Branding pigs

Pigs of 30kg or more (live weight) must bear the owner's registered pig brand (tattoo) before being sold or offered for sale in Queensland.

Pig brands

The registered tattoo must be applied to both sides of the pig using an approved applicator and approved fluid/paste. You can purchase approved applicators, pins and approved fluid/paste from most stock and station agents after receiving your registration certificate.

A pig brand is registered for use only at specific properties or within a specified district as recorded by the registrar. It must not be used elsewhere. Registered brands may be used to establish legal ownership of pigs and pig carcasses.

The Queensland pig tattoo code has 4 characters (a number followed by 3 letters):

  • first number is a 4, matching the state postcode
  • next letter represents the district or shires in which the property is located
  • last 2 letters identify the owner of the brand and the property on which the pigs are kept.

The tattoo must be the same shape and pattern as shown on the registration certificate. The face depth must be between 12mm and 25mm, and the space between characters must be 12mm or less.

Brand exemptions

You do not need to sale brand your pigs if:

  • you own only 1 or 2 pigs
  • the pigs weigh less than 30kg (live weight)
  • they are resold within 7 days of you purchasing, provided they bear the previous owner's registered brand.

However, you must identify the pigs offered for sale with an approved National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) device corresponding to the property identification code (PIC) of the residence.

How to register a pig brand

Your pig brand must be registered before you can legally use it in Queensland.

Reminders for brand applications

  • Email all brand applications to brands@dpi.qld.gov.au.
  • Brands must be associated with a 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.

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.

In Queensland, all properties where one or more pigs are kept must have a PIC allocated by Biosecurity Queensland.

When registering for a pig brand, you must provide the PIC where the brand 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 brand.

Applications are processed:

  • in the order we receive them
  • if they have been fully completed and the correct fee has been paid
  • within 10 working days.

Step 4: Approval

When the brand has been approved, you will be issued a registration certificate.

You will be allocated a registered pig brand suitable for your location and pig brand district.

Changing pig brand ownership

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:

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. 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.

A pig brand will only be transferred if it is to be used in the same district it was originally registered. If the pig brand is to be used in a different district, it will be cancelled and you will need to apply for a pig brand in the new district.

Submit your annual pig brand return

If you own a registered pig brand, 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.

Review your current details

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

No changes needed

If your details haven't changed, submit your return using either of these methods:

Contact us online, by phone or in person for further assistance.

Changes are needed

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

    • Brand owners 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.
    • Brand or earmark owners 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.
    • If you are an owner or part owner and have legally changed your name, you can update your registration.
    • 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.
    • If you wish to cancel a guardianship 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.
    • No fee applies.
    • A brand or earmark registered in the name of a deceased person must not be used on livestock once the estate has been finalised.
    • When the estate has been finalised, executors of the deceased and any other registered owners must transfer the brand or earmark to include only living registered owners
    • If you no longer wish to retain registration of a brand or any associated symbol brands or earmarks, complete a cancellation authority 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.

More information