Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia)
This Bill of Sale for Livestock (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into on [Sale Date] by and between:
[Vendor Name], [Seller Type], PIC: [Vendor PIC], ABN: [Vendor ABN], of [Vendor Address], [Vendor City], [Vendor State] [Vendor Postcode], Australia (the “Vendor”); and
[Purchaser Name], [Buyer Type], PIC: [Purchaser PIC], ABN: [Purchaser ABN], of [Purchaser Address], [Purchaser City], [Purchaser State] [Purchaser Postcode], Australia (the “Purchaser”).
The Vendor wishes to sell the Livestock (as defined below) to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser wishes to purchase the Livestock from the Vendor, on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
IN CONSIDERATION of the payment of the Purchase Price by the Purchaser to the Vendor, and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:
1. DESCRIPTION OF LIVESTOCK
1.1 The Vendor agrees to sell and transfer to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Vendor, the following livestock (the “Livestock”):
Species: [Livestock Species]
Breed: [Livestock Breed]
Quantity: [Livestock Quantity] head
Age: [Livestock Age]
Sex: [Livestock Sex]
Description and Identifying Details: [Livestock Description]
NLIS Device Numbers: [NLIS Device Numbers]
2. SOURCE PROPERTY, DESTINATION, AND MOVEMENT
2.1 The Livestock is currently located at [Source Property Name], [Source Property Address] (the “Source Property”), PIC [Vendor PIC].
2.2 The Livestock will be moved to [Destination Property Name], [Destination Property Address] (the “Destination Property”), PIC [Purchaser PIC].
2.3 The expected dispatch / delivery date is [Dispatch Date].
2.4 Transport: [Transport Arrangement].
2.5 NLIS Movement. The Vendor must ensure that the movement of the Livestock is recorded on the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database in accordance with applicable state livestock identification legislation and the requirements of MLA Donor Company Ltd (NLIS). The Vendor must apply the Destination PIC ([Purchaser PIC]) to the NLIS movement record at the time of dispatch. Where the Livestock are individually NLIS-identified (as recorded in clause 1 above), the Vendor shall ensure the NLIS database reflects the transfer of the devices to the Purchaser’s PIC.
3. PURCHASE PRICE AND GST
3.1 The purchase price for the Livestock is calculated on a [Pricing Method] basis, at AUD $[Purchase Price Amount], which is [Gst Treatment].
3.2 Where the supply of the Livestock is a taxable supply under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth) (GST Act) and the price is stated exclusive of GST, the Purchaser must pay to the Vendor an additional 10% GST upon receipt of a valid tax invoice.
3.3 GST-Free Supply. The parties acknowledge that the supply of live animals for human consumption may be GST-free under Division 38-B of the GST Act. The Vendor warrants that any characterisation of the supply as GST-free is made in good faith and in reliance on the Vendor’s understanding of the GST Act as it applies to the Livestock.
3.4 The Purchaser shall pay the Purchase Price: [Payment Terms].
3.5 Risk in the Livestock passes to the Purchaser at the time the Livestock is loaded onto the transport vehicle at the Source Property (or at such other time as the parties agree in writing).
4. VENDOR’S WARRANTIES AND HEALTH DECLARATION
4.1 The Vendor warrants that:
- the Vendor is the lawful owner of the Livestock and has the full legal right to sell them;
- the Livestock are free from any registered security interest on the PPSR (or any such interest has been disclosed in writing to the Purchaser);
- the Livestock are free from any known disease, illness, or condition that would render them unfit for the purpose for which they are being sold, except as disclosed in this Agreement;
- the Livestock have not been treated with any chemical, veterinary medicine, or hormonal growth promotant within the applicable withholding period, except as disclosed in clause 4 of this Agreement;
- the Vendor’s PIC ([Vendor PIC]) is current and validly registered with the relevant state authority; and
- all NLIS devices fitted to the Livestock are correctly registered to PIC [Vendor PIC] on the NLIS database as at the date of this Agreement.
4.2 Nothing in this Agreement limits any statutory guarantee applicable to the Purchaser under the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) that cannot lawfully be excluded, to the extent that the ACL applies to this transaction.
5. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any attached NVD, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the sale of the Livestock and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, and agreements, whether oral or written.
5.2 Amendments. This Agreement may only be varied by a written instrument signed by both parties.
5.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is void or unenforceable, it shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force.
5.4 Applicable Legislation. This Agreement is subject to applicable Commonwealth and state legislation including but not limited to: the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth); the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth); the Australian Consumer Law; the NLIS scheme administered by MLA Donor Company Ltd; and applicable state livestock identification and movement legislation in [Governing State].
