{"id":"qld:sl-2019-0144","name":"Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Regulation 2019","slug":"guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs-regulation-2019","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"144 of 2019","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173987,"registerId":"qld-sl-2019-0144-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### sec.1 Short title\n\nThis regulation may be cited as the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Regulation 2019 .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### sec.2 Commencement\n\nThis regulation commences on 2 September 2019.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition","content":"### sec.3 Definition\n\nIn this regulation—\nrelevant trainer means an approved trainer or an approved training institution.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Guide, hearing and assistance dogs in places of accommodation, public places and public passenger vehicles","content":"# Guide, hearing and assistance dogs in places of accommodation, public places and public passenger vehicles","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirements for identifying coats— Act , s 12","content":"### sec.4 Requirements for identifying coats— Act , s 12\n\nFor section 12 (4) of the Act , definition identifying coat , paragraph (b) , the following requirements are prescribed—\nthe dog coat must be issued by a relevant trainer;\nthe dog coat must have an approved badge attached to, and prominently displayed on, the coat.\nIn this section—\napproved badge means a badge, for a guide, hearing or assistance dog, issued by the chief executive.\n(sec.4-ssec.1) For section 12 (4) of the Act , definition identifying coat , paragraph (b) , the following requirements are prescribed— the dog coat must be issued by a relevant trainer; the dog coat must have an approved badge attached to, and prominently displayed on, the coat.\n(sec.4-ssec.2) In this section— approved badge means a badge, for a guide, hearing or assistance dog, issued by the chief executive.\n- (a) the dog coat must be issued by a relevant trainer;\n- (b) the dog coat must have an approved badge attached to, and prominently displayed on, the coat.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Trainers of guide, hearing and assistance dogs","content":"# Trainers of guide, hearing and assistance dogs","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Types of records to be kept and retention periods— Act , s 31","content":"### sec.5 Types of records to be kept and retention periods— Act , s 31\n\nFor section 31 (1) and (2) (b) of the Act , this section prescribes the types of records to be kept by a relevant trainer and requirements for retention of the records.\nFor each dog being trained by a relevant trainer, the trainer must keep a record of the following—\nthe name and breed of the dog;\nthe date of birth or the approximate age of the dog;\nthe training history of the dog, including—\nwhether a public access test has been conducted for the dog; and\nif a public access test has been conducted—whether the dog has passed each element of the test;\nthe veterinary history of the dog;\nthe name, if known, of the person for whom the dog is being trained;\nwhether the dog is being trained as a guide, hearing or assistance dog (the dog’s classification ).\nFor each dog certified by a relevant trainer, the trainer must keep a record of the following—\nthe name and breed of the dog;\nthe date of birth or the approximate age of the dog;\nthe training history of the dog, including—\nthe public access test conducted for the dog; and\nwhether the dog has passed each element of the test;\nthe veterinary history of the dog;\nthe name of the person for whom the dog was certified;\nthe classification for which the dog was certified.\nA relevant trainer must also keep a copy of all of the following documents—\nall documents sent to, or received from, the department by the trainer;\nany written complaints received by the trainer about the provision of a training service by the trainer;\nif the trainer receives a certificate of disability for a person who is the handler of a guide, hearing or assistance dog certified by the trainer—the certificate of disability.\nA relevant trainer must keep a record, or a copy of a document, required to be kept under this section for 7 years after—\nfor a record mentioned in subsection (2) —the day an agreement is made to train the dog; or\nfor a record mentioned in subsection (3) —the day the dog is certified; or\nfor a copy of a document mentioned in subsection (4) —the day the document is sent, or received, by the trainer.\nIn this section—\ncertificate of disability , for a person, means a document signed by a registered health practitioner that states the person has a disability.\nregistered health practitioner means—\na person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise, other than as a student, in any of the following health professions—\nthe medical profession;\nthe occupational therapy profession;\nthe physiotherapy profession;\nthe psychology profession; or\na person who is eligible for practising membership of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited ACN 008 393 440.\n(sec.5-ssec.1) For section 31 (1) and (2) (b) of the Act , this section prescribes the types of records to be kept by a relevant trainer and requirements for retention of the records.