24/7 cat containment in the Shire of Nillumbik.

Yes. Nillumbik brought in a 24/7 cat confinement order that started on 30 September 2025, so your cat has to stay on your property at all times unless it is securely confined, for example in a carrier or on a lead. There is an education-focused transition period running until October 2027 while households adjust. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to meet this, letting your cat enjoy fresh air and sunshine while staying safely on your land.

Yes. If your cat is three months or older it must be registered with Nillumbik Shire Council. Registration runs on a yearly cycle from 10 April to 9 April, so it is renewed each April. As at 1 July 2026 the cat fee is $64.20, or $32.10 on the concession rate for Pensioner Concession or Veterans' Gold Card holders, but council fees are reviewed every year so check the current amount.

Yes to both. Nillumbik will only register a cat that is microchipped and desexed, and you need to show proof of each. Desexing exemptions are limited, mainly to registered breeders. The Cat Protection Society runs subsidised desexing for eligible card holders if cost is a concern.

You can keep up to two cats that are three months or older without a permit. If you want more than two, you need to apply to the council for a permit first. The same two-pet rule applies to dogs.

You do not need an animal permit to build a cat enclosure, and the council actually encourages enclosures and cat-proof fencing to help meet the confinement rules. A building permit is usually not required for a small, low structure, commonly under 10 square metres and 3 metres high, though that is not guaranteed. Much of Nillumbik sits in the green wedge with bushfire and environmental overlays, so a planning permit can come into play. Have a quick chat with the council before you build.

Most modest cat runs sit under the thresholds that trigger a building permit, generally around 10 square metres of floor area and 3 metres in height, but boundary setbacks and your property's overlays can change that. Nillumbik has a lot of Bushfire Management, Environmental Significance and Significant Landscape overlays across its green wedge land. The safest move is a quick call to the council's planning team to confirm what applies to your block.

Under the confinement order your cat is not allowed to roam off your property, and a wandering cat can be picked up by the council's animal management officers. You may need to collect it and could face a penalty, particularly once the transition period ends in 2027. A secure cat enclosure or a cat-proof yard keeps your cat home and keeps you on the right side of the rules.

Yes, though it pays to sort a couple of things first. If you rent, get your landlord's or agent's okay before adding anything fixed, and a freestanding or removable cat run is often the easiest option. In a unit or apartment a secure balcony enclosure or window space works well, and body corporate approval may be needed, so check your building's rules.

A fully enclosed catio keeps your cat safely on your property, which is exactly what containment rules ask for, while still giving them fresh air and the sounds and smells of outside. We build a range of escape-proof enclosures, from a discreet patio catio to a side run or netting over the whole backyard, so there's an option to suit your home. Build a quote to get started.

Yes, we build custom catios right across greater Melbourne, including the Shire of Nillumbik. If you're not sure you're in range, get in touch and we'll let you know.

Always confirm the current rules with the council directly via the Shire of Nillumbik website (opens in a new tab). The guide above is research we've collated to help you get started, not legal advice, see the note at the foot of this page.