Cats in Australian Capital Territory, Australia: rules and travel
In the ACT all pets must be microchipped and registered, and cats born since 1 July 2022 must be kept on the owner's premises at all times.
The ACT is a single territory government, so these rules apply across Canberra, with extra cat containment suburbs for older cats.
The national rules for Australia apply here too. National rules
Registration and microchip
All cats over 8 weeks must be registered with a one-off fee, then confirm details yearly at no cost. Cats born before 1 July 2022 are no longer free to register. Fee from 1 July 2025: $64.25, or $23.15 for a pension or benefit holder.[1]
typical 64.25 AUD, 23.15 to 64.25 AUD one-off
All cats must be microchipped, at any age, by Domestic Animal Services, RSPCA ACT or a vet.[1]
Keeping rules
Cats born on or after 1 July 2022 must be contained on the owner's premises 24 hours a day across the ACT. Older cats must be contained only in the 17 declared containment suburbs.[1]
Cats must be desexed unless under 3 months old or the keeper holds a permit to keep an entire cat. Vets tattoo the ear on desexing.[1]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- cityservices.act.gov.au/cats (official)