Assistance dog application

Policy

How to complete the application form

1. Either the applicant and/or guardian/agent are to complete parts 1, 2 and 5.
2. The applicant’s medical practitioner is to complete part 3.
3. The applicant’s veterinarian is to complete part 4.
   All parts of the application form and relevant supporting documents (including electronic photos) are to be submitted to:
   Assistance Dog Applications
   Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
   GPO Box 8349 Perth Business Centre WA 6849
   Email: legislation@dlgsc.wa.gov.au

If you have any further queries about the application or the approval process you can contact the department by telephone on 61 8 6552 1530 or via the email address above.

Please note that:

• any incorrect or misleading statement in this application may result in the immediate cancellation of any assistance dog approval
• original applications and photographs cannot be returned under any circumstances
• incomplete applications, including those without signatures, cannot be processed
• if successful in qualifying for an assistance dog authorisation card, your card will be posted to you.

Cardholder terms and conditions

The following terms and conditions apply:

• An assistance dog approval allows any dog approved under section 8(4) of the Dog Act 1976 to enter any building or place open to or used by the public, for any purpose, or in any public transport. This is subject to any other law of the State or Commonwealth that may prohibit the dog from being present in a certain public place or area.
• The cardholder must carry their assistance dog authorisation card with them at all times when in a public place accompanied by an assistance dog and the card must be produced if requested by an authorised person.
• The assistance dog must be suitable for travelling on public transport, which can be over a long distance with extended travel times. At all times, the assistance dog shall be under the control of the cardholder.
• The cardholder must understand that trains, buses, coaches, shopping centres and other public places could be crowded and noisy for a dog, and the assistance dog must be able to cope with these movements and noise.
• The cardholder will be responsible for any injury, loss or damage however caused, or contributed to, by the assistance dog at any building, place or in any form of public transport.
• The cardholder must ensure that the dog remains on a leash whenever required by law.

Approved assistance dogs, when in a public building, place or transport, must not:

• cause distress or inconvenience to other people by its actions or behaviour
• cause any risk to the health, safety and welfare of any person
• lunge at or bite any person or animal
• disrupt the operations of services
• sit on seats or restrict access to services provided
• block doorways or aisles
• toilet on seats, service areas or in premises or in public transport.