Travelling with your dog: What's the law?

6 Sept 2022

With the school holidays fast approaching and Easter just around the corner, many of us want to pack up and take a well-deserved break. I know for us at Bark Control this includes taking our dogs on our holiday.

There’s been a lot of controversy around the ‘right’ way to travel with a pet and it differs from state to state, which makes it tricky for those of us going on an interstate road trip or travelling long distances for work.

Never fear, we have compiled a list of the legislation across this great nation to ensure nobody gets left out of the loop (or fined).

If you are uncertain about meeting the legal requirements for travelling with your dog
just think “is my dog safe, secure and comfortable?”

State	Penalty	Laws
QLD	The maximum penalty is a $35,340 fine or 1 year in jail.	Cage or tether your dog at all times if they travel in the back of utes, tray backs or trucks. This stops a dog from falling out or injuring itself and fulfils your legal obligation to make sure your dog is safe.
NSW	The maximum penalty for an individual is $5500 or 6 months in jail. For a corporation, it is $27,500. Police can also issue on-the-spot fines of $400+ and a possible loss of up to 3 demerit points.	The dog must be restrained so it can’t fall out when travelling in the back of utes, tray backs or trucks. If in a car, the pet cannot sit on your lap. There is no specific reference in the legislation covering the restraint of dogs inside the vehicle but the police can fine you if they feel the dog is distracting the driver.
VIC	The maximum penalty is $1554.60.	The dog must be restrained so it can’t fall out when travelling in the back of utes, tray backs or trucks.
SA	The maximum penalty is $750.	The dog must be restrained so it can’t fall out when travelling in the back of utes, tray backs or trucks.
WA	Penalties range from $2000 - $50,000 and 5 years in jail.	The legislation is vague and says you can be fined if the dog is transported in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm. We recommend following the laws of other states to ensure your dog is safely restrained.
TAS	The maximum penalty for an individual is $15,700 or 1 year in jail. For a corporation, it is $78,500.	The dog must be restrained so it can’t fall out when travelling in the back of utes, tray backs or trucks. Dogs must also be restrained when travelling inside the vehicle.
ACT	The maximum penalty for an individual is $3,000. For a corporation, it is $15,000.	A person must not transport or contain an animal in circumstances under which the animal is subjected to unnecessary injury, pain or suffering. The dog must be restrained so it can’t fall out when travelling in the back of utes, tray backs or trucks.
NT	The Maximum penalty of $23,100 or 18 months in jail.	A person must not transport or contain an animal in circumstances under which the animal is subjected to unnecessary injury, pain or suffering. The dog must be restrained so it can’t fall out when travelling in the back of utes, tray backs or trucks.