Livestock and animals

Camels

Camels do not require any wildlife permits.

Property identification code

You must have a property identification code if you keep camels, regardless of the size of your property, the number of livestock you have, or if they are pets.

Read how to get a property identification code.

Moving camels

You must fill in a Northern Territory (NT) waybill if you want to move camels off the property where they are kept in the NT.

Read more about NT waybills and moving and exporting livestock.

Diseases

Both domestic and feral camels in Australia are free from most serious livestock diseases, although they carry common camel diseases which can be easily treated.

For more information get the review of camel diseases in Central Australia PDF (452.5 KB).

Read more about feral camels.

Management publications

If you want to know more about how to manage camels there are publications to help you. These include:

These publications give you general information about managing camels in the NT. If you need more specific advice you might need to speak to your local vet or a department expert.

Camel food plants in Central Australia

Camels eat more than 80% of the common plant species found in Central Australia. Some preferred plant species may need to be protected against overgrazing.

Read the Technote palatability scoring of forage plants in Central Australia PDF (105.8 KB).

Keeping pigs

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis has been detected in Australian piggeries in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.

A small number of positive cases have been detected in feral pigs in the Northern Territory. Surveillance is continuing.

Report anything suspicious in animals by calling 1800 675 888.

Find out more about Japanese encephalitis.

African swine fever

African swine fever has been confirmed in countries close to Australia including Timor Leste.

Early reporting is critical for containing the disease. Report any sick or dead pigs to your vet or by calling 1800 675 888.

Find out more about African swine fever.

There are no commercial pig farms in the Northern Territory (NT) but there are a number of hobby producers.

Many people in rural areas keep a few pigs for food or as pets in their backyard.

Caring for your pigs

If you raise pigs at home, you must meet minimum welfare requirements.

The Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Pigs provides guidelines on how to manage all types of farmed pigs.

This includes making sure pigs:

  • have access to the right food and plenty of clean, fresh water
  • have shelter and protection from extreme weather
  • can stand, stretch and lie down
  • can socially interact with other pigs
  • are handled gently
  • are protected from injury or disease
  • get immediate treatment if they have an injury or a disease.

Get the code of practice on the CSIRO Publishing website.

The Livestock Act 2008 and the Animal Welfare Act 1999 control livestock in the NT.

Under these laws, owners of an identifiable property with any livestock (including pet pigs) must have a property identification code (PIC).

This lets livestock biosecurity officers identify relevant animal owners quickly and easily if an emergency or exotic animal disease breaks out.

If you keep pigs on your property, or move them into or out of the NT, you will need a property identification code.

Find out how to get a PIC.

You must meet biosecurity requirements if you want to move pigs from one property to another within the NT.

Read about moving and exporting livestock.

Pigs need a balanced diet of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Commercial pig mixes meet these requirements at each stage of growth.

Good pasture can replace about 1kg of pig mix per day for dry sows, boars and older grower pigs. Pasture can also benefit pigs by providing:

  • exercise
  • sunshine
  • fresh air
  • social interaction.

Keep pig food and clean drinking water separate from wallows and manure to maintain a hygienic feeding environment.

Rules

There are rules on what food you can and can't give to pigs. Many human foods are prohibited. Prohibited pig feed is called swill.

Swill feeding is illegal because meat can carry exotic diseases, such as African swine fever or foot and mouth disease. These diseases can devastate livestock industries.

What you can't feed pigs

You must not feed any of the following to pigs:

  • meat or meat products
  • anything that has been in contact with meat
  • dairy products from overseas
  • pies, sausage rolls, bacon and cheese rolls, pizza, deli meats and table scraps
  • household, commercial or industrial waste, including restaurant food and discarded cooking oils
  • anything that has been in contact with prohibited pig feed via collection, storage or transport in contaminated containers such as:
    • meat trays
    • takeaway food containers.

What you can feed pigs

You can give pigs the following if they are Australian made and haven't been in contact with meat:

  • fruit
  • vegetables
  • eggs
  • cereals
  • milk
  • milk products.

