How to verify a breeder in Australia:
Your state-by-state Breeder ID Checklist
Every breeder on Perfect Pets has been verified by our team — but if you're looking at a breeder on another platform, or want to do your own check, this guide gives you the tools. Australian states and territories each have their own breeder registration systems, with different numbers, different rules, and different registers. We've pulled it all together in one place, with direct links to every official government register so you can confirm any breeder's status in minutes.
Australian state and territory governments set legal requirements for breeder registration, advertising, and animal welfare — and these are evolving and strengthening all the time. Perfect Pets supports and builds on these requirements. Every breeder on our platform must also be a member of one of Australia's peak breeding bodies - Dogs Australia (formerly the ANKC) for dog breeders, or ACF, CCCA, or ANCATS for cat breeders. On top of that, every account is manually vetted by our team before it goes live. No part of this process is automated, and there are no exceptions.
To see our full requirements, visit our Perfect Pets Verified Breeder Standards page.
Mandatory Breeder Registration Numbers by State
This quick-reference table summarises the unique state systems across Australia. Pet listings or advertisements should display the required breeder identification number for that state.
| State | System Name | Identifier Type | Applies To | Activity Trigger | Verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Pet Registry | Breeder Identification Number (BIN) | Dogs (mandatory from 1 Dec 2025); Cats (voluntary) | Advertising or supplying a dog (puppies born after 1 Dec 2025) | Buyer Search |
| VIC | Pet Exchange Register (PER) | Source Number | Dogs and Cats | Advertising, Selling, or Giving Away | Check PER |
| QLD | QLD Dog Breeder Register (QDBR) | Supply Number (incl. BIN or BEN) | Dogs only (born on or after 26 May 2017) | Supplying, Selling, Giving Away, or Advertising | Check QDBR |
| SA | Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) | DACO Breeder Registration Number | Dogs and Cats | Selling (incl. barter/exchange) or Advertising for sale | Check DACO |
States and Territories without a public Breeder ID verification system
The following jurisdictions do not currently operate a mandatory breeder ID number with a public online verification portal. Pet lovers in these areas should exercise caution, and look for breeders who are verified members of a recognised breeding organisation.
| State / Territory | Current status | More info |
|---|---|---|
| WA | Pet shop reforms commenced 26 May 2025. Further provisions (mandatory desexing, approval to breed, centralised registration) have been legislated but have not yet commenced. The PetsWA system is currently under review. | DLGSC |
| ACT | Breeding licence/permit system through Domestic Animal Services. No centralised public lookup. | ACT City Services |
| TAS | Cat breeder registration under Cat Management Act 2009. Dog registration via councils. No centralised portal. | NRE Tasmania |
| NT | Pet registration via local councils. No territory-wide breeder ID system. | NT Gov |
How to check if a breeder is registered: Verification guides
These simple steps allow you to carry out your due diligence.
NSW How to verify a breeder in NSW — BIN Number check
Understanding the NSW advertising requirements (Source: NSW Pet Registry / Office of Local Government)
From 1 December 2025, strengthened advertising requirements apply to all dog breeders in NSW. These apply to all forms of advertising — including online platforms (e.g. Gumtree, social media), printed flyers, and posters. The advertisement must include:
- The breeder's BIN (Breeder Identification Number)
- The dog's individual microchip number
BINs issued before 1 December 2025 have not been cancelled or reissued — they have been updated to include two eligibility classes (dog breeder and cat breeder). Dog breeders with an existing BIN must activate their dog breeder eligibility through the NSW Pet Registry.
Your verification steps:
- Locate the Required Identifiers: Check the ad for the breeder's BIN and either the dog's microchip number or, for un-microchipped litters, the mother's microchip number (which must be clearly labelled as such). For cat breeders, a recognised breeder organisation number may be used instead of a BIN.
- Access the Official Register: Go to the NSW Pet Registry at petregistry.nsw.gov.au and use the Buyer Search function.
