{"id":"tas:act-1967-042","name":"Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs Act 1967","slug":"guide-dogs-and-hearing-dogs-act-1967","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"42 of 1967","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":177025,"registerId":"tas-tas:act-1967-042-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> *\\[Section 1 Amended by No. 59 of 1988, s. 5 \\]*This Act may be cited as the [Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs Act 1967](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1967-042) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 2 Interpretation\n\n> *\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 59 of 1988, s. 6 \\]**\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 68 of 1994, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 9 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS5@Hpa@EN) ***approved guide dogs institution*** means an institution for the training of dogs as guides for blind or vision impaired persons that is declared by the Minister, by order, to be an approved guide dogs institution for the purposes of this Act;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 9 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS5@Hpb@EN) ***approved hearing dogs institution*** means an institution for the training of dogs to assist deaf or hearing impaired persons that is declared by the Minister, by order, to be an approved hearing dogs institution for the purposes of this Act;\n> \n> [*\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 9 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS5@Hpc@EN)\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 9 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS5@Hpc@EN) ***guide dog*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) in the case of a blind or vision impaired person, a dog that has been, or is being, trained by an approved guide dogs institution and is guiding or otherwise accompanying that person; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) in the case of a deaf or hearing impaired person, a dog that has been, or is being, trained by an approved hearing dogs institution and is assisting or otherwise accompanying that person; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) in the case of a trainer, a dog that is –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) being trained by an approved guide dogs or hearing dogs institution to guide or assist a blind or vision impaired person or deaf or hearing impaired person; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) is wearing a distinctive coat or harness, bearing the name of that institution, that identifies it as a guide dog in training;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 9 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS5@Hpc@EN) ***institution*** means an institution of this State or of a Territory or another State;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 9 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS5@Hpc@EN) ***public passenger vehicle*** means a vehicle, vessel or aircraft that is –\n> > \n> > > > (a) used to carry passengers for hire or reward; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) made available without charge, as a courtesy or service, for use by the clients of a business, the participants in an activity or members of the public;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 9 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS5@Hpc@EN) ***public place*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) any place that offers accommodation to members of the public; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) any other place to which the public have access, whether on payment of money for admission or otherwise; or\n> > > \n> > > > (c) any prescribed place;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 2 Amended by No. 9 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS5@Hpc@EN) ***trainer*** means a person who trains or assists in training guide dogs for or on behalf of an approved guide dogs or hearing dogs institution.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Rights of guide dog users and trainers in respect of public places and transport","content":"### 3 Rights of guide dog users and trainers in respect of public places and transport\n\n> *\\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 59 of 1988, s. 7 \\]**\\[Section 3 Subsection (2) amended by No. 59 of 1988, s. 7 \\]**\\[Section 3 Subsection (3) substituted by No. 112 of 1987, s. 89 \\]**\\[Section 3 Subsection (3) amended by No. 59 of 1988, s. 7 \\]*[*\\[Section 3 Substituted by No. 9 of 2001, s. 6, Applied:12 Apr 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-009#GS6@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  A person who is blind or vision impaired, deaf or hearing impaired or a trainer –\n> > \n> > > > (a) is entitled to be accompanied by a guide dog into any public place or onto any public passenger vehicle; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) does not commit an offence by taking a guide dog into or onto, or permitting a guide dog to remain in or on, a public place or public passenger vehicle.\n> \n> > (2)  A person who is in charge of a public place or public passenger vehicle, or the servant or agent of a person in charge of a public place or public passenger vehicle, must not –\n> > \n> > > > (a) refuse to allow a person accompanied by a guide dog into that place or onto that vehicle; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) direct a person accompanied by a guide dog to leave that place or vehicle; or\n> > > \n> > > > (c) deny accommodation or service to a person accompanied by a guide dog.\n> > \n> > Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.\n> \n> > (3)  For the purposes of [subsection (2)](#GS3@Gs2@EN) , a person may be taken to have refused or denied another person entry, access, accommodation or service by means of an omission as well as by an act.\n> \n> > (4)  It is a defence in any proceedings under [subsection (2)](#GS3@Gs2@EN) for the defendant to show –\n> > \n> > > > (a) that he or she had reasonable cause, unrelated to the presence of the guide dog, for the act or omission constituting the alleged offence; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) that –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the person who was refused admission, directed to leave or denied accommodation or service was unable, on request made by or on behalf of the defendant before the time of refusal, direction or denial, to produce an identity card for inspection; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) it was reasonable in the circumstances for that request to be made.\n> \n> > (5)  An identity card is a card that –\n> > \n> > > > (a) an approved guide dogs or hearing dogs institution issues to –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) a person who is a trainer for or on behalf of the institution; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) a person who has been assigned a guide dog trained, or being trained, by the institution; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) is in a form determined by the institution; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) bears the name of the institution, and the name and address of the cardholder.\n> \n> > (6)  A person must, as soon as practicable after ceasing to be a trainer or a person to whom a guide dog is assigned, return his or her identity card to the institution that issued it.\n> > \n> > Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 0.5 penalty units.\n> \n> > (7)  In the event of any inconsistency arising between this section and another law of the State, other than the [Anti-Discrimination Act 1998](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1998-046) , this section prevails over the other law.