To find out more, read the Agnote Don't feed swill to pigs PDF (160.8 KB).

Housing for pigs is called a pen. When building a pen, make sure it is suitable for the NT climate. For example, it should be cool, well-ventilated and have suitable drainage.

Before building a pen, think about the following:

Location

  • Where will it be?
  • Is it near a dwelling?
  • Is it close to neighbours?

Shelter

When building a pen:

  • include a large roof overhang or blinds to protect from sun and rain
  • align the long axis east to west to minimise heat absorption.

Flooring

  • A slatted timber floor or concrete floor is recommended because they are easier to clean.
    • Slatted timber floors must be high enough off the ground to allow faeces to fall through.
    • If using a timber floor, check whether termites could easily invade as they will weaken or destroy it.
    • Pour concrete floors with a gradient so that urine drains away easily.
  • Pay attention to the surface finish. Very smooth surfaces can cause slipping injuries. Rough, cracked and pitted surfaces are difficult to clean, and allow the build-up of faeces and overgrowth of bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Bedding

You can use the following for bedding:

  • straw
  • soft hay
  • wood shavings.

Space requirements

The model code of practice provides guidance on minimum space requirements for indoor housing:

  • dry sows in groups - 1.2 to 1.5m2 per sow
  • lactating sows with piglets - 4 to 6m2 per sow
  • boars - 2m2 per boar.

Breeding pigs

If you keep female pigs for breeding (sows), you will need to provide a farrowing pen.

Farrowing pens are important so that the sow:

  • has a place to deliver and feed her litter
  • is less likely to trample and crush her piglets
  • can lie down slowly and carefully, to protect the piglets.

Farrowing pens also have a ‘creep’ area where piglets can retreat. This is also where piglets are introduced to solid food at around four weeks old.

Farrowing pens should be 5.m2 per sow.

Adult pig with piglets shown inside a farrowing pen

Credit: Queensland Government

To find out more about farrowing pens, go to the Queensland Government website.

Make sure the pen is always clean. This will help control pig diseases.

Pigs produce a large amount of manure that needs regular removal. Manure attracts a lot of flies, which can create environmental concerns.

When a group of pigs leaves a pen, clean thoroughly with a pressure hose, brush and detergent. You should then disinfect it with a suitable product that kills bacteria and viruses.

Leave the pen unstocked for a week after cleaning before introducing new pigs.

Pigs are prone to heat stress in temperatures over 35 degrees Celsius. Light-skinned pigs need access to shade while in pasture, as they are vulnerable to sunburn.

During the build-up, check drinking water temperatures and add ice blocks if necessary.

Attach sprinklers and fans on the roof to optimise cooling.

Digging

Pigs love to dig for roots and tubers, as well as to create cool holes to sleep in.

They also enjoy wallowing and will dig in damp ground, or near a water source to create a muddy puddle to lie in. They will tip over unsecured water containers if they can.

Applying nose rings to pigs will reduce their capacity to dig up the ground and can help to reduce environmental damage.

Another way to deter excessive ‘rooting’ is to provide solid vegetables for pigs to chew on such as sweet potatoes, carrots and turnips.

Parasites

Pigs are host to a large number of internal parasites (worms) that infest their lungs, kidneys and intestines. Worms can damage other organs when parasite larvae migrate around the body.

Most parasite eggs pass out of the pig’s body in their faeces. If pigs graze pasture or eat from the same area where they pass their faeces, there is a high chance that they will be infested with worms.

While the most important way to control parasites is regularly removing faeces, you may also need to consider a wormer for your pigs.

Diseases

Always practise good hygiene after handling pigs to help prevent the spread of diseases between pigs and from pigs to people.

This includes:

  • washing hands thoroughly with soap and water
  • changing clothes if they are soiled.
  • removing pig dung or yard mud from shoes or boots using detergent and a scrubbing brush
  • consulting your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms after contact with potentially infected animals.

Report signs of diseases in pigs

To report unusual signs of disease in pigs, call the 24-hour emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

Consult your veterinarian if you notice signs of diseases in other animals that may have been in contact with sick pigs.