- Confirm the Status: Enter the BIN to confirm the breeder's eligibility status shows as "Active". You can also enter the pet's microchip number to verify it matches the advertised description (breed, sex, age, desexing status).
The mandatory BIN requirement for dog breeders commenced on 1 December 2025. For puppies born before this date, the advertising requirements were different — but you should still always ask to verify a breeder's credentials. Breeders must also provide their vet or authorised identifier with their BIN and the mother's microchip number when microchipping litters, to ensure the accuracy of the Pet Registry.
Key NSW resources:
VIC How to verify a breeder in Victoria — PER Source Number check
- Locate the Required Identifiers: The ad must display both the Source Number and the individual animal's microchip number. Missing either one is illegal.
- Access the Official Register: Go to the Pet Exchange Register public look-up portal (Animal Welfare Victoria) at per.animalwelfare.vic.gov.au.
- Perform the Search and Confirm Validity: Enter the Source Number and verify that the number's status is listed as "Valid".
Key VIC resources:
QLD How to verify a dog breeder in Queensland — Supply Number check
- Locate the Required Identifier: A Supply Number must be quoted for any dog born on or after 26 May 2017 that is advertised, sold or given away — even if it was an unplanned litter. The Supply Number may be a Breeder Identification Number (BIN) or a Breeder Exemption Number (BEN).
- Access the Official Register: Navigate to the QLD Dog Breeder Register look-up page at qdbr.daf.qld.gov.au.
- Crucial Validity Check: Check the Expiry Date. The Supply Number is only legally valid for dogs that were born before that number expired. This is a crucial red flag for potential non-compliant sales.
Key QLD resources:
SA How to verify a breeder in South Australia — DACO Number check
- Locate the Required Identifier: The DACO breeder registration number begins with 'DACO' immediately followed by 6 numbers (no spaces) and must be displayed in the advertisement alongside the seller's and breeder's contact details.
- Access the Official Register: Use the Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) public breeder search portal at dogsandcatsonline.com.au.
- Confirmation and Disclosure Mandate: Confirm the registration status. The seller is legally required to provide you with mandatory written information at the point of sale covering the breeder's details, microchip and implanter details, desexing status, vaccination history, and any known illnesses or medical conditions.
Key SA resources:
WA / ACT / TAS / NT How to verify a breeder with no central register
- Ask for credentials: Request the breeder's membership number with a recognised breeding organisation (e.g., Dogs West, Dogs Tasmania, NTCA, or relevant ANKC-affiliated body). Verify it directly with that organisation.
- Confirm microchipping: All states and territories require dogs to be microchipped before sale. Ask for the microchip number and verify it via the relevant registry.
- Visit in person: Where possible, visit the breeder's premises and meet the mother. Refusal to allow a visit is a significant red flag.
- Check for a council licence (ACT): If buying in the ACT, confirm the breeder holds a current breeding licence from Domestic Animal Services.
Key resources:
Perfect Pets Breeder Standards — Beyond Government Minimums
Meeting the government requirements above means a breeder is operating legally. But at Perfect Pets, legal compliance is just the starting point. Every breeder on our platform must demonstrate:
- Current, financial membership with one of Australia's peak breeding bodies — Dogs Australia (ANKC) for dog breeders, or ACF, CCCA, or ANCATS for cat breeders
- Compliance with their organisation's Code of Ethics — which typically includes health testing, limits on breeding frequency, mandatory socialisation, and lifetime breeder responsibility
- A valid government breeder ID (where applicable in their state)
- Successful approval following our manual vetting process — every account is reviewed by our team before it goes live. No automated approvals. No exceptions.
See our Breeder Verification Process page for full details.
We believe that breeders who commit to both government regulation and the standards of Australia's peak breeding bodies are the ones who genuinely prioritise animal welfare. These are the breeders we recommend to the families and pet lovers who trust our platform.