Brands in the NT

Branding cattle and horses is a clear way of identifying ownership of stock, and can also play an important role in disease control programs and chemical residue trace back programs. This is important to both consumers and producers, to maintain confidence in the safety and integrity of livestock products.

The Northern Territory Livestock Act 2008 and Livestock Regulations uses a three-letter brand system where one letter must be the letter "T" and a distinctive (symbol) brand system.

It is compulsory to brand cattle before they are moved off a property or are sold (unless they are less than 8 months of age). Brands can be used on horses, buffalo and camel but it is not compulsory.

A brand is registered to a person or company for use on a nominated NT property. This means the branding iron can only be used by the registered owner (or their representative) on the registered property.  It does not restrict branded cattle being agisted on other properties. To brand on a property not registered with the Registrar of Brands is an offence under the Livestock Act 2008 and Livestock Regulations and may incur a penalty or prosecution. 

• NT Brands Register Search Database - Allows Searches by Brand, by Owner or by Property Name.
• Fact Sheet - NT Brands Register - How to Search Database - How to use this search database.
• Fact Sheet - NT Brands Register - Search Request form - Complete this form if you wish LISA / Brands Clerk to conduct a full NT Brands Search for you (cost $32.47 per property).
• NT Brands Register - Update your Contact details - Ensure your contact details and postal details are accurate at all times. 
   
• Brands Registered Prior to 1928 Under the SA Brands Ordinance and still current
• Brands Registered with Inverted Letter 'T' and still current
• NT Police Brand, Rodeo Stock Brand and Pound Brands
• NT Camel Brands

Certificates

Once approved and processed, the registered owner is issued with a Certificate of Registration for three-letter Brand (can then apply for a Earmark and /or Distinctive (symbol) Brand if applicable). Certificate/s issued are official documents and it is your responsibility to ensure its/their safekeeping. You will be required to forward the original certificate/s to the Brands Clerk in the event of any future changes regarding the registered brand.

If certificate/s are lost or misplaced, then a Replacement Certificate can be issued at a cost of $50. 

Sale of a property

While the sale of a property may include the stock, the brand cannot be sold to the new owners.

1. If an agreement is made in the sale contract to transfer the brand to the new owners, an application to Transfer Brand must be lodged with the Registrar of Brands. 

2.  If the registered owner of the brand no longer wishes to use the brand, it may be cancelled. An Application for Cancellation of Brand must be lodged with the Registrar of Brands.

3.  If registered owner of the brand wishes to keep the brand, but move it to a new NT property, a Request to Change of Run must be lodged with the Registrar of Brands, together with original certificate/s for amending. If not registered owner of new property, Owners Permission to Use Run form required.

Fact sheets 

• Guide to Branding Livestock in the NT
• Branding Iron Requirements
• Branding Positions for Cattle and Horses
• Distinctive (symbol) Brands in the NT
• Earmarking of Cattle and Buffalo with Registered Earmarks in the NT
• Due Diligence requests - associated with the sale of pastoral properties with livestock
• Upon Sale of a Property - Brand/s & PIC

Livestock Act 2008 and  Livestock Regulations - as in force at 1 September 2009 

• NT Brands Directory - Order Form [PDF 33KB] 
  Published every 6 months - Usually January and July each year.
  Purchased from Publications Section, DRDPIFR telephone 08 8999 2313 or click on the above link to download the order form.
  Fax Order form directly to Publications Section, DRDPIFR on 08 8999 2307.

Application Forms

• Application for 3 Letter Brand for Horses, Cattle and Buffalo 
  
• 3 Letter Brands Available for Registration- as at 13th May 2009
  
• Owner's Permission to Use Run  
  
• Application for Earmark for Cattle  
  
• Application for Distinctive (Symbol) Brand for Horses and Cattle  
  
• Application for Transfer of Brand  
  
• Request to Change the Run  
  
• Request to Change the Branding position  
  
• Application for Cancellation of Brand  
  
• Search Request - Northern Territory Brands Register

You should firstly discuss your requirements / options with your Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer (RLBO)
Darwin Region - Ph: 08 8999 2030         Fax: 08 8999 2146
Katherine Region - Ph: 08 8973 9765     Fax: 08 8973 9759
Tennant Ck Region - Ph: 08 8962 4490  Fax: 08 8962 4480
Alice Springs Region - Ph: 08 8951 8125  Fax: 08 8951 8123   

Livestock Identification Systems Administrator (LISA) / Brands
GPO Box 3000, Darwin  NT  0801
E-mail: adele.kluth@nt.gov.au
Phone: (08) 8999 2033 or Fax: (08) 8999 2146