Dangerous and Restricted Dog Breeds in Australia
Dog breed restrictions vary by state and territory in Australia. These laws exist to protect public safety, and penalties can apply for non-compliance. Below is a summary of the restricted dog breeds in each state listed.
New South Wales (NSW)
A restricted dog in NSW is any of the following:
American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino (Argentinean Fighting Dog)
Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Fighting Dog)
Any other breed, kind, or description prohibited from importation into Australia under the Customs Act 1901 (e.g., Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario)
Any dog declared restricted by an authorised council officer under Division 6 of the Companion Animals Act 1998
Important: If you own a restricted dog and it attacks or injures a person or another animal (other than vermin) without provocation, you must report it to your local council within 24 hours.
Queensland (QLD)
You must not keep a restricted dog unless you have been issued a restricted dog permit by your local government. Under the Customs Act 1901, the following breeds are restricted:
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Japanese Tosa
American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier
Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
Declared dangerous dogs
Declared menacing dogs
Tasmania (TAS)
Certain breeds have been banned from importation into Australia and are declared restricted in Tasmania:
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Japanese Tosa
American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier
Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
Western Australia (WA)
Special legal requirements apply when owning a dog that is considered dangerous or of a restricted breed in WA. Restricted breeds include:
Dogo Argentino (Argentinean Fighting Dog)
Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Fighting Dog)
Japanese Tosa
American Pit Bull Terrier
Pit Bull Terrier breeds
Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
Any dog that is a crossbreed of these breeds
Victoria (VIC)
Restricted breed dogs are defined according to the Approved Standard for Restricted Breed Dogs in Victoria. These may be purebred or crossbred:
American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier)
Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario)
Dogo Argentino
Japanese Tosa
Fila Brasileiro
Restricted breed dogs in Victoria do not need to have attacked a person or animal or shown aggression to be classified as restricted. However, they are considered a higher risk to community safety than other breeds.
Note: Always check with your local council or state government for the most up-to-date legislation before acquiring or keeping a dog that may be considered a restricted breed.