Assistance animals

What is an assistance animal?

According to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA), an assistance animal is a dog or other trained animal that:

• (a) is accredited under state or territory law to assist a person with a disability, helping reduce the effects of their condition;
• (b) is accredited by a recognised training organisation; or
• (c) has been trained to assist with a disability and meets the expected standards of hygiene and behaviour in public.

So, what is the difference between an Assistance Animal and an Emotional Support Animal?

While emotional support animals provide comfort, they are not trained in specific skills to help with a disability, nor are they trained to the behaviour standards required of assistance animals. Emotional support animals do not have the same access rights as assistance animals.

Bringing your assistance animal on campus

Our Accessibility and Inclusion team is here to support you in bringing your assistance animal to campus. Please provide:

• documentation confirming that your animal meets the assistance animal definition above
• a copy of the animal’s local council registration

For any questions about documentation or further information, contact us at access@csu.edu.au to arrange an appointment to speak with us.

Restricted areas for assistance animals

Assistance animals are generally welcome on campus, but certain areas may have restrictions, including food preparation spaces, certain laboratories, and biosecurity zones unless used for authorised teaching or research purposes.