An Assistance Animal has legally protected Public Access Rights.
It is illegal and/or unlawful to deny or prevent entry, except in certain, limited circumstances.
An Assistance Animal is any animal that is specially trained to support a person with a disability by performing specific tasks that help them manage daily life. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance animals have protected rights to accompany their handlers in places where pets are prohibited. Assistance Animals meet high standards of hygiene and behaviour.
It is unlawful for recreational facilities (including staff and security) to refuse access to an Assistance Animal in most circumstances.
It is considered best practice to accommodate the Assistance Animal where possible, and make alternative arrangements as needed. For example, a handler riding a roller coaster may be offered an alternative location to leave their Assistance Animal whilst they are on the ride. The same would be true during use of a swimming pool.
Establishments may include:
- Theme park
- National park
- Sporting ground
- Clubs
- Event venue
- Swimming pools
- Other places accessible by members of the public
Assistance Animals are excluded from entering food preparation areas (e.g. club kitchen).
Remember that it is unlawful and/or illegal to:
- Bypass, ignore, refuse or defer an application for entry due to an Assistance Animal.
- Place terms or conditions on a person due to them having an Assistance Animal.
- Require the payment of a pet deposit for an Assistance Animal.
- Require that an Assistance Animal be left outside, at home or only allowed within a certain areas of the premises.
- Deny the use of visitor benefits, such as use of a pool, due to presence of an Assistance Animal.
- Apply bylaws or policies prohibiting pets.
- Refuse access to services due to the Assistance Animal.
- Harass, victimise or subject a handler to detriment due to having an Assistance Animal.
- Prevent the handler making minor or temporary adjustments to the property to accommodate an Assistance Animal, or to require that they seek prior approval. For example, allowing the animal to drink water.
- Require that an Assistance Animal is registered under state/territory law.
There is no legal requirement for handlers to request permission for an Assistance Animal to accompany them.
Handlers remain responsible for any damages caused by the Assistance Animal.
For further information and direct access to Australian law, please scan the QR Code.
An Assistance Animal has legally protected Public Access Rights.
It is illegal and/or unlawful to deny or prevent entry, except in certain, limited circumstances.
An Assistance Animal is any animal that is specially trained to support a person with a disability by performing specific tasks that help them manage daily life. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance animals have protected rights to accompany their handlers in places where pets are prohibited. Assistance Animals meet high standards of hygiene and behaviour.
It is unlawful for a medical facility (including staff and security) to refuse access to an Assistance Animal in most circumstances.
Establishments may include:
- General practitioner (GP) offices
- Allied health professionals and facilities, such as speech pathology, psychology or occupational therapy
- Medical professionals and practitioners, such as surgeons and specialists
- Mental health centres, such as counsellors
- Dentists
- Hospitals
- Medical centres
- Urgent care clinics
- Maternal health clinics
- Rehabilitation centres
- Imaging centres e.g. x-ray
- Pathology centres e.g. blood collection
- Pharmacies and chemists
- Palliative care and hospice
- Long-term care facilities
- Other medical facilities accessible by members of the public
Assistance Animals are excluded from entering sterile surgical suites (e.g. operating theatres), quarantine areas (e.g. infectious disease ward) and safety exclusion zones (e.g. radiation area). Assistance Animals are also excluded from entering food preparation areas, such as a hospital kitchen/
Remember that it is unlawful and/or illegal to:
- Bypass, ignore, refuse or defer an application for an appointment due to an Assistance Animal.
- Place terms or conditions on a patient due to them having an Assistance Animal.
- Require the payment of a pet deposit for an Assistance Animal.
- Require that an Assistance Animal be left outside, at home or only within a certain areas of the premises.
- Deny the use of medical benefits, such as use of dental vouchers, due to presence of an Assistance Animal.
- Apply bylaws or policies prohibiting pets.
- Refuse access to medical services due to the Assistance Animal.
- Harass, victimise or subject a patient to detriment due to having an Assistance Animal.
- Prevent the handler making minor or temporary adjustments to the property to accommodate an Assistance Animal, or to require that they seek prior approval. For example, allowing the animal to drink water.
- Require that an Assistance Animal is registered under state/territory law.
There is no legal requirement for handlers to request permission for an Assistance Animal to accompany them.
Handlers remain responsible for any damages caused by the Assistance Animal.
For further information and direct access to Australian law, please scan the QR Code.
An Assistance Animal has legally protected Public Access Rights.
It is illegal and/or unlawful to deny or prevent entry, except in certain, limited circumstances.
An Assistance Animal is any animal that is specially trained to support a person with a disability by performing specific tasks that help them manage daily life. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance animals have protected rights to accompany their handlers in places where pets are prohibited. Assistance Animals meet high standards of hygiene and behaviour.
It is unlawful for a hospitality proprietor (including staff and security) to refuse access to an Assistance Animal in most circumstances.
Establishments may include:
- Cafes
- Restaurants
- Pubs
- Bars and clubs
- Distilleries, breweries and wineries
- Food courts and markets
- Food trucks
- Banquet halls and event venues
- Supermarkets
- Delis, fishmongers and butchers
- Other venues open to the general public
Assistance Animals excluded from entering food preparation areas, such as a restaurant kitchen or a student meal kitchen.