5.5 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by the laws of [Governing State], Australia. The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of [Governing State].
EXECUTED as an agreement on the date first written above.
VENDOR
Full name: [Vendor Name]
PIC: [Vendor PIC]
Address: [Vendor Address], [Vendor City], [Vendor State] [Vendor Postcode]
ABN: [Vendor ABN]
PURCHASER
Full name: [Purchaser Name]
PIC: [Purchaser PIC]
Address: [Purchaser Address], [Purchaser City], [Purchaser State] [Purchaser Postcode]
ABN: [Purchaser ABN]
Vendor
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
Purchaser
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia)?
A Bill of Sale — Livestock in Australia transfers ownership of the goods from seller to buyer, records the price and any warranties, and provides the buyer with proof of title under the Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Schedule 2).
Livestock transactions in Australia are governed by an extensive and overlapping framework of Commonwealth and state legislation. The Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) establishes national biosecurity obligations, while each state and territory has its own livestock identification, movement, and biosecurity legislation. The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) — administered by MLA Donor Company Ltd — requires the electronic identification and traceability of cattle, sheep, and goats, with movements recorded on the NLIS database. The Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program administered by Integrity Systems Company Ltd (ISC) requires vendors to complete a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) for consignments of cattle and sheep to processors.
The A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth) governs the GST treatment of livestock sales, including the GST-free status of supplies of live animals for human consumption under Division 38-B. The Australian Consumer Law (ACL), contained in Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), may apply to commercial livestock sales made in trade or commerce.
The Australia Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia) template is suitable for direct farm-to-farm livestock sales, saleyards purchases, pastoral lease transfers involving livestock, and commercial livestock transactions across all Australian states and territories. It covers cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds), sheep (for wool and meat), goats (dairy and meat), pigs, horses, alpacas, and deer.
The legal framework governing the Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia) in Australia draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Australian law, the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) govern personal data in this document. The Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2, Competition and Consumer Act 2010) provides consumer guarantees under Sections 51-54. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has jurisdiction over family law matters under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) handles consumer financial disputes. State and territory Magistrates Courts handle small civil claims. Parties executing a Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia) in Australia should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Schedule 2) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia)?
An Australian Livestock Bill of Sale is needed whenever livestock change ownership and the parties want a written record of the transaction and its terms. A Bill of Sale is particularly important in the following situations:
Private farm-to-farm sales. When a grazier sells livestock directly to another farmer, a Bill of Sale provides documentary evidence of the transaction and supports NLIS movement recording. It also records the health declaration and any treatment history, which is important for the purchaser's management of the livestock after purchase.
High-value breeding sales. Sales of stud bulls, registered sheep rams, pedigree pigs, or other high-value breeding stock often involve significant sums of money and warranties about genetic credentials, health status, and reproductive history. A Bill of Sale records these important details.
Deferred payment or vendor finance sales. Where the purchaser pays in instalments or where vendor finance is extended, a Bill of Sale with appropriate payment terms and risk allocation protects both parties.
Inter-state livestock movements. Sales involving the movement of livestock between states or territories must comply with the applicable state biosecurity legislation and movement permit requirements. A Bill of Sale documents the commercial terms of the transaction and complements the official movement documentation.
Horse sales. Sales of horses — including thoroughbreds, standardbreds, quarter horses, warmbloods, and stock horses — require detailed documentation of the animal's identity, registration (with the applicable breed registry), health certificates, and veterinary status. A Bill of Sale records all relevant details.
Commercial sales to processors. While sales directly to abattoirs are typically governed by the processor's own terms, a Bill of Sale can be used to record the terms of a private negotiated sale prior to delivery.
Estate and insolvency sales. When livestock are sold as part of a deceased estate or by a receiver or liquidator, a Bill of Sale documents the authority of the seller and the terms of the arm's length transaction.
What to Include in Your Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia)
A well-drafted Australian Livestock Bill of Sale should include the following key elements to be legally effective, biosecurity-compliant, and to protect both parties:
PIC for both vendor and purchaser. The Property Identification Code (PIC) of the source property and the destination property must be recorded. PICs are essential for NLIS movement recording and for compliance with state livestock identification legislation.
Precise livestock description. The species, breed, quantity (number of head), age range, sex, and NLIS device numbers must be recorded. For individually identified cattle, each NLIS EID number should be listed or an attached NLIS device list should be referenced. For sheep and goats, mob-based or individual NLIS identification details should be included.
