Branding cattle and horses

Reminders for brand and earmark applications

Email all brand and earmark applications to brands@dpi.qld.gov.au.
Brands and earmarks must be associated with a property identification code (PIC) of intended use.
Do not enter credit card details on the application form.
Payments are processed via BPoint. We will contact you about payment before your application is processed.
There is currently a turnaround period of 40 working days for all applications.

Cattle must be branded when they are sold in Queensland.

Exemptions exist for any of the following:

registered stud cattle sold at approved stud cattle sales
cattle under 100kg live weight
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.

Branding of horses is optional in Queensland.

You may only use the a brand on livestock after you have it registered and have received your certificate of registration.

Types of cattle and horse brands

Cattle and horse brands are registered for use on either cattle or horses. Brands are registered to an individual or entity. When an animal is branded with a legally registered brand, this entity may be used to show legal ownership.

Types of brands

There are 2 types of brands that can be used on cattle and horses:

three-piece brand
symbol brand.

Three-piece brand

The Brands Act 1915 defines the shape, size and composition of all 3-piece horse and cattle brands in Queensland. The different types of 3-piece brands that may be registered are described by series.

All 3-piece brands with a sideways letter must have the sideways letter permanently affixed to another character in the branding iron.

All characters in a 3-piece brand:

must have a face depth between 30mm and 65mm (face depth refers to the height of the character)
may be imprinted either vertically or horizontally in any of the prescribed positions. When branding vertically, the brand must remain in its original horizontal format and be rotated clockwise to 90 degrees.

View images and descriptions of the 3-piece horse and cattle brand series.

Symbol brand

You must have a registered 3-piece brand to register a symbol brand. Once registered, it may be used in addition to, or instead of, your registered 3-piece brand.

A symbol brand may be any free-form shape that is not too similar to any registered brand in the same locality as the brand applied for is likely to be used. The symbol should not be so complex that it is likely to be blotched.

Symbol brands must consist of no more than 3 elements (e.g. letters, numbers, characters, addition, shapes or other distinguishing features).

Three elements in a straight row are not permitted (unless it is an addition vertically placed next to the design) to ensure symbols are distinct from 3-piece brands.

The registrar may request applicants to seek written approval from a brand manufacturer to confirm that the proposed design can be made effectively.

Search the Brands database (iBrands) for registered brands.

All symbol brands must include a:

dot to the right of, and in line with, the lower part of the symbol
we suggest adding a standard addition—these are applied to symbol brands so that more than one brand owner may register the same or similar image. There are multiple standard additions you can choose from.

View images and descriptions of cattle and horse symbol brand additions.

The symbol brand design should be submitted in a digital image format (preferably GIF format) that is black on a white background and suitable to be printed on the certificate. The digital image must be created using graphic design software or tools that produce clear and precise designs.

Hand-drawn designs, including those created on digital devices, will not be accepted.

Symbol branding iron

The face depth of a symbol branding iron must be between 30mm and 80mm (face depth refers to the height of the character).

Cattle branding positions

The first brand may be placed on any of the following positions:

neck
rump
shoulder
thigh
twist (the upper rear portion of the animal's hind leg between the pin bone and the hock).

It is illegal to place a brand on the ribs or cheek of cattle.

Cattle branding positions

Horse branding positions

The first brander on horses may imprint the registered 3-piece brand on any of the following positions:

quarter
shoulder
thigh.

Age numerals and stud references

Stud, age or herd book reference numbers may be imprinted by the person first branding an animal on any of the prescribed positions.

These brand numerals are not registered under the Brands Act 1915.

The numerals or references may be imprinted on any of the prescribed positions or below an imprinted brand for both horse and cattle. If it is imprinted below an imprinted brand, it must be imprinted at the same angle and directly beneath the previous brand at a distance of between 35mm and 65mm.

Cross-branding rules

It is not compulsory to cross-brand purchased stock. If you choose to, there are rules to follow to make sure you cross-brand correctly.

Your registered cattle and horse brand may only be imprinted on previously branded cattle or horses if one of the following occurs:

the brand is placed in any of the prescribed positions shown in the diagrams
if it is imprinted in the same position as the first brand, it must be placed at the same angle and immediately beneath the last brand, not closer than 35mm or more than 65mm.

How to register a brand

Your brand must be registered before it can be legally used in Queensland.

