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Completing the public access test and certifying your dog

The Public Access Test (PAT) establishes a minimum standard for guide, hearing and assistance dogs to exist certified nether the Guide, Hearing and Aid Dogs Act 2009 (the Act).

You must use an canonical trainer or training institution to work with yous to train your guide, hearing or assistance dog, take you and the dog through the PAT, and certify your dog.

A trained dog must be certified within seven days subsequently successfully completing the PAT. This volition confirm your dog is safe and effective in a public identify, public passenger vehicle, or place of accommodation, and is able to exist physically controlled past you, as primary handler of the dog, or as a primary handler with the support of an alternative handler.

Trained dogs become certified when they:

  • perform identifiable physical tasks or behaviours to assist a person with a disability to reduce their need for support
  • accept passed a PAT conducted past an approved trainer or preparation institution inside 7 days of certification and prior to requesting a handler identity card
  • are not a restricted breed nether the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008
  • are de-sexed and vaccinated
  • accept not been declared a unsafe dog nether a local law.

Dogs must also undergo regular skill updating and testing to make sure they stay safe and constructive in public places and public passenger vehicles.

Eligibility

To exist eligible yous need to:

  • take a disability every bit defined past the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Human action 2009
  • rely on a guide, hearing or assistance dog to reduce your need for back up
  • be able to physically control your dog, or identify an alternative handler to support you lot to control the dog
  • have your domestic dog laissez passer the PAT and be certified past an approved trainer or training institution.

More data

  • Information for trainers—booklet
  • Guide, hearing and assistance dogs legislation
  • Public Access Test, Certification and Handler Identity Card Course (PDF, 364 KB) or (RTF, 431 KB)
Last updated:
26 July 2018