Queensland and the Northern Territory are the only two jurisdictions in Australia where branding cattle is still mandatory – and industry groups don’t want that to change.

In 2022 Western Australia moved from compulsory branding to optional to be in line with the majority of other states.

One of Riversleigh Station’s Queensland symbol brands, incorporating a turtle

However, in Qld and the NT it is still required by law with producers open to prosecution if they do not brand cattle.

In Qld the maximum penalty is 6 months imprisonment if a person sells any cattle of a live weight in excess of 100kg without a registered brand.

This is despite MLA stating on its website that branding is not the preferred method of identifying livestock, from an animal welfare perspective.

“Other methods, in particular NLIS devices such as an ear tag or rumen bolus, are preferred,” it stated.

AgForce wants branding to remain mandatory

In 2023 the previous Qld Government ran a consultation on branding and whether to keep the existing legislative requirements or make it optional allowing producers to opt-in or opt-out.

But the findings of that investigation were not published, and the laws have remained the same.

Queensland: All cattle 100 kg live weight and over must be branded before sale. The brand must be registered. Exemptions exist for registered stud cattle sold at approved stud cattle sales and cattle from another state or territory, if they are either taken directly to an abattoir or have been purchased over the scales at the feedlot in Queensland and are kept at a registered cattle feedlot in Queensland until they are slaughtered.

The only other interruption to this legislation was during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was an exemption allowing temporary branding relief for cattle producers, however that ceased in June 2023 coinciding with the scaling back of the COVID Public Health Emergency.

AgForce said it would like to see branding remain mandatory.

Lloyd Hick

“It must remain a legal and industry-supported practice to safeguard traceability, ownership, and biosecurity in Qld’s cattle industry,” said AgForce Cattle Board President, Lloyd Hick.

“Branding is a proven, practical, and reliable method of livestock identification.

“Removing it would undermine traceability, theft prevention, and practical herd management.

“Particularly in disasters, branding provides a consistent reliable method for cattle identification during recovery.”

Qld review

A spokesperson for the Qld Department of Primary Industries said the Crisafulli Government is reviewing the Brands Act 1915.

“Any potential changes to the State’s branding and earmarking legislation, including a decision on whether it should continue to be mandatory or not, will be done in consultation with stakeholders,” said the spokesperson.

“The department has also been developing a streamlined brands and earmarks Information Technology system which is expected to be released later this year.”

NTCA supports mandatory branding

The Northern Territory is the only other jurisdiction that legally requires cattle be branded.

Branding is compulsory in the NT if cattle move off the property or are sold. It is not required for cattle under 8 months of age. The brand must use the three-letter brand system, where one must be the letter T and it must be registered to the owner of the cattle and to his/her nominated property. Producers are not legally required to cross brand cattle or buffalo after they have bought them.

The NT Cattleman’s Association would also like to see branding remain mandatory.

“Branding remains the only form of permanent identification suited to the extensive, remote production systems where pastoralists manage over 620,000 square kilometres, almost half the Territory’s land mass,” said NTCA CEO Romy Carey.

The NT Minister for Agriculture has been contacted for comment.

Here’s a rundown on brand status in other states:

Western Australia: In January 2022, earmarking and branding of cattle, including buffalo was made optional. Producers who continue to earmark or brand will still be required to use the registered earmark and/or stock brand as listed on their PIC card.

South Australia: Branding is not compulsory, but the brand must be registered if used.

New South Wales: Branding is not compulsory. The brand must be registered with Local Land Services if the owner wishes to use a brand.

Australian Capital Territory: Branding is not compulsory. The brand must be registered if owner wishes to brand.

Victoria: Branding is not encouraged. There is no official brands register. Use of a firebrand leaves the owner open to prosecution on the basis that non painful alternative methods are available.

Tasmania: Branding is not compulsory, but the brand must be registered if used.