In Queensland, all properties where livestock are kept must have a property identification code (PIC) allocated by Biosecurity Queensland. When registering, transferring or updating property details for a brand or earmark, you must provide the PIC where the brand or earmark is intended to be used.

The brand must not be the same or similar to an adjoining neighbour's registered brand.

Reminders for brand and earmark applications

Email all brand and earmark applications to brands@dpi.qld.gov.au.
Brands and earmarks must be associated with a property identification code (PIC) of intended use.
Do not enter credit card details on the application form.
Payments are processed via BPoint. We will contact you about payment before your application is processed.
There is currently a turnaround period of 40 working days for all applications.

Step 1: Submit your application

Complete the application form in full and submit it using one of these options:

Email brands@dpi.qld.gov.au
In person at a Department of Primary Industries (DPI) office
Post to

Licensing and Transaction Unit
Department of Primary Industries
GPO Box 46
BRISBANE QLD 4001

Step 2: Application review

Once received, your application will be checked for completeness. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned to you for correction.

You can only register a symbol brand if you have a 3-piece brand registered.

Include the PIC with your application to make sure your earmark is established in the correct district. In Queensland, all properties where livestock are kept must have a PIC allocated by Biosecurity Queensland.

When registering, transferring or updating property details for an earmark, you must provide the PIC where the earmark is intended to be used.

Step 3: Payment request

If your application is complete, you will receive a payment request. Note that payment is required before the processing of your application can begin.

Payment does not guarantee the approval or registration of your brand.

Applications are processed in the order we receive them and only if they have been fully completed and the correct fee has been paid.

Step 4: Approval

When your application is approved, you will be issued a registration certificate.

Branding irons

It is your responsibility to organise and pay for the branding iron. Branding irons must be made to the exact shape shown on the certificate of registration.

When buying, you must provide a copy of your certificate of registration to the manufacturer/supplier. You can search the Brands database (iBrands) for your registration details.

More information

Use the Brands database (iBrands) to search registration details.
Find out about the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Read the Brands Act 1915.
Contact us online, by phone or in person.

Physical description of cattle and horse symbol brands

Symbol brands must be easily described in as few words as possible to ensure they can be communicated clearly and searched in the database.

The written description does not need to include the dot to the right of the brand.

The registrar's decision of the written description is final.

Standard additions may be applied to symbol brands so that more than one brand owner may register the same or similar image. There are multiple standard additions you can choose from.

Registration of a symbol brand will depend on which addition is available to add to the image and whether the brand may blotch when applied to the animal.

Image features visual representations and description of horse and cattle symbol brands. For more information contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Three-piece cattle and horse brand series

The Brands Act 1915 defines the shape, size and composition of all three-piece horse and cattle brands in Queensland.

The different types of 3-piece brands that may be registered are described by series. A 3-piece brand must not be similar to another registered 3-piece brand in the same locality as the brand applied for is likely to be used.

Changing ownership of cattle or horse brands and earmarks

You must transfer a brand or earmark when its ownership changes. For example:

the company or trust that owns the registered brand or earmark is dissolved
a part owner is added or removed
the guardian of a minor changes to another guardian, or a guardian is added or removed.

Apply to transfer ownership

Before submitting your application form to transfer a brand or earmark, you must ensure:

All signatures are witnessed by one of the following
- justice of the peace (JP)
- solicitor
- barrister
- legal practitioner
- Commissioner of the Supreme Court.
Witnesses include their position(s) on the form.
A JP provides their name and Seal number for the signature to be accepted.
All signatures are dated and witnesses sign on the same date as the applicant(s).
All current registered owners have signed the form.
All new owners have signed the form.
If an owner is deceased, the executor or administrator of their estate has signed the form and stated their capacity as executor or administrator.
If the owner is a company, the company secretary and director have signed, or 2 directors, or a sole director—they must also state their position(s) on the form.
When transferring a brand or earmark, you must provide the property identification code (PIC) where it is intended to be used (in Queensland, all properties where livestock are kept must have a PIC allocated by Biosecurity Queensland).

You must also provide any necessary documents with your transfer application form if:

someone holds a power of attorney—forward a copy of the power of attorney document
a brand is being transferred to a trust—provide a copy of the trust papers.

