Earmarking sheep and goats

To possess or use sheep and goat earmarking pliers, you must first register an earmark.

Earmarks overview

Earmarks must be placed in the off (right) ear of a male animal and the near (left) ear of a female. All earmarks must be made using pliers. It is illegal to use any instrument (e.g. a knife) other than earmarking pliers.

The marks must be of the shape and on the portions of the ear or ears as indicated on the registration certificate.

View the shapes and patterns of sheep earmarks.

Registered earmark districts

Queensland is divided into registered sheep and goat districts.

Earmarks are allocated to and registered for use in relation to specific earmark districts.

View the map and districts for registered sheep brands and earmarks (PDF, 103KB).

Assessing your earmark application

Earmarks that are too similar or easily changed to look like a neighbour's earmark will not be registered.

If you intend to use a sheep earmark in a district other than the one it is registered to, you must notify the registrar. The earmark will automatically be cancelled, and you will need to apply for the earmark in the new district.

If you want to use the earmark in a different sheep district in addition to the original district, you must:

  • apply to register the same earmark in the new district (if available)
  • or
  • apply for a new earmark in the new district.

There is no guarantee you will be able to re-register the same earmark in a new district.

Age or class marks

An owner of a registered sheep and goat brand or earmark may use any number of distinctive marks to denote the age or class of their sheep or goats. These distinctive earmarks do not need to be registered.

These marks must not be made on the same ear as the registered sheep earmark. The Brands Registrar must not consider them similar to or readily convertible into any sheep earmark registered and used in the same locality.

How to register an earmark

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

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:

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.

Earmarks are registered to an individual or entity.

In Queensland, all properties where livestock are kept must have a property identification code (PIC) allocated by Biosecurity Queensland.

When registering or 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 earmark.

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.

Earmark pliers

Earmarks must be of the shape and on the portions of the ear or ears as shown in your registration certificate. You must not remove more than one-third of the ear, and earmarks must be made using earmark pliers. It is illegal to use any instrument (e.g. a knife) other than earmarking pliers.

More information