Remember that it is unlawful and/or illegal to:
- Bypass, ignore, refuse or defer an application for membership due to an Assistance Animal.
- Place terms or conditions on a patron due to them having an Assistance Animal.
- Require the payment of a pet deposit for an Assistance Animal.
- Require that an Assistance Animal be left outside or only within a certain areas of the premises.
- Deny the use of hospitality-related benefits, such as use of a club gym or pool, due to presence of an Assistance Animal.
- Apply bylaws or policies prohibiting pets.
- Refuse the sale of food, table service or use of facilities.
- Harass, victimise or subject a patron to detriment due to having an Assistance Animal.
- Prevent the handler making minor or temporary adjustments to the property to accommodate an Assistance Animal, or to require that they seek prior approval. For example, allowing the animal to drink water.
- Require that an Assistance Animal is registered under state/territory law.
There is no legal requirement for handlers to request permission for an Assistance Animal to accompany them.
Handlers remain responsible for any damages caused by the Assistance Animal.
For further information and direct access to Australian law, please scan the QR Code.
An Assistance Animal has legally protected Public Access Rights.
It is illegal and/or unlawful to deny or prevent entry, except in certain, limited circumstances.
An Assistance Animal is any animal that is specially trained to support a person with a disability by performing specific tasks that help them manage daily life. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance animals have protected rights to accompany their handlers in places where pets are prohibited. Assistance Animals meet high standards of hygiene and behaviour.
It is unlawful for an employer (including staff and security) to refuse access to an Assistance Animal in most circumstances.
It is considered best practice to accommodate the Assistance Animal where possible, and make alternative arrangements as needed. For example, a staff member undertaking research in a sterile laboratory may be offered an alternative location to leave their Assistance Animal whilst they are in attendance.
Assistance Animals are excluded from entering food preparation areas, such as a staff kitchen. They are also excluded from entering quarantine areas (e.g. a laboratory containing infectious disease) and safety exclusion zones (e.g. radiation area).
The following applies to both employees and contractors, and extends to unions and associations.
Remember that it is unlawful and/or illegal to:
- Bypass, ignore, refuse or defer an application for employment due to an Assistance Animal.
- Refuse to extend, revoke or withdraw offers or employment or promotion due to the Assistance Animal.
- Deliberately develop a candidate or training assessment do exclude a person with an Assistance Animal.
- Place terms or conditions on a person due to them having an Assistance Animal.
- Require the payment of a pet deposit for an Assistance Animal.
- Require that an Assistance Animal be left outside, at home or only within a certain areas of the premises.
- Deny the use of staff benefits, such as use of a gym or pool, due to presence of an Assistance Animal.
- Apply bylaws or policies prohibiting pets.
- Refuse access to staff services due to the Assistance Animal.
- Harass, victimise or subject a person to detriment them due to having an Assistance Animal.
- Prevent the handler making minor or temporary adjustments to the property to accommodate an Assistance Animal, or to require that they seek prior approval. For example, allowing the animal to drink water.
- Require that an Assistance Animal is registered under state/territory law.
There is no legal requirement for handlers to request permission for an Assistance Animal to accompany them.
Handlers remain responsible for any damages caused by the Assistance Animal.
For further information and direct access to Australian law, please scan the QR Code.
An Assistance Animal has legally protected Public Access Rights.
It is illegal and/or unlawful to deny or prevent entry, except in certain, limited circumstances.
An Assistance Animal is any animal that is specially trained to support a person with a disability by performing specific tasks that help them manage daily life. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance animals have protected rights to accompany their handlers in places where pets are prohibited. Assistance Animals meet high standards of hygiene and behaviour.
It is unlawful for an educational institute (including staff and security) to refuse access to an Assistance Animal in most circumstances.
It is considered best practice to accommodate the Assistance Animal where possible and make alternative arrangements as needed. For example, a student undertaking a postgraduate biochemistry course in a sterile laboratory may be offered an alternative location to leave their Assistance Animal whilst they are in attendance.
Where the handler is a student under 16 years of age, a Secondary or Alternate Handler should be appointed to support the Primary Handler in caring for and working with their Assistance Animal.
Establishments may include:
- Childcare centre
- Pre-school
- Primary or high school
- Public or private school
- After-school care provider
- University
- Registered training organisation (RTO), such as TAFE
- Museum or science centre
- Language schools
- Special education centres
- Art, music and dance schools
- Religious schools and seminaries
- Tuition centres
- Other educational institutes accessible by members of the public
Assistance Animals are excluded from entering food preparation areas, such as a university student kitchen. They are also excluded from entering quarantine areas (e.g. a laboratory containing infectious disease) and safety exclusion zones (e.g. radiation area).
Remember that it is unlawful and/or illegal to:
- Bypass, ignore, refuse or defer an application for study due to an Assistance Animal.
- Refuse to extend, revoke or withdraw qualifications due to the Assistance Animal.
- Deliberately develop a curriculum or assessment do exclude a student with an Assistance Animal.
- Place terms or conditions on a student due to them having an Assistance Animal.
