Bark Collars in Australia: The Law and Evidence

The short answer

Bark collars punish a dog for barking with an electric shock (often called static), a spray (usually citronella), a vibration or an ultrasonic sound. Using an electric collar on a dog is illegal in New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT; Victoria allows authorised anti-bark collars only after a vet examination and under strict conditions; Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory allow certain electric collars under conditions set in their regulations; and Queensland has no specific ban. RSPCA Australia opposes shock, spray, ultrasonic and other aversive collars, and the Australian Veterinary Association says collars designed to inflict pain, discomfort or fear should not be used on dogs. A collar does not fix why a dog barks. Find the cause (boredom, fear, a trigger, separation anxiety, pain) and treat that, with your vet's help if needed.

A calm adult rescue dog wearing a plain flat collar lies on a mat inside an Australian home while its owner offers a treat — Reward-based training addresses why a dog barks; a punishment collar only targets the bark.

What is a bark collar?

A bark collar (also sold as an anti-bark or no-bark collar) is a collar that gives the dog something unpleasant when it barks, so that barking becomes something the dog wants to avoid. In training terms that is punishment. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) explains that these collars are designed to reduce or stop behaviours using the principles of punishment and negative reinforcement.

The AVA describes three ways these collars are triggered:

Anti-bark collars go off when the dog barks, sensed by a microphone, a vibration sensor or both. Many give a warning beep first.
Remote training collars are set off by a person with a hand-held remote.
Containment (“invisible fence”) collars go off when the dog nears a boundary wire.

This guide is about the first type, but the law usually treats all electric collars together.

What types of bark collar are there?

The AVA says remote collars may deliver an electronic stimulation, a squirt of an unpleasant odour (citronella, lemon juice), a puff of air or an ultrasonic tone. In plain terms:

Type	What it does	What welfare and vet bodies note
Electronic (shock or “static”)	Delivers an electric stimulus to the neck when the dog barks	AVA: from a prickling sensation at low levels to pain and emotional distress at high levels, and the same setting can feel different from day to day. Illegal in NSW, SA and the ACT.
Spray (usually citronella)	Sprays a scent at the dog's face when it barks	AVA: should not be used. RSPCA Australia opposes scent-based aversive collars, including citronella collars.
Vibration	Vibrates on the neck when the dog barks; some electric collars also vibrate as a warning first	Agriculture Victoria notes electric collars may give a vibratory warning before the stimulus. Works the same way: by making barking unpleasant.
Ultrasonic	Emits a high-pitched sound, mostly above human hearing, when the dog barks	RSPCA Australia opposes devices that emit ultrasonic or high-pitched sounds.

Sources: AVA policy on behaviour-modifying collars; RSPCA Policy A7; Agriculture Victoria. Described generically; we do not review or link to products.

One practical problem shared by every type: a collar that reacts to sound or vibration can go off at the wrong time. The AVA notes that a dog's experience of the stimulus varies between dogs and between days, and that some dogs find it mildly irritating while others become fearful.

Are electric bark collars legal? State by state

Animal welfare law is made by each state and territory, so the answer depends on where you live. This table summarises what each Act, regulation or official government page says, as we read them on 11 November 2026. It is about electric collars; spray, vibration-only and ultrasonic collars are not covered by these electric-device rules, but general cruelty laws apply to every collar in every state.