\n(sec.5-ssec.2) For each dog being trained by a relevant trainer, the trainer must keep a record of the following— the name and breed of the dog; the date of birth or the approximate age of the dog; the training history of the dog, including— whether a public access test has been conducted for the dog; and if a public access test has been conducted—whether the dog has passed each element of the test; the veterinary history of the dog; the name, if known, of the person for whom the dog is being trained; whether the dog is being trained as a guide, hearing or assistance dog (the dog’s classification ).\n(sec.5-ssec.3) For each dog certified by a relevant trainer, the trainer must keep a record of the following— the name and breed of the dog; the date of birth or the approximate age of the dog; the training history of the dog, including— the public access test conducted for the dog; and whether the dog has passed each element of the test; the veterinary history of the dog; the name of the person for whom the dog was certified; the classification for which the dog was certified.\n(sec.5-ssec.4) A relevant trainer must also keep a copy of all of the following documents— all documents sent to, or received from, the department by the trainer; any written complaints received by the trainer about the provision of a training service by the trainer; if the trainer receives a certificate of disability for a person who is the handler of a guide, hearing or assistance dog certified by the trainer—the certificate of disability.\n(sec.5-ssec.5) A relevant trainer must keep a record, or a copy of a document, required to be kept under this section for 7 years after— for a record mentioned in subsection (2) —the day an agreement is made to train the dog; or for a record mentioned in subsection (3) —the day the dog is certified; or for a copy of a document mentioned in subsection (4) —the day the document is sent, or received, by the trainer.\n(sec.5-ssec.6) In this section— certificate of disability , for a person, means a document signed by a registered health practitioner that states the person has a disability. registered health practitioner means— a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise, other than as a student, in any of the following health professions— the medical profession; the occupational therapy profession; the physiotherapy profession; the psychology profession; or a person who is eligible for practising membership of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited ACN 008 393 440.\n- (a) the name and breed of the dog;\n- (b) the date of birth or the approximate age of the dog;\n- (c) the training history of the dog, including— (i) whether a public access test has been conducted for the dog; and (ii) if a public access test has been conducted—whether the dog has passed each element of the test;\n- (i) whether a public access test has been conducted for the dog; and\n- (ii) if a public access test has been conducted—whether the dog has passed each element of the test;\n- (d) the veterinary history of the dog;\n- (e) the name, if known, of the person for whom the dog is being trained;\n- (f) whether the dog is being trained as a guide, hearing or assistance dog (the dog’s classification ).\n- (i) whether a public access test has been conducted for the dog; and\n- (ii) if a public access test has been conducted—whether the dog has passed each element of the test;\n- (a) the name and breed of the dog;\n- (b) the date of birth or the approximate age of the dog;\n- (c) the training history of the dog, including— (i) the public access test conducted for the dog; and (ii) whether the dog has passed each element of the test;\n- (i) the public access test conducted for the dog; and\n- (ii) whether the dog has passed each element of the test;\n- (d) the veterinary history of the dog;\n- (e) the name of the person for whom the dog was certified;\n- (f) the classification for which the dog was certified.\n- (i) the public access test conducted for the dog; and\n- (ii) whether the dog has passed each element of the test;\n- (a) all documents sent to, or received from, the department by the trainer;\n- (b) any written complaints received by the trainer about the provision of a training service by the trainer;\n- (c) if the trainer receives a certificate of disability for a person who is the handler of a guide, hearing or assistance dog certified by the trainer—the certificate of disability.\n- (a) for a record mentioned in subsection (2) —the day an agreement is made to train the dog; or\n- (b) for a record mentioned in subsection (3) —the day the dog is certified; or\n- (c) for a copy of a document mentioned in subsection (4) —the day the document is sent, or received, by the trainer.\n- (a) a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise, other than as a student, in any of the following health professions— (i) the medical profession; (ii) the occupational therapy profession; (iii) the physiotherapy profession; (iv) the psychology profession; or\n- (i) the medical profession;\n- (ii) the occupational therapy profession;\n- (iii) the physiotherapy profession;\n- (iv) the psychology profession; or\n- (b) a person who is eligible for practising membership of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited ACN 008 393 440.\n- (i) the medical profession;\n- (ii) the occupational therapy profession;\n- (iii) the physiotherapy profession;\n- (iv) the psychology profession; or","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement to prepare, maintain and implement policy— Act , s 31","content":"### sec.6 Requirement to prepare, maintain and implement policy— Act , s 31\n\nThis section prescribes requirements for section 31 (2) (c) of the Act .\nA relevant trainer must prepare, maintain and implement a policy about—\nthe confidentiality of personal information held by the trainer about—\npersons being provided with a training service by the trainer; and\nif the trainer is an approved training institution—employee trainers; and\nthe handling of complaints about the provision of a training service by the trainer.