The ask
Give venues and transport operators the discretion to welcome well-behaved, leashed dogs, consistent with international best practice. No venue would be required to allow dogs. The reform removes prohibitions that currently prevent businesses from making that choice.
Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW)
What needs to change
Amend the Act to permit dogs in enclosed dining and drinking areas of licensed venues at the discretion of the business owner, subject to the same conditions that currently apply to outdoor areas (leashed, on the ground, away from food preparation areas).
Responsible minister
Ron Hoenig, Minister for Local Government
Difficulty
MediumReform pathway
Legislative amendment, incorporated into the current Companion Animals Act review (further consultation expected 2026)
Current status
Review underway. Submissions closed May 2025, further consultation expected 2026.
Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017 (NSW)
What needs to change
Allow leashed, well-behaved dogs on trains and Sydney Metro outside peak hours. Remove the container-only requirement for buses, ferries, and light rail, replacing it with a leashed-and-supervised standard.
Responsible minister
John Graham, Minister for Transport
Difficulty
MediumReform pathway
Regulatory amendment. Does not require primary legislation.
Current status
The campaign proposes an off-peak trial as a starting point, allowing Transport for NSW to assess operational impacts.
Food Standards Code, Standard 3.2.2 (national)
What needs to change
Amend the standard to allow pet dogs in indoor customer areas of food businesses at venue discretion, following the UK model. Food hygiene obligations unchanged.
Responsible minister
Federal Minister for Health / Food Regulation (via the Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation)
Difficulty
HighReform pathway
National instrument requiring agreement through the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation.
Current status
Pursue after state-level wins. Multi-jurisdictional agreement required.
Sequencing
The campaign starts with the two state-level reforms, which are faster and within NSW’s power. Reforms 1 and 2 can be pursued in parallel: the Companion Animals Act review provides a vehicle for the hospitality reform, while the transport regulation can be amended by the Minister directly. These state-level wins build the evidence base and political momentum for the national Food Standards Code change.
State-level reforms (2026)
Companion Animals Act amendment and transport regulation change, pursued in parallel through existing review processes and ministerial action.
Build the case (2026–2027)
Use state-level wins to demonstrate outcomes, build interstate support, and prepare the case for national reform.
National reform (2027+)
Pursue the Food Standards Code amendment through the Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation, with an evidence base strengthened by NSW’s experience.