How To Update A Microchip

Keeping your pet’s microchip details up-to-date is essential to ensure they can be safely returned if lost. If your pet isn’t microchipped, or the contact information linked to their microchip is not up-to-date, they may never make it back home. Because microchip registries (databases) vary between Australian states, the process for updating your contact details or transferring ownership depends on your location and which microchip registry holds the microchip.

What Is a Microchip and How Does It Work?

A microchip is a tiny electronic chip, about the size of a grain of rice. It is inserted under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades by a vet or authorised implanter. Each microchip contains a unique 15-digit number that can be read with a microchip scanner. When that number is searched on a pet microchip registry, it reveals your contact details such as your name, phone number and address. Microchips don’t track your pet’s location – they only store the 15-digit number that helps vets, councils or shelters contact you if your pet is found.

Note: Only authorised personnel (e.g. vets, council rangers, some shelter staff) can access microchip details. Members of the public can only view their own pets’ details if the microchip is registered to them and linked to their account on the relevant microchip register.

How can I find my pet’s microchip number?

The best way to find your pet’s microchip number is to visit a vet clinic or animal shelter and ask them to scan your pet. There should be no charge for this service. You can also check any adoption, breeder, vaccination, or desexing paperwork, which often includes the 15-digit microchip number.

How can I get my dog or cat microchipped?

Your pet only needs 1 microchip so if it’s already been done previously, it does not need to be done again. But if the pet is microchipped but the details are not up-to-date, you’ll need to update the information on it. If your pet has been scanned for a microchip and no microchip was detected, you have a few options:

Call your council to ask if they offer microchipping. Some councils will offer free or discounted microchipping and a small number of council rangers may even visit your house to do it.
Book an appointment with your local vet.

After your dog or cat is microchipped, you’ll fill out a form with your contact information. This form is then used by the person who microchipped your pet to add your details onto a pet microchip database. It is best to include your email and a second phone number (e.g. for a family member or friend) in case your pet goes missing years from now and your number changes.

Microchipping is mandatory in all Australian states except Northern Territory (it is also mandatory in some council areas in NT).

How to Update Your Pet’s Microchip Details in NSW

If you and your pet live in NSW, the microchip must be recorded on the NSW Pet Registry. To confirm whether the microchip is on this microchip register and if it’s in your details or not, the easiest way is to contact your local council rangers or council animal shelter with the microchip number. They can check who the chip is registered to and if the details are up-to-date or not. The exact steps to follow to update microchip details will depend on who the pet is currently microchipped to. There is no fee to update a pet microchip in NSW.

Note: Microchips can also sometimes be updated online on the NSW Pet Registry but many users report having issues with it and it doesn’t work in all situations.

Microchip is in my name but with an old address, phone number or maiden name

Fill out the Update Your Details C3C form and send it to your local council. Follow up in 1-2 weeks to confirm it’s been processed if you don’t hear back sooner.

Microchip is in someone else’s name and I have their contact details

Both you and the previous owner must complete and sign the Change of Owner C3A form. Submit it to your local council and follow up with the council in 1-2 weeks if you haven’t heard back from them.

I don’t know the person listed on the microchip or I cannot contact them

Submit a statutory declaration form signed by a Justice of the Peace (JP) to your local council. It should clearly outline your claim to ownership. It should include details such as when and where you acquired the pet, how long you’ve had them, their microchip number, details about their origin, and confirmation that you are the sole legal owner (if applicable). With this documentation, the council should be able to update the microchip into your name and details on the NSW Pet Registry.

Microchip is not on the NSW Pet Registry

Visit the NSW Pet Registry to search for the microchip. If it doesn’t appear then the microchip is not on the NSW Pet Registry. It is vital that the microchip is put on the Registry as it is a legal requirement and if your pet escapes, you won’t get contacted unless the microchip is on the Registry.

Bring your pet to a vet clinic where they can scan the pet for a microchip and they can fill out the Verification of Existing Microchip M1 form with you. You can then send the completed form to the council to process. It’s a good idea to search for the microchip on the NSW Pet Registry a week or two later to ensure the microchip has been put into your name by the council.

How to Update Your Pet’s Microchip Details in VIC, QLD, WA, ACT, TAS & NT

The first step is to check what microchip registry the animal is listed on. Visit Pet Address, enter the 15-digit microchip number, click ‘Search’ then click “I ACCEPT the above conditions”.
If the microchip is on a microchip register, Pet Address will show which microchip registry the microchip is recorded with. Pet Address searches all national microchip registers except the NSW Pet Registry, the South-Australian registry and the greyhound registry. If the microchip isn’t on any microchip register, contact your council for assistance.
The next steps to update your pet’s microchip will depend on which microchip registry the pet is listed on, with details below. See below for more info.

Central Animal Records (CAR)

To update dog or cat microchips on Central Animal Records, visit the Owner Forms page.
There is a fee to initially place the microchip on the register and to transfer ownership.

Australasian Animal Registry (AAR)

To update microchips on the Australasian Animal Registry (AAR) visit the change of ownership page which shows both the online and offline methods of updating microchips.
There is a fee to initially place the microchip on AAR and to change ownership.

Global Micro Animal Registry

This registry is less commonly used but some microchips are listed here.
Visit the registration page to register your pet initially or visit change of ownership.
A fee applies for both initial registration and ownership changes.

Petsafe

This is also not a commonly used microchip register.
There may be a fee to initially register and/or update microchips on this register. Visit the Petsafe website for more information.

HomeSafeID

This registry is no longer active as of February 2025. Ensure your pet is listed on another microchip registry.

How to Update Your Pet’s Microchip Details in SA

If your pet lives in SA, the microchip must be listed with up-to-date details on the Dogs And Cats Online microchip database. Visit their website for further details. It can also optionally be listed on any of the below microchip registries but must also be listed on Dogs And Cats Online.

What about ‘registration’? Is this different to microchipping?

Yearly or lifetime registration on a microchip is NOT the same thing as microchipping a dog or cat. This is an additional fee (typically paid yearly or once-off) usually paid to the council. The fee amount and if it is yearly or once-off varies between states and councils. In NSW, lifetime registration is required once per pet, regardless of how many times ownership changes. NSW residents can also check if an animal is lifetime registered by visiting the NSW Pet Registry and entering the 15-digit microchip number.

If Your Pet Goes Missing

Updating your pet’s microchip is one of the most important steps to keeping them safe. To be fully prepared, you may also want to familiarise yourself with what to do if your pet does go missing. Check out our guides on how to find a lost cat and how to find a lost dog for practical tips and strategies.