Hidden in Labor's State Taxation Further Amendment Bill 2025, the Government's increased Pet Tax will double annual dog and cat registration fees from $4.51 to $9.00 per animal from July 2026.
Registration fees for greyhounds will also rise from $3.50 to $7.00.
According to the 2023 Victorian Pet Census, 41 per cent of Victorians own a dog and 24 per cent own a cat, meaning more than one million households will be hit by Labor's latest tax grab.
The Allan Labor Government claims the extra revenue will fund Agriculture Victoria programs and research, despite having slashed staff numbers from the department in recent years.
This latest tax hike comes as the Financial Report for the State of Victoria 2024-25 confirmed Victoria's net debt is increasing by more than $2 million every hour.
It follows new Labor taxes on households, GP visits, school fees, rents and holidays.
Shadow Treasurer Jess Wilson said Labor's new Pet Tax shows just how out of touch the government has become.
"This is a petty cash grab on the family dog and the household cat - pure and simple."
"Victorians are already struggling with the highest taxes in the nation - and now Labor wants to tax the family pet.
"After years of waste and mismanagement, Labor's run out of money and ideas. So instead of fixing the budget, they're taxing cats and dogs.
"First it was new taxes on GP visits, school fees and rents, then a tax on every household through the Emergency Services Tax. Now, it's a Pet Tax. What's next?
"The Allan Labor Government should be focused on easing cost-of-living pressures, not making it more expensive to own a pet."