\n(sec.6-ssec.1) This section prescribes requirements for section 31 (2) (c) of the Act .\n(sec.6-ssec.2) A relevant trainer must prepare, maintain and implement a policy about— the confidentiality of personal information held by the trainer about— persons being provided with a training service by the trainer; and if the trainer is an approved training institution—employee trainers; and the handling of complaints about the provision of a training service by the trainer.\n- (a) the confidentiality of personal information held by the trainer about— (i) persons being provided with a training service by the trainer; and (ii) if the trainer is an approved training institution—employee trainers; and\n- (i) persons being provided with a training service by the trainer; and\n- (ii) if the trainer is an approved training institution—employee trainers; and\n- (b) the handling of complaints about the provision of a training service by the trainer.\n- (i) persons being provided with a training service by the trainer; and\n- (ii) if the trainer is an approved training institution—employee trainers; and","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement for insurance cover— Act , s 31","content":"### sec.7 Requirement for insurance cover— Act , s 31\n\nFor section 31 (2) (d) of the Act , public liability insurance cover of at least $10,000,000 is prescribed.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Identity cards for handlers, trainers and puppy carers","content":"# Identity cards for handlers, trainers and puppy carers","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirements for identity cards for handlers— Act , s 45","content":"### sec.8 Requirements for identity cards for handlers— Act , s 45\n\nFor section 45 (b) of the Act , the following requirements for a handler’s identity card are prescribed—\nthe card must include the following information—\nthe name of the handler;\nwhether the person is a primary handler or an alternative handler;\nthe day the card was issued;\nthe day the card expires;\nthe photo on the card must meet the following requirements—\nclearly show the face, head and top of the shoulders of the handler facing directly at the camera;\nclearly show the head of the handler’s certified guide, hearing or assistance dog facing directly at the camera;\nshow skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast;\nnot contain a flash reflection or red eye effect;\nhave been taken not more than 6 months before the card is issued;\nbe printed in high resolution on photo paper;\nbe not less than 45mm and not more than 55mm high and not less than 35mm and not more than 40mm wide.\n- (a) the card must include the following information— (i) the name of the handler; (ii) whether the person is a primary handler or an alternative handler; (iii) the day the card was issued; (iv) the day the card expires;\n- (i) the name of the handler;\n- (ii) whether the person is a primary handler or an alternative handler;\n- (iii) the day the card was issued;\n- (iv) the day the card expires;\n- (b) the photo on the card must meet the following requirements— (i) clearly show the face, head and top of the shoulders of the handler facing directly at the camera; (ii) clearly show the head of the handler’s certified guide, hearing or assistance dog facing directly at the camera; (iii) show skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast; (iv) not contain a flash reflection or red eye effect; (v) have been taken not more than 6 months before the card is issued; (vi) be printed in high resolution on photo paper; (vii) be not less than 45mm and not more than 55mm high and not less than 35mm and not more than 40mm wide.\n- (i) clearly show the face, head and top of the shoulders of the handler facing directly at the camera;\n- (ii) clearly show the head of the handler’s certified guide, hearing or assistance dog facing directly at the camera;\n- (iii) show skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast;\n- (iv) not contain a flash reflection or red eye effect;\n- (v) have been taken not more than 6 months before the card is issued;\n- (vi) be printed in high resolution on photo paper;\n- (vii) be not less than 45mm and not more than 55mm high and not less than 35mm and not more than 40mm wide.\n- (i) the name of the handler;\n- (ii) whether the person is a primary handler or an alternative handler;\n- (iii) the day the card was issued;\n- (iv) the day the card expires;\n- (i) clearly show the face, head and top of the shoulders of the handler facing directly at the camera;\n- (ii) clearly show the head of the handler’s certified guide, hearing or assistance dog facing directly at the camera;\n- (iii) show skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast;\n- (iv) not contain a flash reflection or red eye effect;\n- (v) have been taken not more than 6 months before the card is issued;\n- (vi) be printed in high resolution on photo paper;\n- (vii) be not less than 45mm and not more than 55mm high and not less than 35mm and not more than 40mm wide.