In our Budget 2025-26, City of Melbourne committed to providing free pet registration for cats and dogs in the upcoming year. This will apply to next round of registrations, due in April 2026. It’s important to note, although pet registration is free, you must take action to renew your pet’s registration.
Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 External link, it's a legal requirement for every cat and dog over 3 months old to be registered with your local council. This should be done as soon as they reach 3 months of age or you get a new pet. If you live in the City of Melbourne, make sure you register your pet with us. Remember, having your pet microchipped doesn't mean they're registered with us.
The pet registration period runs from 11 April to 10 April every year. You must renew your pet's registration by 10 April each year to avoid penalties.
There are many benefits to pet registration, visit Animal Welfare Victoria External link to learn more.
New rules for cat owners
From 1 October 2025, all cats in the City of Melbourne must be:
- contained to their property between the hours of 6pm and 8am
- desexed
- prohibited from waterways, riverine environments and certain major parks and gardens, unless under effective control by means of a purpose-built carrier, or harness and leash, and in the presence of their owner at all times.
Exemptions to mandatory desexing apply in some circumstances, such as if you are a registered breeder, member of an applicable organisation External link, or if your cat's vet provides a valid medical reason they cannot be desexed.
For more information, visit Responsible pet ownership.
Alternatively, you can download, complete and submit a pet registration application form below (City of Melbourne residents only). If you are trying to renew an existing pet registration, please refer to 'Renew your existing pet registration'.
Renew your existing pet registration
Pet registrations are free for the 2026–27 period, but you still need to renew your registration by 10 April each year.
We’ll send you a renewal notice in early March by post or email, depending on your preference. Once you’ve received your pet’s renewal notice, you will be able to complete an online renewal form that will be added to this webpage in late February. You will need your Animal Reference Number and Tag Number to renew, which will be included on your notice. Please check that your personal details on the notice are correct. You can update details whilst completing the registration renewal form.
Further information on how to renew your pet registration will be available shortly.
Changing to an email renewal notice is not only good for the environment, but it can also help keep your personal details safe. If you'd like to receive your renewal notice via email, please let us know at animal.management@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
Text message reminders and late renewals
If you’ve provided us with your current mobile number, we’ll send you a reminder text when it’s time to renew your pet registration. This will also give you the opportunity to update your details. Although there is no fee for pet registrations for this renewal cycle, pet owners still need to renew. Owners who do not renew their pet’s registration by the due date are liable for an $18 late renewal fee for each animal and may receive infringement notices.
Registration and renewal fees 2026–27
In our Budget 2025-26, City of Melbourne committed to providing free pet registration for cats and dogs during the 2026-27 registration period.
Dogs
| Fee type | Fee | Concession fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduced | $0 | $0 | Any one or combination of the following:
Proof must be provided for all criteria. |
| Full | $0 | $0 |
|
| Other | $0 | N/A |
No concession applies. Please note: You must declare if your dog is a restricted breed as defined by the Domestic Animals Act 1994 External link. Restricted breeds include:
|
| Guide dogs, assistance dogs and State/Commonwealth Government dogs | $0 | N/A |
|
| Transfer from another council | Waived for the remainder of the current registration period (ending 10 April) | Waived for the remainder of the current registration period (ending 10 April) | Your dog is currently registered with another Victorian Council. Registration fee will be waived for the remainder of the current registration period only (ending 10 April) Proof must be provided for all criteria (a renewal notice will not be accepted as proof). |
| Foster carer | $0 | N/A | Enrolled as a foster carer with the City of Melbourne. |
| Late fee | Late fee may apply | N/A | Applied to each animal after 10 May each year. |
From 1 October 2025, all cats in the City of Melbourne must be desexed unless a relevant exemption under section 10B of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 External link applies. Proof of desexing must be provided when applying to register.
In our Budget 2025-26, City of Melbourne committed to providing free pet registration for cats and dogs during the 2026-27 registration period.
Cats
| Fee type | Fee | Concession fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduced | $0 | $0 | All cats registered with City of Melbourne must be desexed unless a valid exemption applies. One of the following applies to your cat:
Proof must be provided for all criteria. |
| Full | $0 | $0 | All cats registered with City of Melbourne must be desexed unless a valid exemption applies. Select if:
|
| Transfer from another council | N/A | N/A | Your cat is desexed and is registered with another Victorian Council (a renewal notice will not be accepted as proof). Proof must be provided for all criteria. Registration fee will be waived for the remainder of the current registration period only. |
| Foster carer | $0 | N.A | Enrolled as a foster carer with the City of Melbourne. |
| Late fee | Late fee may apply | N/A | Applied to each animal after 10 May each year. |
In our Budget 2025-26, City of Melbourne committed to providing free pet registration for cats and dogs during the 2026-27 registration period.
The concession fee entitlement only applies to holders of:
- Pension Concession Card
- Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card specifying TPI or War Widow.
Health care and concession cards are not accepted.
In our Budget 2025-26, City of Melbourne committed to providing free pet registration for cats and dogs during the 2026-27 registration period.
If you are fostering an animal from a shelter or a pound and have a written foster care agreement, you do not need to register this animal with Council.
If you are fostering from a rescue group, community foster care network, or any other pet rehoming organisation, you are required to register that animal with Council. If you register as a foster carer with Council you can receive a reduced registration fee. You can contact us at animal.management@melbourne.vic.gov.au for further information.
Find out more about the Foster Carer Registration Scheme External link.
When you register your pet for the first time, we'll send you a lifetime plastic registration tag. Please attach this to their collar so we can reunite you both in the unfortunate event they become lost. If you'd like to change collars, we recommend affixing the tag to a split ring. This way you can change collars when needed.
Metal registration discs
We also have metal registration tags available that can be engraved with your pet's name and your contact details. To receive your free metal registration tag, simply complete our responsible pet ownership quiz.
Request a replacement tag
Our pet registration tags are for life, so you won't receive a new one each year.
If you've lost your registration tag or can no longer read the numbers clearly, you can request a replacement free of charge, and we'll send you a replacement.
You can update your pet registration details online. Use this form to let us know if:
- you've moved address
- your contact details have changed
- you no longer have your pet.
Please include your pet's animal reference number or pet registration tag number.
It is also important to keep your pet's microchip details up to date if your details change. Visit Pet Address External link if you have forgotten which microchip registration company your pet is listed with.
Due to extra legal requirements, these dogs can't be registered the same way ordinary dogs can be. Each application is considered by the City of Melbourne before being accepted.
If you would like to register one of these dogs you must complete a registration application form (above) and return it dropping off the form in person. You cannot apply to register these dogs online.
More information from Victorian Government