Find out more about notifiable diseases and how to report them.

Shared or zoonotic diseases in Australia

Pigs can transmit potentially debilitating diseases to humans and other animals.

Get information about animal diseases that can affect people.

The following shared diseases affecting pigs and people have been detected in Australia.

Brucellosis

A bacterial disease causing severe long term illness, fever and influenza type symptoms.

Read more about swine brucellosis.

Q Fever

A serious bacterial disease that causes severe influenza like symptoms which can be fatal. Infection is via contaminated animal tissue (especially intestinal tissue, faeces, urine and foetal fluids).

Q fever is mainly spread by inhalation including during high pressure hosing, slaughtering animals and dressing carcasses.

Leptospirosis

A bacterial disease that can cause fever, kidney disease, jaundice and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) which can be fatal.

Leptospirosis is found in animal tissue, urine and commonly in swamp water. It enters the body through cuts or abrasions and contact with the lining of the nose, mouth and eyes.

Melioidosis

A bacterial disease that commonly affects livestock and can be passed onto humans through contact with infected animals or soil.

Swine influenza

Swine influenza is a highly contagious, rapid onset, respiratory disease of pigs.

Pigs are known to have the potential to mix different strains of influenza viruses together to produce new strains that may be able to infect humans.

Signs of pigs infected with Swine Influenza include:

  • high fever
  • discharge from eyes and nose
  • sneezing
  • breathing difficulties
  • barking cough.

Keeping poultry and pigeons

There are no large commercial poultry farms in the Northern Territory (NT).

A few small producers do sell free-range eggs. Many small flocks are kept for household supplies.

Property identification codes

You must have a property identification code for your property if you keep poultry, pigeons or other livestock, regardless of the size of your property, the number of animals you have, or if they are pets.

Find out how to get a property identification code.

Moving poultry and pigeons

There are no biosecurity requirements on moving poultry and pigeons into or around the NT, however you must follow the welfare standards for transporting poultry.

Read more about moving and exporting livestock.

Keeping pigeons

For more information about keeping pigeons go to the following websites:

Exhibiting poultry

Find out more by watching the exhibition bird biosecurity video on YouTube.

You can also read the national biosecurity manual for exhibition poultry on the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.

Sheep and goats

This page has information for people who want to keep sheep or goats in the Northern Territory (NT).

Property identification codes

If you keep sheep or goats on your property, or move them into or out of the NT, you will need a property identification code (PIC).

Find out how to get a PIC.

Bringing sheep into the NT

Sheep are prohibited animals in the NT due to the presence of blue tongue virus in the Top End and its potential impact on the livestock industry.

You must get written permission from the chief inspector of livestock, and meet all other requirements, if you want to bring sheep into the NT.

How to apply

To apply to bring sheep into the NT, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application.

Application to import sheep into the NT DOCX (60.8 KB).
Application to import sheep into the NT PDF (786.2 KB).

Step 2. Fill in the NT health certificate and waybill form.

NT Health certificate and waybill form DOCX (60.1 KB)
NT Health certificate and waybill form  PDF (992.1 KB)

Step 3. Email both documents to ntpic.brands@nt.gov.au.

Importing and moving sheep

There are livestock movement rules for sheep being moved around, into, out of, and through the NT.

You must be aware of and comply with the rules so that livestock are moved according to disease control and animal welfare requirements.

Read more about NT waybills and moving and exporting livestock.

Read more about livestock welfare and land transport standards.

Bluetongue virus

Bluetongue is a viral infection spread by midges. It has been found in northern areas of the NT since the 1970s. Although it can infect cattle, there have been no reported symptoms in cattle in Australia.

Infected stock can suffer severe illness and there is a high risk of infection for sheep in the NT.

Damara sheep and bluetongue virus

The South African damara sheep breed does not develop bluetongue disease from the current strain of the virus. All other sheep breeds may be at risk of infection and disease and must not be brought into the NT except for slaughter - see below.

The chief inspector of livestock may issue permits to import purebred damara sheep from other states under certain conditions. Before taking any action you must contact the principal livestock regulatory officer - contact details below.

