Travelling with a guide, hearing or assistance dog

Within Australia

A certified guide, hearing or assistance dog can travel with you (an approved handler):

• on all public transport including taxis and booked hire vehicles in Queensland
• to places of accommodation in Queensland
• in most public places in Queensland
• on domestic flights.

Your dog must be certified by an approved trainer or training institution and have passed a Public Access Test (PAT).

If you are refused service by a booked hire vehicle operator (such as taxis’, Uber, Ola, etc) you can lodge a complaint with the Department of Transport and Main Roads by emailing personalised.transport@tmr.qld.gov.au or calling 13 12 30. Complaints can only be actioned against individual operators and not the rideshare companies.

When submitting your complaint provide as much detail as possible about the trip, including:

• the name of the company.
• the vehicle registration (number plate);
• the time of day and location of the incident.

Visit personalised transport complaints for more information.

Travelling overseas

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry regulates the import and export of live animals to and from Australia.

If you plan to travel overseas with your certified dog, you must comply with:

• Australia’s import and export legislation
• the biosecurity requirements of the destination country and then Australia upon your return.

This includes:

• veterinary preparation and health certification of your dog
• obtaining import and export permits for both Australia and your destination country.

Find more information about the requirements for Exporting live animals from Australia and Bringing cats and dogs to Australia or contact the department directly by phone 1800 900 090 or lodge an online query.