Puppy first-year planner for the Northern Territory: vaccines, worming and council rules
In the Northern Territory, registration and microchip rules are set by each council. In Darwin, for example, dogs must be registered and microchipped once they are older than 3 months. Around that sit three vaccinations between 6 and 16 weeks, regular worming and heartworm prevention.
Rules last checked 24 September 2026
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- InsuranceNow
Insure early: waiting periods start when cover does
Pet insurance doesn't pay for anything that shows signs during its waiting period. Across the six policies we compare, illness cover starts after 14 to 30 days, and cruciate ligament or hip-type conditions after 90 days to 6 months. Anything that appears before then can be excluded for life, so starting cover while your puppy is young and healthy matters more than the exact product.
- ParasitesNow
Start paralysis tick prevention if you live near the east coast
Paralysis ticks live mostly along Australia's east coast and are most active in spring and early summer. One adult tick can kill a large dog. Ask your vet which preventative suits your puppy's age and area, and feel through the coat for lumps 3 to 4 times a week, especially around the head, neck and front legs.
- Legal requirementNow
NT: check your council's dog registration rules
In the Northern Territory, dog registration and microchip rules are set by each council. In Darwin, dogs must be registered and microchipped once they are older than 3 months, and registration is renewed by 1 September. Check your council's website for local rules.
- Parasites2–24 weeks
Worm every 2 weeks, then monthly
Puppies are commonly wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old, then monthly until 6 months, then every 3 months for life. Use an all-wormer that covers roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm. Dogs on farms or near hydatid areas may need it more often.
- Vaccine6–8 weeks
First vaccination (usually C3)
Core vaccines protect against parvovirus, distemper and infectious hepatitis. The first dose is given at 6 to 8 weeks, often by the breeder before your puppy comes home, so check the vaccination card you received.
- Parasites6–12 weeks
Start heartworm prevention
Heartworm spreads through a single mosquito bite and is hard and expensive to treat. Prevention usually begins at 6 to 8 weeks with a monthly chew or spot-on, or with a yearly injection that many vets start at around 12 weeks.
- Behaviour8–14 weeks
Make the most of the socialisation window
The sensitive period for socialisation starts at about 3 weeks and begins to wane around 14 weeks. From 8 weeks, give your puppy short, positive meetings with new people, sounds, surfaces and calm vaccinated dogs. Indoor puppy classes are a safe option before vaccinations finish.
- Vaccine10–12 weeks
Second vaccination (often C5)
The next dose comes 2 to 4 weeks after the first. Many vets use a C5 here, which adds canine cough (parainfluenza and Bordetella) to the core C3.
- Vaccine16 weeks
Final puppy vaccination at 16 weeks or later
The last puppy dose should not be given before 16 weeks. In Australia, parvovirus vaccine failure is most likely in puppies whose last vaccination came earlier. In higher-risk areas, vets generally advise waiting 7 to 14 days after this dose before visiting places like dog parks.
- Vaccine26–68 weeks
First adult booster
The first adult booster is traditionally given about 12 months after the last puppy vaccination, though current guidelines allow it from 6 months of age. Your vet will then set an ongoing schedule, and an annual health check is recommended either way.