Sheep for slaughter

In the dry season, other breeds may be brought into the NT under permit for slaughter. Before importing sheep you must contact the principal livestock regulatory officer - contact details below.

Transport standards

You must follow livestock welfare and land transport standards during transport and for all movements of sheep.

The standards detail when sheep must not be loaded, acceptable transport vehicles and facilities, appropriate loading and unloading methods, allowable time off food and water and journey spelling. You can be fined if you do not adhere to the standards.

Further information and contacts

For enquiries about sheep importation, contact the principal livestock regulatory officer at livestock biosecurity on 08 8973 9703.

Goats

Australia is the world's largest exporter of goat meat. There is increasing interest in goat production in the NT.

Moving goats

You must fill in an NT waybill if you want to move goats off the property where they are kept in the NT.

Read more about NT waybills and moving and exporting livestock.

Health and management

You need good management practices to successfully farm goats in the NT.

Goats are susceptible to worms and can be resistant to worm drench treatments. An  effective drenching program is essential.

For more information about raising goats in the NT, read the following agnotes:

Animal health and diseases

Cattle

To read about livestock research projects, go to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website.

Deer, alpacas and llamas

If you want to import, keep or export deer, llamas and alpacas in the Northern Territory (NT), you must get a wildlife permit from the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory.

Find out how to apply for a permit to:

Temporary permits

If you want to bring any of these animals into the NT for a short time, such as for a circus, you will only need an import and export permit.

Find out how to apply for a permit to import or export wildlife.

Property identification code

You must have a property identification code if you keep deer, alpacas or llamas, regardless of the size of your property, the number of livestock you have, or if they are pets.

Read how to get a property identification code.

Moving animals

You must complete a waybill if you want to move deer, alpacas and llamas off the property where they are kept in the NT.

Read more about moving and exporting livestock.

Publications

You can read publications and information sheets about these topics.

They are provided as general information only and specific professional advice should be sought on your particular situation.

Crocodile farming and trade

If you farm and trade crocodiles and crocodile products in the Northern Territory (NT), there are regulations you must follow.

You must get a permit to keep or trade in crocodiles and their parts in the NT and you must also comply with the NT crocodile management program.

For guidelines on development of the industry, read the crocodile farming industry strategic plan.

Code of practice

The NT has adopted the national code of practice for the humane treatment of wild and farmed crocodiles. This forms part of the NT crocodile management program.

It covers activities for individuals and companies who have been granted a licence to do all of the following things:

  • capture or take crocodiles and eggs from the wild on private or public land
  • keep crocodiles for commercial raising or captive breeding
  • kill crocodiles
  • incubate eggs in controlled conditions
  • sell live crocodiles as part of the pet trade.

The code does not apply to facilities where captive crocodiles are displayed for scientific exhibition or education purposes.

To get the code of practice go to the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.

Permits

You need a permit to keep most native wildlife, including crocodiles. These permits are issued by the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT.

Find out more about permits for keeping protected and prohibited wildlife.

You need a separate permit to take or harvest crocodiles or eggs from the wild. Find out how to get a permit to take or interfere with wildlife.

If you want to farm crocodiles you will need both types of permits. Contact the Parks and Wildlife permits section if you need further information.

Importing from overseas

You must get two permits to bring crocodile products into the NT direct from overseas.

You must get an import permit from the Australian Government. To find out more, go to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.

You must also get an NT import permit, as outlined above under Importing within Australia.

If the product is first imported to somewhere else in Australia, only an NT import permit is required.

Crocodile farms in the NT

There are seven crocodile farms in the NT, from hatcheries to major tourism ventures.

Crocodile biosecurity

There are detailed guidelines for maintaining hygiene standards on crocodile farms.

Get the guidelines for biosecurity of NT crocodile farms: hygiene procedures and biosecurity concerns PDF (61.8 KB).

Disposing of dead stock

After a natural disaster, emergency or losses from disease, you must dispose of dead animals in a way that doesn't threaten public health or the environment.