- Require the payment of a pet deposit for an Assistance Animal.
- Require that an Assistance Animal be left outside, at home or only within a certain areas of the premises.
- Deny the use of student benefits, such as use of a student gym, due to presence of an Assistance Animal.
- Apply bylaws or policies prohibiting pets.
- Refuse access to educational services due to the Assistance Animal.
- Harass, victimise or subject a student to detriment due to having an Assistance Animal.
- Prevent the handler making minor or temporary adjustments to the property to accommodate an Assistance Animal, or to require that they seek prior approval. For example, allowing the animal to drink water.
- Require that an Assistance Animal is registered under state/territory law.
There is no legal requirement for handlers to request permission for an Assistance Animal to accompany them.
Handlers remain responsible for any damages caused by the Assistance Animal.
For further information and direct access to Australian law, please scan the QR Code.
An Assistance Animal has legally protected Public Access Rights.
It is illegal and/or unlawful to deny or prevent entry, except in certain, limited circumstances.
An Assistance Animal is any animal that is specially trained to support a person with a disability by performing specific tasks that help them manage daily life. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance animals have protected rights to accompany their handlers in places where pets are prohibited. Assistance Animals meet high standards of hygiene and behaviour.
It is unlawful for an animal care facility (including staff and security) to refuse access to an Assistance Animal in most circumstances. However, such establishments are able to require proof of hygiene (e.g. vaccination) and behaviour prior to entry.
Establishments may include:
- Zoos and captive animal facilities
- Circuses
- Veterinary clinics
- Aquarium and marine park
- Boarding kennel or cattery
- Agriculture zone at a school or university
- Farm sanctuary
- Equestrian centres
- Wildlife clinics
- Working farms
- Pounds and shelters
- Animal foster carers
- Quarantine facilities
- Research laboratories
- Pet shops
- Other places accessible by members of the public
Assistance Animals are excluded from entering quarantine areas (e.g. a working poultry farm), sterile surgical suites (e.g. research laboratory, veterinary operating theatre) and food preparation areas (e.g. zoo kitchen). T
he type of facility will determine what protocols may be necessary to allow the Assistance Animal to safely attend. For example, zoos may require proof of vaccination.
Remember that it is unlawful and/or illegal to:
- Bypass, ignore, refuse or defer an application for entry due to an Assistance Animal.
- Place terms or conditions on a person due to them having an Assistance Animal.
- Require the payment of a pet deposit for an Assistance Animal.
- Require that an Assistance Animal be left outside, at home, transported in a certain way or only allowed within a certain areas of the premises.
- Deny the use of visitor benefits, such as use of a pool, due to presence of an Assistance Animal.
- Apply bylaws or policies prohibiting pets.
- Refuse access to services due to the Assistance Animal.
- Harass, victimise or subject a handler to detriment due to having an Assistance Animal.
- Prevent the handler making minor or temporary adjustments to the property to accommodate an Assistance Animal, or to require that they seek prior approval. For example, allowing the animal to drink water.
- Require that an Assistance Animal is registered under state/territory law.
There is no legal requirement for handlers to request permission for an Assistance Animal to accompany them.
Handlers remain responsible for any damages caused by the Assistance Animal.
For further information and direct access to Australian law, please scan the QR Code.
An Assistance Animal has legally protected Public Access Rights.
It is illegal and/or unlawful to deny or prevent entry, except in certain, limited circumstances.
An Assistance Animal is any animal that is specially trained to support a person with a disability by performing specific tasks that help them manage daily life. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance animals have protected rights to accompany their handlers in places where pets are prohibited. Assistance Animals meet high standards of hygiene and behaviour.
It is unlawful for an accommodation proprietor (including landlords and real estate agents) to refuse access to an Assistance Animal in most circumstances.
Establishments may include:
- Private rentals
- Public housing
- Hotels, motels and serviced apartments
- Caravan parks and camp grounds
- AriBnB
- Hostels and backpacker lodges
- Boarding houses
- Bed and breakfast establishments
- Retirement villages and aged care facilities
- Disability accommodation
- Crisis and transitional housing
- Student accommodation
- Other forms of accommodation open to the general public
Remember that it is unlawful and/or illegal to:
- Bypass, ignore, refuse or defer an application for accommodation due to an Assistance Animal.
- Place terms or conditions on a patron due to them having an Assistance Animal.
- Require the payment of a pet deposit for an Assistance Animal.
- Require that an Assistance Animal be left outside or only within a certain area of the premises.
- Deny the use of accommodation-related benefits, such as use of a hotel gym or pool, due to presence of an Assistance Animal.
- Apply bylaws or policies prohibiting pets.
- Harass, victimise, subject a resident to detriment or evict them due to having an Assistance Animal.
- Prevent the handler making minor or temporary adjustments to the property to accommodate an Assistance Animal, or to require that they seek prior approval. For example, erecting a temporary fence.
- Require that an Assistance Animal is registered under state/territory law.
There is no legal requirement for handlers to request permission for an Assistance Animal to accompany them.
Handlers remain responsible for any damages caused by the Assistance Animal.
For further information and direct access to Australian law, please scan the QR Code.
