Is the Prong Collar Banned in NSW?

The current law and lessons from Queensland

Have Your Say Before the NSW Law Changes

Right now, no ban exists. But decisions are moving quickly, and once legislation is passed it can be very difficult to reverse. If you believe dog policy should be based on evidence, real outcomes, and practical experience, now is the time to speak up.

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NSW Parliament Petition

Add your voice to the NSW Parliamentary Petition (NSW Residents Only)

sign the petition

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Change.org Petition

SIGN THE PETITION

Important Correction About the NSW Prong Collar Ban

You may have seen online posts, media articles, or AI generated summaries claiming that prong collars are already banned in NSW.

This is not correct.

It is true that the NSW Premier has publicly announced an intention to ban prong collars, and the Animal Justice Party has publicly claimed success in securing such a ban. However, an announcement is not the same thing as a law.

As of now:

There is no NSW legislation in force that bans the use or possession of prong collars
No NSW Act has been amended by Parliament to prohibit their use
No offence provision has commenced making their use illegal

Until legislation is formally drafted, debated, passed by Parliament, and commenced, a ban does not legally exist.

Lawful in October 2025; proposed for prohibition in January 2026.

Import restrictions are often confused with use laws

Prong collars are restricted from import into Australia under federal regulations. This is often confused with state law.

Import restrictions apply to the importation of new items into the country. They do not make prong collars illegal to own or use in NSW. Existing collars may still be lawfully used unless and until NSW legislation changes.

Why the confusion?

Political announcements and advocacy campaigns frequently use strong or present-tense language, such as “we are outlawing” or “these devices are illegal.” AI tools and some media outlets often repeat this language without verifying whether legislation has actually been passed. As a result, policy intentions and advocacy positions are being presented as if they are already law, creating confusion for dog owners, trainers, and the wider public.

What is currently occurring is advocacy-driven activity. The Animal Justice Party has publicly advocated for restrictions through regulatory mechanisms and is now advocating for amendments to NSW legislation. The NSW Government has indicated support for legislative change, but no change has yet been made to the law.

What Happened in Queensland

In 2022, the Queensland Government introduced legislation banning the use of the prong collar.

During the consultation process, detailed information was formally provided to Government outlining potential risks and likely outcomes.

At the time, the following points were raised:

The RSPCA had no recorded cases of cruelty or injury caused by prong collars
There were no veterinary reports or council records showing dogs had been injured by prong collars
There was no evidence demonstrating that prong collars posed a risk to animal welfare
Studies were provided showing that prong collars can be effective when used correctly and under professional guidance
Offers were made to provide education programs and expert consultation, which were declined
Clear warnings were given that banning effective training tools could increase the risk of serious dog attacks

QLD-ProngCollarBan-Annastacia-Palaszczuk-2022

Before the ban was passed, the Professional Dog Trainers Australia (PDTA) lodged a detailed submission outlining these concerns and the likely real-world consequences.

That submission remains publicly available:
https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/com/SDRIC-F506/ACPAB2022-D15B/submissions/00000888.pdf

The data that followed the ban demonstrates that these warnings were not hypothetical.

What happened after the ban

Since the ban came into effect, official data and media reporting show a consistent pattern.

Reported attacks increased

Media outlets now report that Queensland councils are recording an average of approximately 124 people mauled by dogs every week across the state.

Council data and frontline worker safety statistics aligns with this reporting.

Moreton Bay recorded an increase in attacks on people from 236 incidents in 2022 to 757 incidents in 2025
Sunshine Coast reported an increase of approximately 10 percent in dog attacks between the 2022–23 and 2023–24 financial years
Australia Post reported a 55 percent increase in dog-related incidents involving postal workers across Queensland since July 2022

Queensland Government hospital data shows dog bite injuries requiring hospital treatment remain high.

Approximately 2,700 hospital admissions in 2024:

- 2,691 hospital admissions in 2023
- 2,553 hospital admissions in 2021–22

These figures show outcomes following the ban, not proof of direct causation, but they demonstrate that serious incidents have not declined.

Queensland outcomes following the ban of the prong collar

Why this matters for NSW

NSW is now being asked to adopt a similar legislative approach.

Queensland’s experience shows that removing training tools, increasing penalties, and relying on post-incident responses has not produced measurable improvements in public safety outcomes.

This issue is not limited to one training device. It concerns whether policy decisions are made based on evidence and outcomes, or primarily on advocacy positions.

What Australians are beginning to Notice

Across many policy areas, Australians are seeing the same pattern repeat:

Policies are announced before laws are passed, leaving people unsure about what is legal and what is not
Advocacy demands are treated as settled decisions, even when Parliament has not properly debated them
Governments step in after things go wrong, relying on fines and penalties instead of preventing problems early
People with hands-on experience are sidelined, while decisions are made by those who do not live with the consequences

For everyday dog owners, this has real effects. Responsible owners and trainers are losing access to training options without being offered proven alternatives that improve safety or animal welfare. Queensland shows what can happen when this approach is taken. Once these laws are passed, they are difficult to reverse, even when they make things worse for dogs, owners, and the wider community.

