that the dog is for work purposes.
• Registration for the animal should be linked to the handler and/or property where it will reside.

Greyhound racing dog

• These dogs are exempt from registration fees in Ipswich if they are a registered racing dog with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.
• You must still register your dog by completing a Dog Registration Form and supply confirmation from the Commission of the dog’s racing status.

Regulated dogs

• Regulated dogs can be one of the following:
  • Regulated Menacing Dog
  • Regulated Dangerous Dog
  • Regulated Restricted Dog
• For more information on each of these types see Regulated Dogs and Dog Attacks.
• For a Regulated Menacing Dog and a Regulated Dangerous Dog:
  • Dog must be registered with Ipswich City Council.
  • For the registration fee applicable, refer to Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule and search ‘menacing dog’ or ‘dangerous dog’.
  • Dog must be microchipped and desexed.
  • If moving to Ipswich from another council area, you must transfer your registration to Ipswich City Council within seven days
• For a Regulated Restricted Dog:
• Breeds that are part of this category are determined by State Government legislation.
• Regulated Restricted Dogs are prohibited within the Ipswich local government area.
• To discuss the requirements for keeping a restricted dog, contact council on (07) 3810 6666.
• For issues relating to a regulated dog or to make a complaint to Council, please phone (07) 3810 6666 or email Council@ipswich.qld.gov.au. Council keeps complete and comprehensive records in the event that legal action is taken.  All parties including the complainant and other witnesses may be asked to attend court to provide evidence.  Personal information is only given out when it is directed by law to do so.

• It is important to ensure your dog’s registration details are up to date so that should you get separated, we can reunite you quickly.
• To update either your or your dog’s address – complete the Customer Change of Address Advice Form (ADD).
• To update either your or your dog's details (including notifying council that your dog is deceased or moved out of the council area) — complete the Change of Details Form.
• To transfer ownership of an animal to another person, if you sell or give away the dog — complete the Change of Ownership Form.
• To add or remove a single animal owner (while still retaining at least one existing owner) — complete the Dog Registration Amendment To An Existing Ownership Form.
• Dog has been desexed — complete the Declaration of Desexed Animal Form if your dog gets desexed after initial registration.

Dog Registration

Ipswich City Council will be conducting its annual Systematic Inspection Program for dog registrations in accordance with the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.

Commencing 1 July 2021, authorised officers will conduct door to door visits to properties in the Ipswich region to identify unregistered dogs, providing dog owners with the opportunity to register them.

The objective of the program is to identify unregistered dogs to update Council’s animal register to assist with the delivery of animal management services.

The Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires that all dogs over the age of 3 months be registered within the Local Government in which they are kept.

For further information on the registration process and fees visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au or contact council (07) 3810 6666.