Restricted Dog Breeds in Victoria

Updated 2026-05-13 · VIC state-by-state reference

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Restricted breeds in Victoria

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Perro de Presa Canario

Restricted breed status applies under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Restricted dogs must be desexed, registered, microchipped, muzzled and leashed in public, and kept in a council-approved enclosure with warning signs.

Registration fees and process

Fee: $48–$220/yr (varies by council)

Desexing discount: Most councils give 50% off for desexed dogs (e.g. City of Melbourne: $51 desexed / $153 entire)

Register through Your local council (Agriculture Victoria sets the law, councils enforce + collect). Most VIC owners now complete this online.

Microchipping deadline

Puppies in Victoria must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before the dog changes hands — whichever happens first. Vets and most council pounds offer microchipping for $40–$80. Always confirm the chip number is registered to your name and current address on the national chip registry — a chip registered to a previous owner is functionally useless.

Strata and apartment living

Owners corporations cannot impose blanket pet bans, but the corporation can refuse a specific pet on reasonable grounds (size, noise complaints, etc.).

Renting with a dog in Victoria

Since the 2020 Residential Tenancies Act amendment, tenants may keep a pet with VCAT consent — landlords must apply within 14 days to refuse, citing the actual ground.

What you'd actually budget for your first year

A new puppy in Victoria costs more in the first year than most owners expect. Beyond the purchase price, you're looking at registration ($48–$220/yr), microchipping ($40–$80), C5 vaccinations ($180–$300), desexing ($300–$700 depending on size), council registration, and the first 12 months of food and vet visits.

Pet insurance is the single biggest variable. A serious incident — cruciate surgery, GDV (bloat), snake bite, or a swallowed-object obstruction — can run $4,000–$12,000 in Victoriametropolitan vets. Even high-excess policies pay back their first 6 months of premium with one such claim.

Local council resources

Each VIC council has its own animal management officer, infringement schedule, and off-leash areas. Find your council on the Your local council (Agriculture Victoria sets the law, councils enforce + collect) portal above — local information will always be more current than state-level summaries.

Victoria pet-owner notes

Pet shops in Victoria can only sell dogs sourced from registered rescue groups or pounds — not breeders. This is a stricter regime than every other state.

Compare to other states