Brand and identify livestock

The sale of a property may include the stock but it does not automatically transfer ownership of the brand.

If a property's ownership has changed because its been sold it or by will, registered brand owners must either:

• transfer brand to new owner - if this has been agreed upon in the sale contract
• cancel brand - if you no longer wish the brand to be used
• change brand's nominated property - if you wish to move the brand to a new property:
  • if you're not the owner of the new property, the property owner must submit this request.

If you're a new property owner, you should search the NT brands register to confirm what brands are registered for use on your property.

If you don't want to have a brand registered for use on your property, you can revoke permission to use a run.

See below for all processes.

Transferring a three-letter brand automatically includes any associated distinctive (symbol) brands and earmarks, unless the brand's registered owner says otherwise.

When you must transfer a brand

Instances when you must apply to transfer ownership of a brand include the following:

• you sell the property and you agree to transfer the brand to the new owners
• the registered brand owner changes their name by marriage
• the brand owner dies
• the company that owns the registered brand is dissolved
• a part owner is added or removed.

How to transfer a brand

To transfer ownership of a brand, follow these steps:

Step 1. Check the details for the registered brand owner

You can do this online by searching the NT brands register.

You can also fill in the NT brands register search form. You must submit it to the registrar and pay the fee (instructions are in the form):

NT brands register search form PDF (764.9 KB)
NT brands register search form DOCX (65.6 KB)

Step 2. Fill in the application

Fill in the application for transfer of brand.

Application for transfer of brand PDF (205.9 KB)
Application for transfer of brand DOCX (72.1 KB)

You must also include all the following information:

• the name and details of the new owner - if it is a company, you need their ABN or ACN
• names and signatures of current brand owners
• signatures of new brand owners - if a company, the directors must sign and state their position in the company - eg. director.

If a brand owner has died, the executor or administrator of their estate must sign the form, including their status as executor or administrator. You must attach a copy of the death certificate.

Step 3. Attach owner's permission to use run

The new brand owner must own the nominated property or have the permission from the property owner.

If they're not the property owner, they must fill in the owner's permission to use run form.

Attach this form to your application.

Owner's permission to use run form PDF (145.0 KB)
Owner's permission to use run form DOCX (67.5 KB)

Step 4. Attach owner's permission to use run on Aboriginal Land Trust (ALT)

If the brand is registered for use on ALT, you must attach owner's permission to use run on ALT form.

This is the form that was used to register a brand for use on Aboriginal land.

Owner's permission to use run on ALT form PDF (580.4 KB)
Owner's permission to use run on ALT form DOCX (67.8 KB)

Step 4. Pay the fee

Check the biosecurity service fees.

You can attach a cheque made out to the Receiver of Territory Monies or fill in the credit card charge details in the application.

Step 5. Submit your application

Submit your application and supporting documents to the registrar.

You must request to change the nominated property if:

• want to use your brand on a property that it's not registered to:
  • you must do this before you use the brand on the different property
• the property your brand is registered to has been sold and you want to keep the brand and move it to a new property.

To request to change the nominated property, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the request to change the run form.

Request to change the run form PDF (202.3 KB)
Request to change the run form DOCX (70.8 KB)

Step 2. Attach the original brand certificate to be amended.

Step 3. Attach owner's permission to use run form.

If you're not the owner of the other property, you must get the owner to fill in the owner's permission to use run form.

Owner's permission to use run form PDF (145.0 KB)
Owner's permission to use run form DOCX (67.5 KB)

Step 2. Submit form and supporting documents to the registrar.

Once you submit this request, it does not mean it's automatically approved.

Surrounding properties must be checked to ensure:

• none are similar or
• previously registered in the same region.

If you no longer want someone else's brand registered to your property, you can revoke permission.

To revoke permission, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the owner's permission to use run revoked form.

Owner's permission to use run revoked form PDF (174.5 KB)
Owner's permission to use run revoked form DOCX (67.2 KB)

Step 2. Submit form to the registrar.

If you want to change the position on the animal where the brand is applied, or add another one, fill in the request to change or add branding positions form and submit it to the registrar.

Request to change or add branding positions form PDF (228.0 KB)
Request to change or add branding positions form DOCX (95.5 KB)

If you want to change the position of your earmark, fill in the request to change earmark position form and submit it to the registrar.

Request to change earmark position form PDF (817.0 KB)
Request to change earmark position form DOCX (341.5 KB)

You will also need to send in your earmark branding certificate for updating.

If you lose your brand registration certificate, you must apply for a new one.

Fill in the request for replacement certificate form PDF (170.1 KB) and submit it to the registrar.

If you no longer want to keep a brand and want to cancel it, fill in the cancellation of brand form and submit it to the registrar.

When a 3 letter brand  is cancelled, the associated earmark, distinctive (symbol) brand and distinctive numerals (if applicable) are automatically cancelled along with the 3 letter brand.

Cancellation of brand form PDF (171.1 KB)
Cancellation of brand form DOCX (65.1 KB)

If you want to cancel just the distinctive (symbol) brand, fill in the application for cancellation of distinctive (symbol) brand only and submit it to the registrar.

Application for cancellation of distinctive (symbol) brand only PDF (170.3 KB)
Application for cancellation of distinctive (symbol) brand only DOCX (65.2 KB)

If you want to cancel just the registered earmark, fill in the application for cancellation of registered earmark only and submit it to the registrar.

Application for cancellation of registered earmark only PDF (169.2 KB)
Application for cancellation of registered earmark only DOCX (65.1 KB)

You must let the registrar know if your postal address changes, or the NT Brands Register does not have accurate details of your brand.

You can do this by filling in the update contact details form and submitting it to the registrar.

Update contact details form PDF (173.8 KB)
Update contact details form DOCX (67.4 KB)

If the property listed in the NT Brands Directory is no longer the property you're using your brand on, then you must fill in a request to change the run form.

Request to change the run form PDF (202.3 KB)
Request to change the run form DOCX (70.8 KB)

If the names of the registered owners of the brands have changed, then you must fill in an application for transfer of brand.

Application for transfer of brand PDF (205.9 KB)
Application for transfer of brand DOCX (72.1 KB)

Send your completed forms by mail or email to:

Brands Clerk
Livestock Biosecurity
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
GPO Box 3000
Darwin NT 0801
ntpic.brands@nt.gov.au