It’s a Queensland Government law that all dogs must be registered from 12 weeks of age, or after 14 days of coming into the city to live.
Dogs must be microchipped before 12 weeks of age and wear a dog registration tag at all times in public.
Registration comes with many benefits for pet owners. Registration fees contribute to:
- delivery of new off leash areas
- dog bag dispensers
- lost and found services
- pet education programs for the community
- City pounds operations
- animal management services
- free replacement registration tags.
How much dog registration costs
- Registration is free for dogs under 12 months of age (valid to 31 August 2026).
- Registration is free for seniors (60 years +) and veterans for the first two desexed dogs only.
- Discounted fees apply for desexed dogs, association members and 3-year registration. This discount is only available for the first two dogs – additional dogs require a permit application and will be charged at the nominal rate.
- When you register a new dog you will be charged a pro rata fee from the date of registration until 31 August.
Change of ownership
If you wish to transfer ownership of an already registered dog, the previous owner must first cancel their registration with us before you can apply for a new dog registration.
New to the Gold Coast?
If your dog is registered with Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland or Scenic Rim Councils, we offer reciprocal registrations up to 31 August, after which you must register your dog with City of Gold Coast.
Find out about the types of registration classes
Desexed/sterilised dog
We offer discounted registration for desexed/sterilised dogs.
To receive the discount, you must provide evidence that your dog has been desexed/sterilised. You can provide any one of the following:
- copy of the vet's desexing/sterilisation certificate
- copy of a previous registration paper from another local government area which states the dog is desexed/sterilised
- a letter from a veterinary surgeon who has sighted the dog is desexed/sterilised
- Statutory Declaration witnessed by a Commissioner for Declarations or Justice of the Peace stating the dog is desexed/sterilised.
Entire dog
An entire dog is a dog that has not been desexed/sterilised.
Dogs under one year
Owners of dogs under one year of age may apply for fee relief for dog registration.
Council offers a one off nil fee registration for dogs under 12 months. This reduced registration is only available for the initial registration of the dog and is for the current registration period (to 31 August 2026).
Dogs Queensland
We offer discounted registration to dogs owned by current members of endorsed association, Dogs Queensland.
To apply for the discount, you must show us your current membership card.
Dangerous or menacing dogs
If we have declared your dog is either dangerous or menacing, you will need to pay an increased registration fee and comply with specific keeping conditions.
Dangerous or menacing dog declarations from a previous local authority will need the application for registration submitted in person and will be assessed by an authorised officer.
Pensioner concessions do not apply.
Assistance dogs
If you own a guide, hearing, therapy or assistance dog, you do not need to pay a dog registration fee (subject to approval). You must still register and microchip your dog, but the registration fee is nil if your application is approved.
To receive free registration for an assistance dog:
- your dog must be defined as an assistance animal under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- you must ensure that your dog's behaviour meets the standards required for an assistance dog in a public place
- you must provide one of the options below:
- proof of certification, i.e. identity card for handlers, trainers and puppy carers
- a letter from a medical practitioner confirming the person’s disability and that the animal alleviates the effect of the disability; and a statutory declaration stating the dog is trained to assist with the owner’s disability.
Pensioner concession
If you hold a current Queensland issued Pensioner Concession Card you may be eligible for a concession of half the prescribed fee. This concession is for the first two dogs only. You will need to provide proof of benefits.
Consent may be required for Council to confirm your eligibility for this concession with Services Australia.
If you have a permit for additional dogs, the third and subsequent dogs will be charged at the nominal rate for the registration class.
Senior and veteran fee relief
Owners of desexed/sterilised dogs may apply for fee relief for dog registrations if the owner is 60 years of age or over, or a veteran. This will reduce the registration fee to nil. This relief will apply to the first two desexed/sterilised dogs only (and excludes any declared as menacing or dangerous). All other dogs registered will be at the nominal rate for the registration class.
Prohibited breeds
The following breeds of dogs are prohibited from being kept in the City of Gold Coast:
- American Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier types or cross breeds of an American Pit Bull Terrier
- Dogo Argentino or cross breeds of a Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro or cross breeds of a Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa or cross breeds of a Japanese Tosa
- Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario or cross breeds of a Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.
Register your dog using one of the options below.