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Department of Premier and Cabinet

Microchipping exemptions for dogs

All dogs must be registered with your council.

Racing greyhounds

A racing greyhound born before 1 January 2011 does not need to be microchipped.

Racing greyhounds are greyhounds registered with the Office of Racing Integrity.

If a registered racing greyhound stops racing and is rehomed it will need to be microchipped.

Working dogs

Working dogs do not need to be microchipped.

The law states a working dog is a dog that is mostly used for:

  • droving or tending livestock or
  • detecting illegal substances or
  • searching, tracking or rescuing or
  • working with police officers

Hunting dogs

Since 1 February 2013, all hunting dogs older than 12 months must be microchipped.

A hunting dog is a dog that is mostly used for hunting.

The only exemption for microchipping a hunting dog is when:

  1. the hunting dog is a member of the:
  • North West Hound Owners Association OR
  • Tasmanian Field and Game Association

AND

  1. the hunting dog has been tattooed by one of the organisations above

AND

  1. the hunting dog:
  • is less than 12 months old or
  • was born before 1 February 2013

All other hunting dogs must be microchipped.

Publications and resources

Dog Control Order 2011