State or territory	Electric bark collar on a pet dog	What the law or official page says
New South Wales	Illegal	Section 16 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 makes it an offence to use, sell or possess a prescribed electrical device. RSPCA NSW says this covers electric collars, otherwise known as shock or barking collars, Schedule 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2025 allows a canine invisible boundary only for confining dogs inside a fence they cannot pass through that is at least 1.5 metres high.
Victoria	Allowed only under strict conditions	Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019, only authorised collars meeting approved technical standards may be used. A vet must first examine the dog's health and temperament and believe it is suitable; the dog must be over 6 months; the collar cannot be worn more than 12 hours in any 24; the dog must be introduced to it under the Code of Practice; and an anti-bark collar may only be used by, or under the written instructions and supervision of, a vet or qualified dog trainer, with reviews within 6 months and then at least every 12 months. (Agriculture Victoria; Code of Practice)
Queensland	No specific ban	The Queensland Government's prohibited devices page lists prong collars (banned since amendments commenced on 12 December 2022) and does not list electric collars. The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 treats using an electrical device prescribed by regulation as cruelty, and the Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2023 prescribes only an electrical prod used on horses. The Act still makes causing an animal unjustifiable, unnecessary or unreasonable pain an act of cruelty.
Western Australia	Allowed under a regulation defence	The Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2003 prescribe electric shock devices (other than electric fences) as inhumane, but regulation 7 provides a defence for an electric training collar activated by the dog or a person in the course of training a dog, used in accordance with the generally accepted method of usage for that type of collar.
South Australia	Illegal	Regulation 8 of the Animal Welfare Regulations 2012 (made under section 15 of the Animal Welfare Act 1985) says a person must not use an electrical device capable of producing an electrical stimulus to an animal, except in approved research or an approved virtual fencing system for cattle.
Tasmania	Allowed under conditions	Section 8 of the Animal Welfare Act 1993 makes it cruelty to apply or expose an electronic device to an animal in the course of any sport or public performance, or in training for one, and bans pronged collars. Regulation 10 of the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2026 (in effect since 19 August 2026, says NRE Tasmania) says an electronic collar must be fitted to the manufacturer's specifications and instructions, be in good working order and free from defect, give an auditory warning before a shock, and not be used for more than 12 hours in any 24; it must not be used on a whelping dog or a vulnerable dog, which includes a puppy under 4 months, a lactating bitch or one in advanced pregnancy, and a dog that is ill, injured or needs special medical care.
ACT	Illegal	Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 1992 makes it an offence to place on or attach to an animal a device able to administer an electric shock, even if something needs to happen or be done first; the Act's examples include a collar that shocks by remote control or near a boundary, and a collar with a setting that can be turned off and on. ACT City Services also warns that a remote e-collar can cause fear and aggression.
Northern Territory	Allowed, except remote-controlled	The Animal Protection Regulations 2022 (Schedule 2) allow an electric training collar (excluding a collar operated by a remote control device) to be used on dogs for training, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, but not against the face, anus or genitals or on a dog under 3 months old. Using it any other way is prescribed as cruelty.

Read from each Act, regulation or official government page on 11 November 2026. Laws change: check the current version and your state's animal welfare authority. Not legal advice. “Allowed” means not prohibited by a specific electric-device rule; it is not a recommendation.

The RSPCA Knowledgebase keeps a similar table, marked as current to 19 December 2022; the table above was checked against the legislation itself. Where electric collars are banned, so is putting one on your dog “just in case”: in the ACT the offence covers a collar with a setting that can be turned off and on, and in NSW possession alone is an offence.

What does RSPCA Australia say about bark collars?

RSPCA Australia is opposed to them, including the non-electric kinds. In its companion animal management policy it says it is opposed to the import, sale, or use of equipment used to modify the behaviour of a companion animal that is inhumane, causes injury, pain, suffering or distress, or can be used to abuse animals, including:

“devices which deliver electric shocks or stimuli, such as ‘anti-barking collars’ and ‘virtual fences’”
“collars that deliver aversive stimuli such as sound or scent, including ‘citronella collars’ and devices which emit ultrasonic or high-pitched sounds”
pronged or pinch collars, anti-barking muzzles, and choke chain or correction collars.

On electric collars specifically, the RSPCA Knowledgebase says their use in dogs is associated with physical harm (discomfort, pain, injury), mental harm (fear, anxiety, phobia, learned helplessness), damage to the human-animal bond, and a public health risk of dog bites, because punishment-based methods can provoke fear-related aggression towards people. It adds that there is no evidence punishment-based methods such as electric shock are more effective than reward-based methods, and that there is evidence reward-based training is more effective while posing fewer welfare risks.

On barking in particular, RSPCA Australia's advice says punishment such as yelling, spraying water or anti-bark collars may stop barking temporarily but often makes the problem worse, because these methods can increase fear, anxiety and even aggression.