Step 1: Submit your application

Complete the transfer application form in full and submit it using one of these options:

Email brands@dpi.qld.gov.au
In person at a Department of Primary Industries (DPI) office
Post to

Licensing and Transaction Unit
Department of Primary Industries
GPO Box 46
BRISBANE QLD 4001

Step 2: Application review

Once received, your application will be checked for completeness. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned to you for correction.

Step 3: Payment request

If your application is complete, you will receive a payment request. Please note that payment is required before the processing of your application can begin.

Payment does not guarantee the approval or registration of your brand.

Applications are processed in the order we receive them and only if they have been fully completed and the correct fee has been paid.

Step 4: Approval

When the transfer has been approved, you will be issued a registration certificate.

Transferring a cattle or horse symbol brand separately

When a brand is transferred, a symbol brand that is registered with that brand will also be transferred unless the person requesting the transfer specifies differently.

If you want to transfer a symbol brand separately (to another 3-piece brand), you must indicate that on the transfer application form.

Transferring a cattle earmark

When a brand is transferred, any associated earmarks are automatically transferred unless the:

person specifies differently
or
earmark district has changed.

An earmark cannot be transferred out of the original earmark district it was registered. It must be cancelled and reapplied for in the new district (a new registration fee applies). The earmark will only be registered to the applicant if it hasn't already been registered to another person in that district.

If you want to transfer an earmark separately (to another 3-piece brand), you must indicate that on the transfer application form. The earmark must still remain in the district it was originally registered in.

More information

Use the Brands database (iBrands) to search registration details.
Find out about the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Read the Brands Act 1915.
Contact us online, by phone or in person.

Submitting annual returns for cattle and horses

If you own a registered cattle or horse brand, or registered cattle earmark, you must complete a brand return in January every year.

If you do not submit a return for 3 consecutive years, your brand (and associated symbols and marks) may be cancelled.

Review your current details

Before submitting, registered owners should check that their registration details are correct by using the Brands database (iBrands) and searching My Brands.

Brand returns must be completed by a registered owner of the brand or earmark.

No changes needed

If your details haven't changed, submit your return using either of these methods:

online Brands database (iBrands)—you will need your PIC or certificate number of the registered brand
brands return form—complete and return it using one of these options
- Email brands@dpi.qld.gov.au
- In person at a Department of Primary Industries (DPI) office
- Post to
  
  Brands Registrar
  Department of Primary Industries
  GPO Box 46
  BRISBANE QLD 4001.

Changes are needed

If your details have changed, use the Brands database (iBrands), go to My Brands and use the 'change of details' option.

- Brands and earmarks are not automatically transferred by a property sale or Will.
- When you intend to change ownership of a brand or earmark, you must lodge an application to transfer a brand or earmark form.
- A fee applies.
- Brand owners are required to notify the Registrar of Brands of any change of property address or district to which the brand is registered.
- You can notify us by email or go to My Brands and add your brand and certificate number to see your records. Then click on 'change of details' and update your address details.
- No fee applies.
- Brand or earmark owners should notify the Registrar of Brands of any changes to contact details.
- You can notify us by email or go to My Brands and add your brand and certificate number to see your records. Then click on 'change of details' and update your contact details.
- No fee applies.
- If you are an owner or part owner and have legally changed your name, you can update your registration.
- You can notify us by email or go to My Brands and add your brand and certificate number to see your records. Then click on 'change of details' and update your name details.
- No fee applies.
- If you wish to cancel a guardianship in connection with a brand, you can notify us by email or go to My Brands and add your brand and certificate number to see your records. Then click on 'change of details' and relinquish guardianship.
- It is usual to cancel a guardianship when the person involved reaches 18 years.
- No fee applies.

- A brand or earmark registered in the name of a deceased person must not be used on livestock once the estate has been finalised.
- When the estate has been finalised, executors of the deceased and any other registered owners must transfer the brand or earmark to include only living registered owners
- If you no longer wish to retain registration of a brand or any associated symbol brands or earmarks, complete a cancellation authority form.
- If the owner is deceased, the executors or administrators of the estate must sign the form.
- No fee applies.

How we use annual brand returns

These returns are used to:

update the brands register
identify brands being incorrectly used
allow cancellation of brands no longer in use so they can be reissued to other applicants
check that earmarks are being used in the correct district for which they are registered
check that the brand is correctly registered
identify the need for a transfer, change of address or name, or other action as necessary.

More information

Use the Brands database (iBrands) to search registration details.
Find out about the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Read the Brands Act 1915.
Contact us online, by phone or in person.