What are the laws regarding bring pets into Australia?

It sounds like your stay in Australia is quite short term. Australia is extremely strict when it comes to bringing in animals. Your pet would need a long list of innoculations and a lengthy quarintine. I highly suggest you leave your pet behind with a trusty pet-sitter. In the eyes of Australia you are importing an animal and you can find out the information here: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs It is going to be more agro to bring you dog than to sort out your own legal paperwork. And when you are 'in your job' who will be looking after your dog? He'll need a license too and I doubt you can obtain a short term license.

It's not going to be at all practical to bring him with you. If you're from the USA, he must be quarantined for at least 30 days and there are several additional testing and vaccination requirements that must be met before shipment or he could be in quarantine for even longer. It will be very difficult to visit him in quarantine - it's 40km out of Sydney with no public transport access and you can only visit in the early afternoon on two weekdays with no weekend access. http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs Even after he leaves quarantine, you'll find it hard to find accommodation where he will be allowed to live with you. There are very few apartments that will accept dogs and it's even difficult to find a rental house on a long term lease that will allow one. When it comes to short term accommodation, it's virtually impossible to find anywhere you can have a dog.