What does the Australian Veterinary Association say?

The AVA's policy on behaviour-modifying collars (ratified 15 July 2022) states:

“Collars designed to inflict pain, discomfort or fear to achieve behavioural change should not be used on dogs. Examples include electronic collars, citronella and choke collars. Positive reinforcement training of dogs renders the use of such equipment unnecessary.”

The policy also says:

Barking is a normal behaviour of dogs, used for alerting, warning and attention-seeking, and can also be excessive and related to a behavioural illness.
Remote collars are most commonly used to control excessive barking and escaping, but this use does not address the root cause of the problem.
All collars designed to reduce behaviours through punishment or negative reinforcement bring a risk of long-term negative behavioural effects, such as aggression or compulsive behaviours, and poor welfare, but not necessarily any long-term behavioural benefit.
Owners having difficulty with barking should seek help from vets or qualified force-free positive-reinforcement trainers, and dogs that do not improve with correctly delivered positive reinforcement training should be checked by a vet for an undiagnosed health problem.

The one area where the AVA allows an exception is invisible fence containment collars, and only where they increase the dog's safety and welfare (for example, keeping a rural dog off a road), with a visible boundary marker and close monitoring. That exception does not extend to bark collars.

Why does the underlying cause matter?

Because barking is a symptom. The RSPCA Knowledgebase says excessive barking is usually an indicator of something underneath: pain, fear or distress, a trigger such as passers-by or other dogs barking, or unmet needs such as too little exercise, mental stimulation or company. A collar targets the bark and leaves the cause in place. Some examples of what that looks like:

A bored dog left alone all day may stop barking and start digging, chewing or escaping instead, because the need is still there.
A fearful dog barking at people walking past may learn that people predict pain, which can make it more afraid of people, not less. RSPCA Australia points to evidence that punishment can provoke fear-related aggression.
A dog with separation anxiety is already distressed. RSPCA Australia calls separation anxiety a mental health issue that requires veterinary treatment; adding punishment to distress does not treat it.
A dog in pain needs a vet, not a collar.

That is why both RSPCA Australia and the AVA point owners to their vet and to reward-based help first.

What works instead?

Our barking dogs guide covers this in full. In short:

Keep a barking diary or record the dog while you are out. When, where, at what.
See your vet to rule out pain or illness, especially if the barking is new.
Meet the dog's needs: more exercise, food puzzles, training games, company or a dog walker.
Manage triggers: block the view of the footpath, bring the dog in at busy times.
Reward quiet and teach a calm alternative. Do not yell; RSPCA Australia says a dog can take shouting as attention.
If it happens when the dog is alone, read our separation anxiety guide and talk to your vet.
Get professional help from a reward-based trainer or a veterinary behaviourist if it persists.

If a neighbour has complained, telling them and the council what you are doing helps. Our barking guide also explains how complaints work in each state. If cost is a barrier, our cheap vet care guide lists charity clinics and concession options.

Adopting a dog? Ask about barking first

The easiest bark problem to solve is the one you plan for. If you adopt an adult dog from a rescue, someone has usually already lived with it. Ask the rescue or foster carer whether the dog barks at the fence, at visitors, or when left alone, and what has helped. A newly adopted dog may also be unsettled in the first weeks; that is not always a long-term problem, and our guide to a rescue dog's first weeks covers what to expect.

If you live close to neighbours or are out for long days, look at our calm dog breeds and best apartment dogs guides, and take the adoption readiness check, which asks about time alone.

More Australian dog care guides

Find a dog near you

Each page lists the dogs currently with the rescues we aggregate in that city, refreshed regularly. Calmer adult dogs are often the easiest fit where noise matters; ask the rescue how each dog behaves at home.

Frequently asked questions

Are bark collars legal in Australia?▼

It depends on the type and the state. Using an electric (shock) collar on a dog is prohibited in New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT. Victoria allows authorised anti-bark collars only under strict conditions, including a vet examination first. Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory allow certain electric collars under conditions in their regulations (Tasmania bans electronic devices outright only in sport, public performance and training for them), and Queensland has no specific ban. Cruelty laws apply everywhere.

