Microchippers and vets Print E-mail

In Queensland every person who implants cats and dogs with a microchip must be an authorised microchip implanter. This is a requirement under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and has been in force since 1 July 2009.

Microchips

A microchip is a permanent identification device (PID) that is implanted into an animal to record information in a way that can be electronically retrieved.

In Queensland authorised implanters must use microchips that are prescribed PIDs (PPID). These are described in the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Regulation 2009.

Legislation applying to microchippers and suppliers of microchips

As an authorised implanter, you must have a sound understanding of your responsibilities under the Act.

The Act includes provisions that regulate a number of aspects associated with the sale, implantation and tracking of microchips in Queensland.

Under the Act (Section 24) an authorised implanter cannot implant a PPID, also called a microchip, in a cat or dog less than eight weeks old unless at least one of the following is met:
  • the implanter has a reasonable excuse
  • the implanter is a veterinary surgeon who considers implanting the PPID is not likely to be a serious risk to the health of the cat or dog
  • there is a signed veterinary surgeon’s certificate for the cat or dog stating that implanting the PPID when it is less than eight weeks old is not likely to be a serious risk to the health of the cat or dog.
Under the Act, suppliers of microchips are required to abide by the following provisions:
  • a person must not supply a microchip that is not a prescribed permanent implantation device (PPID)
  • a seller must not supply a microchip to a person other than an authorised implanter
  • a seller who supplies a microchip to an authorised implanter must, within seven days after supplying it, give the implanter a notice stating the number for the microchip
  • seller who supplies a microchip to an authorised implanter must, within seven days after supplying it, give to all licence holders a notice stating the
    • name and address of the implanter
    • microchip number.
Please be aware that penalties may apply if microchip suppliers do not follow these requirements.

The department stresses that it is a requirement that all licensed microchip registry services be advised of the sale of a microchip by a supplier. Please be advised that the following licensed microchip registry services are operating in Queensland.

Current PID registry license holders in Queensland

Read more in the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (PDF icon 784 KB) and the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Regulation 2009 (PDF icon 491 KB).

Becoming an authorised microchip implanter

There are three steps to becoming an authorised microchip implanter.

1. You must have pre-requisite qualifications

  • Veterinary surgeons - Bachelor of Veterinarian Science (or equivalent)
  • Others - qualifications relating to the care and handling of cats and/or dogs (including vet nurses, a certificate in Animal Technology, Bachelor of Applied Science in Animal Science, etc.).

2. You must have completed an approved microchipping course

  • Veterinary surgeons - approved course for Queensland registered veterinary surgeons in microchip implantation of cats and dogs.
  • Others - approved course in microchip implantation of cats and dogs.

This course is currently offered by:

Note: If you have completed other qualifications and/or microchip implantation courses, you will need to apply to have these recognised as equivalent qualifications/courses by completing:

When applying for recognition of an equivalent qualification, your application will be reviewed against the following criteria:

  • occupational health and safety in dealing with animals including cats and dogs when undertaking health checks and procedures
  • handling, management and transport of companion animals
  • monitor and maintain health of companion animals.

When applying for recognition of an equivalent microchip implantation course, your application will be reviewed against the following criteria:

  • safe implantation of microchips including:
    • animal handling during implantation
    • aseptic implantation
  • Queensland legislation including:
    • the legislative responsibilities of authorised implanters operating in Queensland.

To assist in the administration of the Act, the department also uses authorised implanter numbers (AINs) to authorise implanters that apply. Some sellers of microchips and PID Registry Services may require you to provide a AIN before you can buy a microchip or register as an implanter.

3. Apply for an authorised implanter number (AIN) with the department

If you have the necessary qualifications and microchip course, you need to apply through the department for an AIN.

Applying to review a permanent identification device (PID) decision

To appeal against an original decision made about PIDs under the Act, please complete an application for review.

Last Updated on Thursday, 01 September 2011 10:40