Assistance Dog Training in Melbourne & Victoria

Owner-trained assistance dog certification for Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, and regional Victoria. NDIS-approved. Delivered remotely with Public Access Test coordinated at our NSW academy or through aligned Victorian assessors.

How we work with Victorian clients

Walkys is based in NSW. We do not have a Victorian physical location. The way we serve Melbourne, Geelong, and regional Victorian handlers is through online private training sessions with Nath Morrison, paired with structured exposure work in your local environment and a coordinated Public Access Test day.

The training itself is just as effective remotely as in person for most of the program. The Initial Consultation, Suitability Test, and the bulk of private training sessions are video-based. Where in-person matters most is the final PAT assessment, which can be done in two ways for Victorian clients:

• Fly into Sydney for a coordinated PAT day at our Illawarra academy (~90 min from Sydney airport).
• Coordinate with a Victorian-based assessor where the standards align.

We'll work out the right path on your Initial Consultation.

Victorian assistance dog context

Victoria operates under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and recognises assistance dogs trained to appropriate standards. Federally, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 protects assistance dog handlers across Australia, including Victoria. A successfully PAT-certified Walkys assistance dog maintains public access rights nationally.

State regulations can change. We recommend confirming current Victorian requirements with your support coordinator and consulting Service Victoria or the Department of Health where access questions are specific.

The pathway

1. Initial Consultation (online via Zoom)
2. Suitability Test
3. Private Training Sessions
4. Public Training Sessions
5. Public Access Test (PAT)
6. Ongoing: Annual Reassessment

Full details on the program overview page.

NDIS funding for Victorian clients

Walkys is an NDIS-approved provider. NDIS funding does not change between states; if your plan identifies an assistance dog as reasonable and necessary support, the relevant components can typically be claimed regardless of where in Australia you live.

We work with NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed clients and provide the documentation your support coordinator will need. If you're unclear on whether your plan covers assistance dog training, raise it with your planner before booking.

What Melbourne clients commonly do

• Weekly online private training sessions during the foundation phase.
• Local in-public exposure work coached remotely by Nath.
• One or two travel-down trips during the program for hands-on intensive work.
• Coordinated PAT assessment, either in NSW or with a Victorian assessor.

How to start

Book your Initial Consultation →

Or book a free 30-minute call first.

Related

Full program overview | Psychiatric Assistance Dog | Autism Assistance Dog | NDIS Funding Guide