Are shock collars illegal in NSW?▼

Yes. Section 16 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 makes it an offence to use, sell or possess a prescribed electrical device, and RSPCA NSW says this covers electric collars, including barking collars. Under Schedule 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2025, a canine invisible boundary is allowed only for confining dogs inside a fence the dog cannot pass through that is at least 1.5 metres high.

Can I use a bark collar in Victoria?▼

Only an authorised one, and only if every condition is met. Agriculture Victoria says a vet must first examine the dog's health and temperament and believe it is suitable, the dog must be over 6 months old, the collar cannot be worn more than 12 hours in any 24, the dog must be introduced to it under the Code of Practice, and use must be by or under the written supervision of a vet or qualified dog trainer, with regular reviews.

Are citronella bark collars legal?▼

Citronella spray collars are not electric devices, so the electric-collar bans do not name them; Agriculture Victoria says its electronic collar definition does not include a collar that only emits a scented spray. That is not an endorsement. RSPCA Australia opposes collars that deliver aversive stimuli such as sound or scent, including citronella collars, and the Australian Veterinary Association says citronella collars should not be used on dogs.

What does RSPCA Australia say about bark collars?▼

RSPCA Australia opposes them. Its policy says it is opposed to the import, sale or use of devices that deliver electric shocks or stimuli such as anti-barking collars, and collars that deliver aversive sound or scent, including citronella and ultrasonic devices. It says shock collars are associated with physical harm, fear, anxiety and learned helplessness, damage to the human-animal bond and a public health risk of dog bites.

What does the Australian Veterinary Association say?▼

The AVA's policy says collars designed to inflict pain, discomfort or fear to achieve behavioural change should not be used on dogs, naming electronic, citronella and choke collars, and that positive reinforcement training makes such equipment unnecessary. It also says dogs should be assessed by a vet if their behaviour does not improve with appropriately applied positive reinforcement training.

Do bark collars work?▼

They can suppress barking for a while but do not address why the dog barks. RSPCA Australia says punishment such as anti-bark collars may stop barking temporarily but often makes the problem worse by increasing fear, anxiety and even aggression. The AVA notes barking-triggered collars are mostly used for excessive barking but that this use does not address the root cause of the problem.

Are vibration or ultrasonic collars a kinder option?▼

Not according to Australia's main welfare and vet bodies. RSPCA Australia opposes devices that deliver electric shocks or stimuli and those that emit ultrasonic or high-pitched sounds, and the AVA lists ultrasonic tones among the stimuli remote collars deliver. Any collar that works by making barking unpleasant is still punishment, and the barking will return if the reason for it has not been dealt with.

Can a bark collar make a dog aggressive?▼

It can raise the risk. RSPCA Australia cites evidence that punishment-based methods can provoke fear-related aggression towards people, and the AVA says collars that rely on punishment or negative reinforcement carry a risk of long-term negative behavioural effects such as aggression or compulsive behaviours. A dog punished every time it barks at people walking past may come to associate people with the punishment rather than learn to stop barking.

Can I use a bark collar on a puppy?▼

No reputable Australian body recommends it. In Victoria an authorised electric collar cannot be used on a dog 6 months old or younger, Tasmania bans electric collars on puppies under 4 months, and the Northern Territory bans electric training collars on dogs under 3 months. Puppies bark for the same reasons adult dogs do, and the critical early months are the time to teach quiet and calm behaviour with rewards.

What should I use instead of a bark collar?▼

Find and fix the reason your dog barks. Keep a barking diary, see your vet to rule out pain or illness, add exercise, food puzzles and company, block the view of whatever sets the dog off, and reward quiet behaviour. If the barking happens when the dog is alone, look into separation anxiety with your vet. A reward-based trainer or veterinary behaviourist can help with stubborn cases.

Do rescues use bark collars?▼

RSPCA Australia is opposed to them and recommends reward-based training. If you adopt a dog that barks, ask the rescue or foster carer what triggers it and what has helped, and whether they offer behaviour support after adoption.

Sources

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