Inappropriately dumping carcases risks polluting watercourses, producing smells, spreading disease and impacting the community.

After a disaster

Where disposal of carcases after a disaster may affect towns or where people live, they should be buried or disposed of in a landfill.

Speak to your local council about solid waste landfills. Some councils do not accept dead stock in landfill.

Losses from disease

If stock have died from an emergency animal disease, you must dispose of them according to the Animal Health Australia's Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN).

Read more about notifiable diseases in animals and how to report them.

To find out about AUSVETPLAN and responding to an emergency animal disease, go to the Animal Health Australia website.

For more information talk to your local veterinarian, livestock biosecurity or make a free call to the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Honey bees and beekeeping

The Northern Territory (NT) has a small but important bee industry.

The main species used is the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), which has many wild colonies throughout the NT.

If you are a beekeeper, you must be aware of your responsibilities and biosecurity obligations.

This includes protocols for registering your beehives and protecting it from pests and diseases.

Get the NT bee biosecurity guide PDF (2.3 MB). You can also submit a hive inspection report.

Register your beehives

If you are a beekeeper, you must register your hives with a hive identification number (HIN).

To do this, fill in and submit the beekeeper registration form PDF (712.0 KB) by:

  • email to honeybee@nt.gov.au
  • mail to Bee Biosecurity Officer PO Box 8760, Alice Springs NT 0871.

If you have native bees, you don't have to register. But you are strongly encouraged.

Register your beehives

If you are a beekeeper, you must register your hives with a hive identification number (HIN).

To do this, fill in and submit the beekeeper registration form PDF (712.0 KB) by:

  • email to honeybee@nt.gov.au
  • mail to Bee Biosecurity Officer PO Box 8760, Alice Springs NT 0871.

If you have native bees, you don't have to register. But you are strongly encouraged.

Once your registration is approved, you must display your HIN on all your hives so they can be identified should a biosecurity event occur.

After 2 years, you must renew your registration.

It is also your responsibility to keep your details up to date. This includes any movement of apiary sites, transfer of ownership and increase or decrease of hive numbers.

Pests and diseases

There are many pests and diseases that can harm your beehives and the industry.

Some of these pests and diseases are notifiable in the NT. This means you must report them if you suspect or confirm their presence.

These pests and diseases include:

  • Tropilaelaps mite (Tropilaelaps clareae or T. mercedesae)
  • Varroa mites (Varroa destructor or V. jacobsoni) ­– detected on European honey bee (Apis mellifera)
  • Asian honey bee (Apis cerana)
  • Tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi)
  • European foulbrood (Melissococcus plutonius)
  • American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae)
  • Braula fly (Braula caeca )
  • Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida).

To report them, call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or contact your local plant biosecurity officer.

You should also be familiar with other pests that are present in and out of Australia. For more information about all pests and diseases, go to the BeeAware website.

To detect any new occurrences of pests, the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program monitors locations that are most likely to be entry points.

This program is co-ordinated by Plant Health Australia. For more information, go to the Plant Health Australia website.

To protect your beehives from pests and diseases, you should:

  • be familiar with what they look like, their symptoms and their impact
  • use clean equipment and practice good hygiene
  • use isolation techniques when introducing new bees
  • inspect hives regularly and report possible diseases immediately
  • take part in the annual Bee Pest Blitz
  • abide by the laws protecting the industry.

For more information, get the biosecurity manual for beekeepers on the BeeAware website. You can also find the honey bee biosecurity code of practice, and information on pollination of agricultural and horticultural crops.

Annual Bee Pest Blitz

The Annual Bee Pest Blitz campaign provides awareness of:

  • exotic and established bee pests
  • the importance of hive inspections using nationally-agreed surveillance techniques
  • consistent record keeping and reporting of results.

It also aims to increase understanding of roles and responsibilities and the shared culture in biosecurity.

By participating, you can fulfil their biosecurity obligations and one of the 2 inspection requirements under the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.

Read more about the blitz on the Plant Health Australia website.

To learn more about pests and diseases, you can complete the following online training courses:

  • Biosecurity for Beekeepers
  • Varroa Mite Introduction to Management.

