Livestock owners, beekeepers, buyers of stock and non-farming property operators must be registered in accordance with the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (Identification and Movement of Stock and Apiaries) Regulations 2013.
The department's Brands Registration Office issues and administers these registrations.
Who needs to register?
Livestock owners and beekeepers
If you keep livestock or bees, whether they are kept as pets or for commercial purposes, you must register as an owner of livestock or a beekeeper.
The following animals are considered livestock under the BAM (IMSA) Regulations:
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*Poultry includes chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, guinea fowls, quails, pigeons, pheasants and partridges.
The requirement for poultry owners with 50 or more birds or owners of 10 or more emus and/or ostriches to register was introduced on 1 April 2022.
Buyers of stock
Buyers including stock agents, export buyers and abattoir stock buyers, who purchase livestock from a saleyard but do not know the immediate destination for the stock, may apply for a buyer identification code (BIC) as part of registering as an owner/seller of stock.
They can give their BIC to the saleyard operator for stock they purchase instead of the PIC of the destination. The agent/buyer is then responsible for transferring any stock off their BIC and onto the destination PIC within 24 hours.
Non-farming (supply chain) property operators
Under the regulations, the following are recognised as a non-farming property and require registration:
- a saleyard
- an abattoir
- an export depot
- a holding or transit yard
- a pound
- a feedlot
- a showground/event location
- a vet clinic
- any land or premises where stock are kept (other than a farming property).
Registration fees
Applications for registration or renewal as an owner of stock (including buyer identification codes), beekeeper or non-farming property operator attract a fee.
In 2024-25 the application fee is $80.36.
The following also attract a fee:
- application for transfer of identifier
- recording notice of a mortgage over stock or apiary
- application to withdraw or renew mortgage notice.
Keeping livestock or bees
Find out about the livestock ownership, identification and movement requirements or your legal obligations as a beekeeper.
Frequently asked questions
When you submit and pay for a registration application or renewal via the Brands Online Portal or submit a paper form application, your application is submitted to the Brands Registration Office for processing.
Your application is not active straight away.
When your application has been processed, you'll receive an email confirming you are registered and your hard copy certificate and PIC/BIC/Hive card will be posted to you.
If you need to move stock around the same time you register or renew your registration, please check with the Brands Registration Office to confirm the status of your application. Phone 1300 926 547 and follow the prompts.
Once your registration is processed, you'll be issued with the following registered identifiers relevant for your application type:
- stock brand
- earmark
- pig tattoo (registration number)
- hive brand for beekeepers
For applications for registration as an owner of stock, one or more property identification codes (PICs) will be issued to indicate the properties that you have nominated to run your stock on.
At completion of your registration, a registration certificate, PIC card/s (for stock) and hive brand card (for beekeeper) will be posted to you. Your certificate will also be sent by email, unless you have not provided an email in your application.
Once approved, your registration is valid for 3 years.
A renewal notice will be issued 8 weeks prior to the expiry to your recorded email address or by post.
Renew your registration via the Brands Online Portal or you can complete and return the manual form included in your renewal notice.
If your address or property details change, you are required by law to update these within 7 days for contact details, and within 2 days of your stock arriving on a property that is not registered to you.
There is no charge for these changes to be made and properties can be added or removed at any time.
You can update your contact or property details by completing a 'Notification of change of address and property details' via the Brands Online Portal or via the relevant downloadable form.
If you need to change your trading or owner name, please contact us for the requirements.