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirements for identity cards for employee trainers and puppy carers— Act , s 56","content":"### sec.9 Requirements for identity cards for employee trainers and puppy carers— Act , s 56\n\nFor section 56 (2) (b) of the Act , the following requirements for an identity card issued to an employee trainer or puppy carer are prescribed—\nthe card must include the following information—\nthe name of the employee trainer or puppy carer;\nthe name of the approved training institution that employs the employee trainer or puppy carer;\nwhether the person is an employee trainer or a puppy carer;\nthe day the card was issued;\nthe day the card expires;\nthe card must include a photo of the employee trainer or puppy carer that meets the following requirements—\nclearly show the face, head and top of the shoulders of the employee trainer or puppy carer facing directly at the camera;\nshow skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast;\nnot contain a flash reflection or red eye effect;\nhave been taken not more than 6 months before the card is issued;\nbe printed in high resolution on photo paper;\nthe card must be approximately 60mm high and 100mm wide.\n- (a) the card must include the following information— (i) the name of the employee trainer or puppy carer; (ii) the name of the approved training institution that employs the employee trainer or puppy carer; (iii) whether the person is an employee trainer or a puppy carer; (iv) the day the card was issued; (v) the day the card expires;\n- (i) the name of the employee trainer or puppy carer;\n- (ii) the name of the approved training institution that employs the employee trainer or puppy carer;\n- (iii) whether the person is an employee trainer or a puppy carer;\n- (iv) the day the card was issued;\n- (v) the day the card expires;\n- (b) the card must include a photo of the employee trainer or puppy carer that meets the following requirements— (i) clearly show the face, head and top of the shoulders of the employee trainer or puppy carer facing directly at the camera; (ii) show skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast; (iii) not contain a flash reflection or red eye effect; (iv) have been taken not more than 6 months before the card is issued; (v) be printed in high resolution on photo paper;\n- (i) clearly show the face, head and top of the shoulders of the employee trainer or puppy carer facing directly at the camera;\n- (ii) show skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast;\n- (iii) not contain a flash reflection or red eye effect;\n- (iv) have been taken not more than 6 months before the card is issued;\n- (v) be printed in high resolution on photo paper;\n- (c) the card must be approximately 60mm high and 100mm wide.\n- (i) the name of the employee trainer or puppy carer;\n- (ii) the name of the approved training institution that employs the employee trainer or puppy carer;\n- (iii) whether the person is an employee trainer or a puppy carer;\n- (iv) the day the card was issued;\n- (v) the day the card expires;\n- (i) clearly show the face, head and top of the shoulders of the employee trainer or puppy carer facing directly at the camera;\n- (ii) show skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast;\n- (iii) not contain a flash reflection or red eye effect;\n- (iv) have been taken not more than 6 months before the card is issued;\n- (v) be printed in high resolution on photo paper;","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"pt.5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Transitional provision","content":"# Transitional provision","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Identity cards","content":"### sec.10 Identity cards\n\nA handler’s identity card issued before the commencement and complying with the requirements prescribed by the expired regulation, section 11 is taken to comply with the requirements prescribed by section 8 until the card expires.\nAn identity card for an employee trainer or puppy carer issued before the commencement and complying with the requirements prescribed by the expired regulation, section 13 is taken to comply with the requirements prescribed by section 9 until the card expires.\nIn this section—\nexpired regulation means the expired Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Regulation 2009 .\n(sec.10-ssec.1) A handler’s identity card issued before the commencement and complying with the requirements prescribed by the expired regulation, section 11 is taken to comply with the requirements prescribed by section 8 until the card expires.\n(sec.10-ssec.2) An identity card for an employee trainer or puppy carer issued before the commencement and complying with the requirements prescribed by the expired regulation, section 13 is taken to comply with the requirements prescribed by section 9 until the card expires.\n(sec.10-ssec.3) In this section— expired regulation means the expired Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Regulation 2009 .","sortOrder":14}],"analysis":{"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":false,"description":"The regulation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: operational details for the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act. It covers identification coats, trainer record-keeping, insurance, and ID card specifications - all directly supporting the parent Act's framework. No scope creep detected."