Most dogs must be microchipped by six months of age. The following exemptions apply in limited circumstances:
Working dogs
Dogs whose primary, day-to-day role is one of the following are exempt from microchipping:
- droving or tending livestock
- detecting illegal substances
- searching, tracking or rescuing
- working with police officers.
This exemption is based on the dog’s main function. A dog kept primarily as a pet (even on a farm) must be microchipped.
Veterinary exemption
A registered vet may issue an official certificate exempting a dog from microchipping if the procedure would be harmful to the dog’s health or welfare.
Hunting dogs
Some hunting dogs may temporarily use a tattoo instead of a microchip until they reach 1 year old, if all of the following apply:
- the dog is less than 12 months old
- the tattoo was applied by an approved organisation (currently the North West Hound Owners Association or the Tasmanian Field and Game Association)
- the tattoo is the organisation’s official mark.
Once the dog turns 1 year old, the dog must be microchipped.
Racing greyhounds
Racing greyhounds must be microchipped by six months of age. An exemption previously applied to greyhounds born before 1 January 2011 that were still actively registered for racing. This no longer applies to new registrations.