Biosecurity for Beekeepers

The Biosecurity for Beekeepers course provides guidance on how to care for your bees in line with the code of practice.

It includes information on the main pest threats and shows you how to check your hives for signs of pests and diseases.

This course is designed for people with a basic understanding of beekeeping practices, but is helpful to all beekeepers.

For more information and to register, go to the Bee Aware website.

Varroa Mite Introduction to Management

The Varroa Mite Introduction to Management is a free online course that fulfils the requirements of a movement declaration.

For more information and to enrol, go to the Tocal College website.

Bee pests and disease can be spread through the movement of infected bees, products (including honey) and used equipment.

To prevent the spread, the importation of bees, apiary equipment and bee products is strictly controlled.

Under the Livestock Act 2008 and Livestock Regulations 2015, you cannot bring the following into the NT:

  • beehives including used brood boxes, supers and nucleus hives
  • unpasteurised honey.

For other allowable bees or bee-related products, you must get a health certificate by following these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the relevant health certificate form:

Step 2. Submit your form by email to honeybee@nt.gov.au.

Contacts

For information about beekeeping in the NT, contact Plant Biosecurity or emailhoneybee@nt.gov.au.

You can also contact the Alice Springs Beekeepers Association. They support beekeepers to develop their skills and knowledge through workshops.

For more information, call 0417 511 017 or email alicesprings.president@beekeepers.asn.au.

Get a property identification code

Your property identification code (PIC) is an unique 8-character code that identifies the property where your livestock is kept.

The information is kept by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade in the Northern Territory (NT), or its counterparts in other states and territories.

A PIC is permanently registered against a specific parcel of land.

In the NT, PICs begin with the letter T, for Territory. It's followed by 3 more letters, followed by 4 numbers - eg. TCDG0066.

You must have a PIC if you keep any of the following livestock on your property in the NT:

  • alpacas and llamas
  • bison
  • buffalo and cattle
  • camels
  • deer
  • emus and ostriches
  • goats
  • horses, mules and donkeys
  • pigs
  • poultry and pigeons
  • sheep.

It doesn't matter how big or small the property is - from suburban house block to pastoral station. It doesn't matter how much livestock you have or even if they are just pets.

If you're keeping any of the above livestock, then you must have a registered PIC.

If you have livestock on agistment, check with the property owner to make sure they have a PIC.

Your PIC is a biosecurity tool to help the government manage any outbreaks of disease which could spread beyond the property where they are first found.

It helps identify where livestock have come from or are kept. It also helps locate neighbouring properties so owners can be notified quickly of a potential disease threat in the area.

The PIC is an essential part of the National Livestock Identification System.

Read more about moving and exporting livestock or the National Livestock Identification System.

When you register your property for a PIC, you must provide all of the following information:

  • names and details of property owners and other contact people
  • location and legal description such as NT portion/section/lot and street address
  • species and number of livestock held on the property.

The code is permanently attached to the parcel of land and stays with the property, not with the owner.

It can't be transferred to another property. If you sell the property, the code remains with it.

Applying for a PIC is free. You can apply online or fill in a form.

Register for a PIC online.

NT PIC registration form PDF (663.9 KB)
NT PIC registration form DOCX (64.7 KB)

If you fill in the form, submit it by mail or email to:

Chief inspector of livestock
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
GPO Box 3000
Darwin NT 0801
ntpic.brands@nt.gov.au

If you have any questions or need help, you can contact a regional livestock biosecurity officer.

When you register, you will be sent a certificate which lists the PIC, the legal land description, livestock kept on the property and owner details.

Keep your property and livestock details up-to-date. You can apply online or fill in a form.

Apply online to update your NT PIC property details.

Update your NT PIC property details form PDF (680.9 KB)
Update your NT PIC property details form DOCX (65.0 KB)

You can search for a PIC to find the PIC for someone else's property in the NT.

Read more about how to search the PIC database.

