Travelling with an assistance dog

• You and your assistance dog
• Your assistance dog and planes
• Travelling overseas with your assistance dog.

You and your assistance dog

Your assistance dog is specially trained to help you and can legally accompany you into most public places including:

• hotels
• beaches
• restaurants
• theme parks.

Your assistance dog can also travel with you:

• on public transport 
• on planes
• in taxis.

Be prepared to show proof of your assistance dog's training and registration. Carry:

• a recognised assistance dog ID card or documentation when you check in or board any transport or go to a public place
• documentation that your dog is trained to alleviate the effect of your disability and meets standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place.

You may need to show how your dog helps ease the impact of your disability.

Your assistance dog and planes

Virgin Australia—You need to book through Virgin Australia's Customer Contact Centre. Online discounts will be honoured.

Jetstar—You can book online or telephone Jetstar Reservations on 13 15 38.

Qantas—If you book online you must still phone Qantas on 13 13 13 and let the airline know you will be travelling with an assistance dog.

Travelling overseas with your assistance dog

If you're planning a trip overseas and will be taking your assistance dog, you should first talk to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Live Animal Imports Program:

Phone: 02 6272 4454 (9.00am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4.30pm, Monday–Friday)

Email: animallive@aqis.gov.au 

Fax: 02 62723110

Dogs are only allowed to be brought into Australia from certain AQIS-approved countries. This rule applies to all dogs, including those that originated in Australia.

AQIS will be able to advise if the country you travelling to is AQIS approved. Just as you need a passport and visas, your assistance dog needs official documents, including export and import permits to travel. Your assistance dog will also need to be prepared by an AQIS-registered vet before leaving Australia.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website explains what you need to do when taking your assistance dog out of Australia—and when returning home.