What Supporters of the NSW Prong Collar Ban are proposing

The campaign to ban prong collars does not exist in isolation.

Some groups supporting this ban have publicly advocated for broader changes, including:

A ban on all dog training tools not limited to prong collars
A ban on training or behaviour modification methods considered aversive, including verbal correction (e.g. can not say ‘no’ to a dog)
Mandatory government-approved training programs permitting only positive reinforcement, funded by trainers.
Loss of accreditation and restrictions on animal ownership for non-compliance

Taken together, these proposals would significantly limit how dogs may be trained and managed, regardless of breed, size, or behavioural needs.

dog-policy-driven-by-ideology-from-tool-bans

What You Can Do Right Now

Public participation is an important part of the legislative process.

If you support evidence-based dog training and responsible dog ownership, there are lawful and constructive ways to engage.

Sign the NSW Parliament petition if you are a NSW resident
Sign the Change.org petition to indicate broader public concern

Sharing accurate information and encouraging others to verify claims also helps improve public understanding.

A Final Warning

Many policy changes are initially viewed as unlikely or extreme. Queensland demonstrates that once legislation is passed, it can be difficult to amend or repeal, even when outcomes do not improve.

That is why distinguishing between announcements and enforceable law, and examining real-world outcomes before further changes are made, is critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is widespread confusion about prong collars in NSW, but they are not currently banned for use or possession, as no legislation has yet been passed or commenced. Experience from Queensland shows that banning prong collars has not reduced serious dog attacks or hospital admissions, highlighting the importance of evidence-based policy and informed public engagement.

Is the prong collar currently banned in NSW?

No.
As of now, there is no NSW legislation in force that bans the use or possession of prong collars. While the NSW Premier has announced an intention to introduce a ban, an announcement does not have the force of law. Until legislation is formally passed and commenced, prong collars remain legal to use in NSW.

Why are people saying prong collars are already banned?

Confusion has arisen because political announcements, advocacy campaigns, and media reporting often use language that suggests a ban is already in effect. Some AI-generated summaries and social media posts repeat this information without confirming whether legislation has actually been passed. At present, policy intentions are being mistaken for enforceable law.

Are prong collars illegal to import into Australia?

Yes.
Prong collars are restricted from import into Australia under federal regulations. However, import restrictions are not the same as a ban on use or possession within NSW. Existing collars may still be lawfully used unless NSW legislation changes.

What happened after Queensland banned Prong Collars

Queensland introduced a prong collar ban in 2022. Since then, official data and media reporting show increases in dog attacks and no reduction in serious injuries.

Reported outcomes include:

Media reports of approximately 124 people mauled by dogs each week statewide
Significant increases in council-reported attacks in regions such as Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast
A 55 percent increase in dog-related incidents involving postal workers, reported by Australia Post
Hospital admissions for dog bites remaining higher than pre-ban levels, with approximately 2,700 admissions in 2024

These figures show outcomes following the ban, not proof of direct causation, but they demonstrate that serious incidents have not declined.

Did experts warn the Queensland Government about these risks?

Yes.
Before the ban was passed, professional dog trainers and industry representatives provided submissions to the Queensland Government warning that removing effective training tools without practical alternatives could increase the risk of serious dog attacks. These warnings were formally documented and are publicly available.

Does banning training tools improve animal welfare?

There is no clear evidence from Queensland data showing that banning prong collars has improved public safety or reduced serious dog bite injuries. Outcomes depend on many factors, including owner education, early intervention, and access to effective training methods. Simply removing tools does not address underlying behavioural issues.

Is this issue only about prong collars?

No.
Some groups supporting a prong collar ban have also publicly advocated for broader changes, including bans on multiple training tools, restrictions on outcome-based training methods, and mandatory government-approved training programs. This is why many trainers and dog owners see the current debate as part of a larger shift in dog ownership and training policy.

What can NSW dog owners and trainers do?

Dog owners and trainers can:

Seek accurate, up-to-date information from official government sources
Participate in public consultation processes
Sign relevant petitions
Contact their local Members of Parliament to express concerns or ask questions
Share factual information to reduce public confusion

Public engagement is an important part of how laws are shaped.

Legal and Informational Disclaimer

This content is provided for general informational and public interest purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legislative and regulatory settings may change. Readers should consult official government sources for current and authoritative information.

Views expressed are based on publicly available data, professional experience, and observed outcomes. No allegation of unlawful conduct, improper motive, or bad faith is made against any individual or organisation.