Get the full NT PIC list

NT PIC list PDF (2.3 MB)
NT PIC list DOCX (279.3 KB)

View the list by sortable table

PIC list - all regions

Interstate

You can find the PICs for properties in other states through the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). To find out more, go to the NLIS website.

Get a guide to searching the NLIS PIC register PDF (225.3 KB).

Due diligence requests for livestock property sales

If you're considering buying a pastoral property, your solicitor or legal representative can request information from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade about whether the property is subject to any notices, orders or restrictions regarding livestock diseases.

You should also read about due diligence requests for property with plant material.

Information your lawyer can ask for

The department can provide information on:

  • orders or notices issued under the Livestock Act 2008
  • reports of notifiable diseases of livestock under the Act.

No other information is available without a subpoena or Freedom of Information request.

You should note that Australia including the Northern Territory, was declared free of bovine brucellosis in 1987 and free of bovine tuberculosis in 1997.

How to make a request

To request information by email, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the form.

Due diligence request for pastoral property with livestock PDF (681.7 KB)
Due diligence request for pastoral property with livestock DOCX (59.7 KB)

Step 2. Submit your form to the veterinary officer at the livestock biosecurity office in the same region as the property.

You must pay a fee by cheque or credit card as outlined on the form when you send in the request.

Disclaimer

The information is provided in good faith, but the department accepts no liability for any consequences that might arise from its use.

Buffalo

There are rules you must follow for identifying and moving buffalo and related livestock into, around and out of the Northern Territory (NT).

Property identification code

You must have an NT property identification code (PIC) if you keep buffalo, regardless of the size of your property, the number you have, or if they are pets.

Read about how to get a PIC.

Identifying and branding

Buffaloes must be identified under the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) before they are moved from their property of origin.

Radio-frequency identification

Buffalo can be fitted with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device to track their movements.

The owner of the property of origin is responsible for making sure all animals are fitted with RFID.

The PIC of origin and destination will be reported in the NLIS database. This is the responsibility of the owner at the place of destination.

Transaction tags

Before moving buffalo you can attach a transaction tag with serial number to their ear.

The tag should include a PIC of the property where it was applied.

The serial numbers will be recorded on the waybill.

The tags must remain in the ear of the buffalo. For further movements another tag will need to be applied.

Branding

Buffaloes do not need branding by law in the NT.

The owner can use an NT-registered brand if they choose but this is not essential.

Read more about branding and identifying livestock and NLIS in the NT.

Moving buffalo

There are rules for moving buffalo around, into, out of, and through the NT.

You must be aware of and comply with the rules so that livestock are moved according to disease control and animal welfare requirements.

Read more about NT waybills, moving and exporting livestock and livestock welfare and land transport standards.

Publications

You can get NT Government publications about diseases, treatment and general management of buffalo.

They are provided as general information only and you should get specific professional advice for your particular situation.

The NT Government are not responsible for any loss, expense, damage or injury that results from using this information.

The publications listed below and other information can be accessed through the online publications search.

Diseases and treatments

Management

Contact

To find out more about rules for buffalo, contact a livestock biosecurity officer.

Changes to the Livestock Act 2008

From early April 2024, new biosecurity laws will apply to the livestock and agricultural industries in the Northern Territory (NT).

The changes will help provide better responses to animal disease and pest threats.

Summary of changes

The changes will:

  • give the minister and chief livestock inspector powers to respond quickly and effectively to emergency diseases
  • simplify the process of appointing police officers as livestock inspectors during an outbreak
  • introduce voluntary biosecurity management plans for properties, including rules for signage
  • require statutory notices for certain actions - for example, a 14-day notice period to retrieve stray animals from a nearby property where the parties cannot agree
  • allow the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review decisions made under the Act
  • provide a streamlined appointment of NT Police officers during an emergency disease event
  • update the biosecurity regulatory framework for honey bees and beehive registration
  • allow the update penalty offences so they are appropriate and fair, in line with part IIAA of the Criminal Code
  • amend the Trespass Act 2023 to provide more circumstances of aggravated offences, specifically for properties involved in primary production.

Contact

For more information, email livestock.ditt@nt.gov.au.