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with only 5 parts and 10 sections","Minimal cross-referencing - primarily refers back to the parent Act (Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009) for context","Only 3 defined terms in the entire regulation: 'relevant trainer', 'approved badge', and 'certificate of disability'","Simple conditional logic - mostly 'if/then' scenarios for record-keeping timeframes","Prescriptive but clear requirements - specific measurements for photos (45-55mm high, 35-40mm wide) and insurance amounts ($10 million)","Single transitional provision dealing with legacy ID cards","No nested exceptions or complex definitional chains"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets out the practical rules for how guide, hearing and assistance dogs are identified, trained, and certified in Queensland. It covers three main areas:\n\n**1. Dog identification (Section 4)**\n- Guide, hearing and assistance dogs must wear special coats when in public\n- These coats must be issued by an approved trainer or training institution\n- The coats must display an official badge issued by the government (the \"chief executive\")\n\n**2. Trainer requirements (Sections 5-7)**\nTrainers and training institutions must:\n- Keep detailed records for each dog for 7 years, including: the dog's name and breed, training history, vet history, and who the dog is being trained for\n- Keep copies of all government correspondence, complaints, and disability certificates\n- Have a written policy about keeping client information private and handling complaints\n- Hold at least $10 million in public liability insurance\n\n**3. Identity cards (Sections 8-10)**\n- **Handlers** (people with disabilities who use the dogs) must carry ID cards showing their name, whether they're the primary or alternative handler, issue/expiry dates, and a photo of them with their dog\n- **Trainers and puppy carers** must carry ID cards showing their name, employer, role, dates, and a photo\n- Photos must meet specific standards (size, quality, no red-eye, taken within last 6 months)\n- Old ID cards issued under previous rules remain valid until they expire\n\n**Who it affects:** People with disabilities who rely on guide, hearing or assistance dogs; approved dog trainers and training organisations; and businesses that must allow these dogs into their premises.\n\n**Why it matters:** These rules ensure assistance dogs are properly trained and identifiable, protect public safety through insurance requirements, and help prevent fraud by ensuring only legitimate assistance dogs can access public places."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation updates and prescribes technical and administrative requirements (identifying coats, records, policies, insurance, identity‑card content and photo standards) without expanding the categories of persons or dogs covered. It also preserves previously issued compliant identity cards until expiry (sec.10), indicating continuity rather than a substantive scope expansion."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to the Act for authority and definitions (e.g. sec.4, sec.5 referencing Act provisions)","Detailed, technical specifications (photo dimensions, image quality and card sizes in secs 8–9)","Multiple documentary requirements and retention rules with a fixed 7-year period (sec.5)","Defined lists of who qualifies as a registered health practitioner affecting certificate of disability documentation (sec.5)","Administrative obligations beyond record-keeping: required policies and insurance threshold (secs 6–7)","Chief executive discretion to issue approved badges (sec.4)","A transitional rule preserving pre-commencement identity cards until expiry (sec.10)"],"plain_english_summary":"Prescribes technical, administrative and documentary rules for guide, hearing and assistance dogs, their trainers and card‑holding handlers. Relevant trainers must issue identifying coats with a chief‑executive badge, keep detailed training and veterinary records for 7 years, adopt confidentiality and complaints policies and hold at least $10,000,000 public liability cover. The regulation also sets photo, information and size standards for handler, employee‑trainer and puppy‑carer identity cards and treats existing compliant cards as valid until they expire. It affects trainers, approved institutions and cardholders by creating clear compliance and proof requirements."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation stays tightly focused on its stated purpose: setting practical administrative standards (identification, record-keeping, insurance, and identity cards) for the guide, hearing, and assistance dog system. It does not stray into unrelated subject matter and appears to faithfully implement the framework established by the parent Act."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to the parent Act (requiring the reader to consult separate legislation to understand full context)","Different rules apply to different categories of people (handlers vs. employee trainers vs. puppy carers)","Detailed technical specifications for identity card photos and dimensions","Nuanced definition of 'registered health practitioner' spanning multiple professions","Distinction between dogs 'being trained' versus dogs already 'certified' creates parallel record-keeping obligations","Transitional provisions require understanding of the now-expired 2009 regulation"],"plain_english_summary":"The regulation modernises practical rules for identifying, certifying and managing guide, hearing and assistance dogs in Queensland, replacing the 2009 rules. It affects people with disabilities who use these dogs, trainers, puppy carers, and businesses/transport operators, and matters because it standardises recognised coats and ID, recordkeeping, privacy and complaints policies, and minimum insurance—making access, safety and accountability clearer."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs-regulation-2019","history":"/api/acts/guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs-regulation-2019/history","analysis":"/api/acts/guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs-regulation-2019/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs-regulation-2019/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs-regulation-2019/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs-regulation-2019/documents"}}