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"### 4 Regulations\n\n> *\\[Section 4 Inserted by No. 59 of 1988, s. 8 \\]*The Governor may make regulations for the purposes of this Act.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional provision","content":"### 5 Transitional provision\n\n> An order made by the Minister under [section 2](#GS2@EN) declaring an institution to be an approved institution that is in force immediately before the day on which the [Guide Dogs Amendment Act 1988](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) receives the Royal Assent continues in force on and after that day as if it were an order made by the Minister under that section, amended by the [Guide Dogs Amendment Act 1988](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) , declaring that institution to be an approved guide dogs institution.","sortOrder":4}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes — amendments reflected in the Act expand scope to include hearing dogs and trainers (definitions and s3), establish an identity‑card regime for approved institutions and cardholders (s3(5)–(6)), add a Governor’s regulation power (s4), and preserve earlier ministerial approvals via a transitional provision (s5)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, focused subject matter (access rights for guide/hearing dogs and trainers)","Several defined terms that determine coverage (guide dog, public place, public passenger vehicle, approved institution) (s2)","Ministerial discretion to declare approved institutions affects who benefits (s2)","Simple offence structure with modest monetary penalties and a limited statutory defence (s3)","Administrative identity‑card regime imposes small compliance steps on institutions and individuals (s3(5)–(6))","Provision that this section prevails over other State laws except the Anti‑Discrimination Act creates a specific legal hierarchy (s3(7))","Regulation‑making power and transitional saving add minor implementation and continuity complexity (ss4–5)"],"plain_english_summary":"Mechanically, this Act entitles blind or vision‑impaired and deaf or hearing‑impaired people — and approved trainers — to be accompanied by guide dogs in public places and on public passenger vehicles, and makes it an offence for those in charge to refuse admission, direct them to leave or deny service (s3). Approved training institutions issue identity cards; the Minister declares approved institutions; the Governor may make regulations; operators may request ID and have limited defences; individuals must return cards when no longer a trainer or assigned (ss2,3,4,5)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the Act appears to have remained consistent with its original 1967 intent — protecting the access rights of people with vision or hearing impairments who rely on trained assistance dogs. No significant scope expansion or contraction is evident from the amendment history, which shows minimal changes since at least 2001."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow and specific subject matter — limited to guide and hearing dogs only","Short, older piece of legislation with minimal amendments since 2001","Straightforward rights-based framework with no complex regulatory machinery","The provided text is largely metadata and status information rather than substantive legislative content, limiting detailed analysis","Overlapping federal legislation (Disability Discrimination Act 1992) adds a minor layer of complexity for those seeking to understand the full legal picture"],"plain_english_summary":"The Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs Act 1967 (Tasmania) gives people who rely on guide or hearing dogs the legal right to bring those assistance animals into places dogs are normally banned (shops, taxis, hotels, rental accommodation and similar). It affects people with disabilities, businesses and service providers by making refusal because of an assistance dog unlawful, protecting access and dignity. The Act is an older law and overlaps with later federal disability protections."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1967 Act appears to have been limited to guide dogs for the blind. The current version has expanded to include hearing dogs for deaf and hearing impaired persons (added by amendments, particularly in 2001), and now covers trainers with dogs in training wearing distinctive coats. The definition of 'guide dog' itself now encompasses three distinct categories: dogs guiding blind/vision impaired persons, dogs assisting deaf/hearing impaired persons, and dogs in training with trainers. This represents a significant expansion from the original scope."},"complexity_factors":["Only 5 sections total, with Section 3 being the substantive operative provision","7 defined terms in the interpretation section, but most are straightforward (e.g., 'institution', 'trainer')","Single nested structure in the 'guide dog' definition (paragraphs (a), (b), (c) with sub-sub-paragraphs for trainers)","One defence provision with two alternative limbs, one of which has nested conditions (subsection 3(4))","Cross-reference to Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 in subsection 3(7) regarding inconsistency of laws","Minimal conditional logic—primarily straightforward prohibitions and rights","No regulations or delegated legislative instruments attached to this extract","Transitional provision in section 5 is historical and narrow in application"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis law gives people who are blind, vision impaired, deaf, or hearing impaired the legal right to take their guide dogs or hearing dogs into public places and onto public transport. It also protects trainers who are training these dogs.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **People with disabilities:** Anyone who is blind, vision impaired, deaf, or hearing impaired who uses a guide dog or hearing dog\n- **Trainers:** People who train guide dogs or hearing dogs for approved institutions\n- **Business owners and transport operators:** Anyone who runs a public place (like shops, restaurants, hotels) or public transport (buses, taxis, planes) must allow guide dogs in\n- **Approved institutions:** Organisations that train guide dogs or hearing dogs, which must be officially declared by the Minister\n\n**Key protections:**\n\n- **Right of access:** Guide dog users can enter any public place or public passenger vehicle with their dog\n- **No offence:** Simply bringing a guide dog into these places is not illegal\n- **No refusal:** It is against the law for businesses or transport operators to:\n  - Refuse entry to someone with a guide dog\n  - Tell them to leave\n  - Deny them service or accommodation\n- **Penalties:** Breaking these rules can result in a fine (up to 20 penalty units)\n\n**Important exceptions:**\n\n- The business or operator can refuse service if they have a good reason **unrelated** to the dog (for example, if the person is being disruptive for other reasons)\n- They can ask to see an identity card proving the dog is a genuine guide dog from an approved institution, but only if it's reasonable to ask\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nBefore this law, businesses could legally refuse entry to people with guide dogs. This Act ensures people with disabilities can move freely in public with their essential assistance animals, treating the dog as an extension of the person rather than a pet that can be excluded."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/guide-dogs-and-hearing-dogs-act-1967","history":"/api/acts/guide-dogs-and-hearing-dogs-act-1967/history","analysis":"/api/acts/guide-dogs-and-hearing-dogs-act-1967/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/guide-dogs-and-hearing-dogs-act-1967/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/guide-dogs-and-hearing-dogs-act-1967/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/guide-dogs-and-hearing-dogs-act-1967/documents"}}