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How Much Does It Cost To Desex A Cat In Australia?

Candiece Cyrus
Forbes Staff

Published: Feb 28, 2024, 11:09am

Johanna Leggatt
editor

Edited By

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How Much Does It Cost To Desex A Cat In Australia?

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Desexing a cat also known as spaying, or an ovariohysterectomy for females and castration or neutering for males, involves removing its reproductive system to prevent it from procreating.

While it is mandatory for owners to have their cats desexed in the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia, owners in other parts of Australia may choose to do the same. Find out at what age your cat needs desexing, depending on state, how much the procedure may cost you, the discount schemes available to help with the cost and more below.

When Do I Need To Desex My Cat?

Only certain states and territories require owners, without a breeding permit, to get their cats desexed by law. Each has their own age requirement. You can find the details for where you live in the table below:


State/Territory Is Desexing Mandatory? Name of Relevant Act/Special Conditions and Requirements
ACT Yes Section 74 of the Domestic Animals Act 2000 makes it an offence to own an undesexed cat over 3 months old without a permit.
NSW No Desexing is not mandatory for cats under state legislation, although it may be a requirement of some local councils.
NT No Desexing is not mandatory for cats under state legislation, although it may be a requirement of some local councils.
QLD No Desexing is not mandatory for cats, although it may be a requirement of some local councils.
SA Yes From 1 July 2018, Section 42E of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 and the Dog and Cat Management Regulations 2017 make it an offence to own an undesexed cat over 6 months old, with limited exemptions.
TAS Yes From 1 March 2022, Section 14 of the Cat Management Act 2009 requires all cats over 4 months of age to be desexed, with limited exemptions.

VIC No Desexing is not mandatory for cats under state legislation, although it may be a requirement of some local councils.
WA Yes Section 18 of the Cat Act 2011 requires all cats over 6 months of age to be desexed, with limited exemptions.

Source: RSPCA

Why Do Owners Desex Their Cats?

Veterinary and welfare groups view desexing pet cats as a vital duty as the country works to reduce the high numbers of stray cats and cats in overburdened shelters. According to the RSPCA, thousands of cats are taken to their shelters each year. Its latest figures show it took in almost 34,000 in 2022-23.

The RSPCA urges Australians to get their cats desexed before they reach four months old.  Speaking of the procedure, Dr Sarah Zito, senior scientific officer for RSPCA Australia said: “Desexing cats before they can reproduce plays an integral role in reducing cat overpopulation.

“In addition, the extensive evidence of the benefits and safety of desexing cats before four months of age (before puberty) shows that there are also many health and welfare benefits for individual cats. RSPCA Australia advises owners to have their cats desexed before four months of age and advocates desexing of all cats before puberty as routine and normal practice.”

Not only does desexing prevent cats giving birth to unwanted litters of kittens, it may improve behaviour that could be a nuisance to their owners, such as urine spraying, roaming and fighting with other cats and getting injured. Desexed cats are also less likely to suffer diseases such as mammary cancer, and do not get uterine infections.

How Much Does Desexing A Cat Cost?

A number of factors contribute to the cost of desexing a cat. These include your location, whether you go to a veterinary clinic or a charity, and the cat’s age, size, gender and health. Spaying a female is usually more costly than neutering a male, as it requires a more complex procedure.

Desexing cats before they can reproduce plays an integral role in reducing cat overpopulation

Cats available for adoption through charities such as the RSPCA are often desexed before they are given to a new owner.

These prices from vets across the country provide an idea of what you could expect to pay:

  • Mowbray Veterinary Clinic, Tasmania: Male: $295, Female: $189.
  • Melbourne Pet Surgery, Victoria: Male: $180, Female, young: $285, mature: $315. Costs include intravenous drip fluids and take home pain relief.
  • Walkerville Vet, South Australia: Male: $153.90, Female: $349.50. Costs include an intravenous drip with M-K pain infusion, take home pain medication, a no-lick collar (except male cats) and stitch removal.
  • Brisbane Pet Surgery, Queensland: Male: $180, Female, young: $285, mature: $315. Costs include intravenous fluids and take home pain relief.
  • Tuggerah Animal Hospital, New South Wales: Male: $175, Female: $22. Cost is fixed regardless of weight, and includes pain relief before, during and following the procedure including take home pain relief. It also includes intravenous fluids and unlimited free surgical site rechecks.

Are There Any Desexing Discounts In Australia?

A number of schemes across Australia offer discounts on desexing costs. For example:

  • The Western Australian Government offers a grant, through the RSPCA, to cover 75% of the cost, at participating clinics.
  • The City of Melbourne runs a desexing voucher scheme that offers a 33% discount to those with a pharmaceutical benefits concession, health care card, health benefits card or pensioner health benefits.
  • The City of Sydney asks residents to contact the council if they have a health care card or pensioner concession, as they may qualify for a discount. It says those who do not qualify but would struggle to meet the cost can contact the RSPCA for help on 02 9770 7555. All concession card holders are offered a discount through the National Desexing Network (NDN), which they can contact on 1300 368 992.

You can find more information about the support available from the NDN where you live.

Does Cat Insurance Cover Desexing?

Comprehensive pet insurance policies can cover desexing if they extend to routine procedures. Usually, cover for such procedures is offered as an optional extra that you can bolt onto the policy, often at an additional cost. This type of cover is not typically included or offered as an add-on for accident, or accident and illness policies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is desexing a cat dangerous?

Surgical desexing is generally considered a safe routine procedure for removing a cat’s reproductive system, and can improve a cat’s behaviour and health. Though not dangerous, potential disadvantages of desexing include:

  • The procedure is permanent, and cannot be reversed if you change your mind.
  • Cats may roam less and gain weight, which can have health implications.
  • There’s a fee to pay to get your cat desexed, although discount schemes are available and certain comprehensive pet insurance policies can help cover the cost.

Do indoor cats need desexing?

In certain states and territories desexing a cat is mandatory, whether they’re indoor cats or not. Cat owners living elsewhere may choose not to do so if their feline stays indoors, but should bear in mind that cats can be quite determined animals, and find ways to escape the confines of the home.

What is the best age to desex a cat?

The best age for desexing a cat depends on its size and breed. Prepubertal desexing—desexing a cat before four months of age, or when it reaches 1kg in size—involves less risk, as the reproductive tracks are smaller in younger animals.

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Candiece Cyrus Forbes Staff

I have been writing for newspapers, magazines and online publications for over 10 years. My passion is providing, in a way that is easily accessible and digestible to all, the knowledge needed for readers to not only manage their finances, but financially flourish.