Branding cattle and horses

Branding and earmarking submissions

You must consider the following submission information when applying for a brand or earmark:

Email all brand and earmark applications to brands@dpi.qld.gov.au.
Do not enter credit card details on the application form.
Payments are processed via BPoint. You will be contacted by a member of staff regarding payment when your application is being processed.
There is currently a 40-working-day turnaround period for all applications.

Cattle must be branded when they are offered for sale 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 brand after you have it registered.

This guide provides information about branding cattle and horses and earmarking cattle in Queensland. It covers how to register a brand or earmark, change ownership and submit your annual returns.

Types of cattle and horse brands

Branding and earmarking submissions

You must consider the following submission information when applying for a brand or earmark:

Email all brand and earmark applications to brands@dpi.qld.gov.au.
Do not enter credit card details on the application form.
Payments are processed via BPoint. You will be contacted by a member of staff regarding payment when your application is being processed.
There is currently a 40-working-day turnaround period for all applications.

Cattle and horse brands are registered for use on either cattle or horses. Brands can only be registered to a person or business (entity), not a property.

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 brand.

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. 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 image. There are multiple standard additions you can choose from.

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

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).

Note: 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.

Brands are registered to a person or business, not a property. The brand must not be the same or similar to an adjoining neighbour's registered brand.

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

Branding and earmarking submissions

You must consider the following submission information when applying for a brand or earmark:

Email all brand and earmark applications to brands@dpi.qld.gov.au.
Do not enter credit card details on the application form.
Payments are processed via BPoint. You will be contacted by a member of staff regarding payment when your application is being processed.
There is currently a 40-working-day turnaround period for all applications.

Applying for a brand

To apply, submit your completed application for a cattle and horse brand and/or earmark with the correct fee.

Applications are processed in the order we receive them and only if they have been fully completed. Include the property identification code (PIC) with your application.

When the brand has been 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.

Also consider...

Use the Brands database (iBrands) to submit your brand or earmark application or search registration details.
Find out about the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Read the Brands Act 1915.
Phone our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 for more information.

Physical description of cattle and horse symbol brands

Standard additions are applied to symbol brands so that more than one brand owner may register the same 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, you must indicate that on the transfer form.

Transferring a cattle earmark

Cattle earmarks can only be transferred in association with their registered 3-piece brand. The earmark cannot be transferred out of the original earmark district it was registered. It must be cancelled and reapplied for in the new district.

The earmark will only be registered to the applicant if it hasn't already been registered to another person in that district.

Also consider...

Use the Brands database (iBrands) to submit your brand or earmark application or search registration details.
Find out about the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Read the Brands Act 1915.
Phone our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 for more information.

Submitting annual returns for cattle and horses

If you own a registered cattle or horse brand, or registered cattle earmark, you must complete a brands 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.

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

When brand or earmark details are unchanged

If your details haven't changed, you may submit your return by 1 of these methods:

online using the Brands database (iBrands) – you will also need your PIC number or certificate number of the registered brand
complete the brands return form (PDF, 571KB), then print and mail your form to:

Brands Registrar
GPO Box 46
BRISBANE QLD 4001

brands@dpi.qld.gov.au

lodge at your local Department of Primary Industries office—you will also need your PIC number or certificate number of the registered brand.

For further assistance, contact the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23, or (07) 3404 6999 for interstate callers.

When your details have changed

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

Important brand updates

Transfers – brands and earmarks are not automatically transferred by a property sale or by a 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.

Change of address – owners of brands 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.

Change of contact details – owners of brands or earmarks 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.

Change of name – if you are an owner or part owner and have legally changed your name, you should notify the Registrar of Brands. 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.

Relinquishment of guardianship or trusteeship – if you wish to cancel a guardianship or trusteeship 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 of age. No fee applies.

Notification of death – there is no legal requirement to notify the Registrar of Brands in the event of a death. You only need to advise us about a death if you intend to transfer the brand—read the Transfers information above.

Cancellation – if you no longer wish to retain registration of a brand, complete a cancellation authority form (PDF, 225KB). Where there is more than 1 owner of the brand, all owners must sign the 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.

Also consider...

Use the Brands database (iBrands) to submit your brand or earmark application or search registration details.
Find out about the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Read the Brands Act 1915.
Phone our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 for more information.