Your rights

Handlers have the right to access almost all public places with their certified dogs.

It is unlawful under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 to refuse entry or access to:

• public places; including shopping centres, libraries, government buildings
• public passenger vehicles; including planes, trains, buses, ferries, taxis and ride-booking services or:
• places of accommodation; including hotels, motels and short-term holiday rentals.

Refusing access or service to a person with disability accompanied by a certified dog is against the law. This includes:

• refusing entry or access to the public place, public passenger vehicle or place of accommodation
• separating them from their certified dog or other patrons
• charging extra fees or higher rates for accommodation due to the presence of the certified dog .

Penalties apply. Contact the Guide Hearing and Assistance Dogs Team by email at ghad@qld.gov.au or by telephone on 3097 7203 if you have been denied access and want to make a complaint.

Exemptions apply to:

• parts of health service facilities such as in-patient wards, labour wards and procedure rooms
• ambulances
• parts of public places or public passenger vehicles where food is ordinarily prepared.   Food may be prepared on an aeroplane or a boat that goes around the Brisbane River. Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs are not permitted in those parts of the public passenger vehicles.