Draft Policy on Assistance Animals in Council Places

About the draft policy

The Draft Policy on Assistance Animal in Council Places sets out clear and fair rules that support people who use assistance animals in Council places. It also makes sure these places stay safe, clean and welcoming for everyone.

The draft policy was developed in collaboration with Australian Disability Network, peak disability organisations and community members with lived experience.

This draft policy explains:

• What an assistance animal is
• Where they are allowed
• The responsibilities of the handler
• How Council staff can check access rights
• How Council will support safe and inclusive spaces.

The policy applies to Council places that are open to the public and where pets are not permitted, like:

• Parks, bushland reserves and beaches
• Libraries
• Sports and aquatic venues
• Community facilities like Auditoria, Civic Centres and halls
• Cultural facilities such as the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre and the Tweed Regional Museum
• Tweed Holiday Parks and campgrounds
  

What is an assistance animal?

According to the draft policy, an assistance animal is a trained dog that assists a person with disability, by performing identifiable tasks that help manage their condition or improve their independence. These animals are protected under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).

The draft policy recognises dogs as assistance animals. They are the only species Council considers as currently capable of meeting the high standards of behaviour, training, health and hygiene required in Council places.

The following are not recognised as assistance animals:

• Pets
• Emotional support or therapy animals
• Animals that are not dogs
• Dogs that are dangerous, menacing, nuisance or restricted breeds.

Requirements for assistance animals in Council places

For an assistance animal to be allowed in Council places, the draft policy explains that it must meet the following requirements:

These dogs are not pets. They are working animals and must meet a set of high standards. They must be:

• a dog
• well-trained for specific disability-related tasks and for public access
• desexed, microchipped, and registered
• visibly identified (with a vest, harness, badge)
• under control at all times (on short leash, or wearing a harness)
• calm and not aggressive or disruptive
• clean and healthy.
  

A handler may be asked to show proof to certify their animal is a trained assistance animal.

What if an animal doesn't meet the requirements?

The draft policy explains that Council staff can ask for proof that an animal is an assistance animal. If this can’t be shown, access to a Council place may be refused.

Misrepresenting a pet as an assistance animal is misleading — it also undermines the safety and rights of people who genuinely rely on these animals to support their access and participation in public places.

Why do we need this policy?

Currently, there are no laws in NSW about how people must train or certify assistance animals. That means there are different ideas of what qualifies as an assistance animal.

This draft policy helps fill that gap. It supports people to understand their rights in Council places, and sets out:

• what training an assistance animal needs
• how Council staff can check access rights
• how Council supports safe and inclusive access to council places.

Information Sessions

Come along to one of our three information sessions on the Draft Policy on Assistance Animal in Council Places.

Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre: Thursday 10 July, 10am - 11:30am. Click here for more event details.

Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre: Tuesday 15 July, 10am - 11:30am. Click here for more event details.

Online: Tuesday 23 July, 2pm - 3pm. Click here for more event details.

Have your say

Council is seeking community feedback from Monday 16 June 2025 to Friday 15 August 2025. Your input will help make sure the policy is fair, clear, and practical for everyone.

Please review the draft policy document and share your thoughts by making a submission.

There are lots of ways to have your say:

• Online: using the survey form below
• Email: tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au(External link) Subject: Assistance Animals
• Write to us: Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Subject: Assistance Animals
• Visit Us: Murwillumbah or Tweed Administration Office for hard copy information (Easy Read format)

Please include your name, address and contact details with your email or mail submission.