NLIS movement obligations. The Bill of Sale should specify which party is responsible for recording the livestock movement on the NLIS database and with what PIC, and by what deadline.
National Vendor Declaration (NVD). The Bill of Sale should record whether an LPA NVD has been completed and should cross-reference the NVD details. The NVD must accompany the consignment to the processor and is required for market access.
Chemical and veterinary treatment history. The vendor must disclose all chemical treatments administered within the applicable withholding period (WHP) and export slaughter interval (ESI). This is a legal obligation in most states and a commercial necessity for market access.
Biosecurity conditions. Any Biosecurity Zone Notices, movement restrictions, disease declarations, or other biosecurity conditions affecting the source property or the livestock must be disclosed.
Purchase price and GST treatment. The pricing method (lump sum, per head, per kg liveweight, or per kg dressed weight), the purchase price amount in AUD, and the GST treatment must be clearly stated. For livestock for human consumption sold by a GST-registered vendor, the GST-free status should be confirmed.
Risk and title transfer. The moment of risk transfer (typically on loading at the source property) and the moment of title transfer must be specified.
Governing law. The governing state or territory must be specified, as livestock identification and biosecurity legislation is primarily state-based.
Additional compliance elements for a Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia) used in Australia include: Under Australian law, the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) govern personal data in this document. The Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2, Competition and Consumer Act 2010) provides consumer guarantees under Sections 51-54. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has jurisdiction over family law matters under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) handles consumer financial disputes. State and territory Magistrates Courts handle small civil claims. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia) (Australia) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/australia/personal/bills-of-sale/bill-of-sale-livestock-australia
"Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia) (Australia)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/australia/personal/bills-of-sale/bill-of-sale-livestock-australia.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Bill of Sale — Livestock (Australia) (Australia)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/australia/personal/bills-of-sale/bill-of-sale-livestock-australia}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Schedule 2)}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia's system for the identification and traceability of livestock, primarily cattle, sheep, and goats. It is administered by MLA Donor Company Ltd (Meat and Livestock Australia) and operates through a national database that records the movement of individually or mob-identified livestock between properties across Australia. For cattle, NLIS requires that each animal be fitted with an approved electronic identification device (EID) — typically an NLIS-accredited RFID ear tag or rumen bolus — before it leaves the property of birth or the property where it is first identified. The NLIS device is registered to the Property Identification Code (PIC) of the property from which the animal originated. When cattle are sold and moved to a new property, the movement must be recorded on the NLIS database by the destination property (identified by its PIC), either directly or through an agent, saleyards, or processor. For sheep and goats, NLIS requirements vary by state and territory — some states require individual electronic identification, while others permit mob-based identification through a Property Identification Code and a National Vendor Declaration. When completing a Bill of Sale for livestock, it is important to record the NLIS device numbers (for individually identified animals) or the mob identification details, and to requires the NLIS movement record is updated at the time of the sale and movement.
A Property Identification Code (PIC) is a unique eight-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the relevant state or territory department of agriculture (or equivalent body) to each property that keeps, breeds, or holds livestock. PICs are used in conjunction with the NLIS system to identify the property of origin and the destination property for all livestock movements. Under state livestock identification legislation in each jurisdiction, any property that holds cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, or other livestock species covered by the legislation must have a PIC. This includes pastoral properties, farms, hobby farms, and in some cases urban properties that keep livestock. PICs are issued free of charge by the relevant state authority, for example, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Queensland (Biosecurity Queensland), the Department of Primary Industries in New South Wales, Agriculture Victoria, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in Western Australia, and equivalent bodies in other states and territories. When completing a livestock Bill of Sale, both the vendor's PIC (the PIC of the source property from which the livestock are being sold) and the purchaser's PIC (the PIC of the destination property) must be recorded. Recording both PICs in the Bill of Sale helps maintain compliance with NLIS movement recording requirements and provides a clear chain of ownership for traceability purposes.
A National Vendor Declaration (NVD) is a statutory declaration completed by the vendor of livestock that records critical information about the livestock being sold, including their property of origin (identified by PIC), their chemical treatment history (including any veterinary medicines, drenches, dips, or hormonal growth promotants administered within the relevant withholding or export slaughter interval period), their feeding history (including any feeding on animal material that would affect eligibility for certain markets), and their eligibility for particular quality assurance programs. The NVD is a component of the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program, which is Australia's on-farm food safety, quality assurance, and sustainability program administered by Integrity Systems Company Ltd (ISC). An NVD must accompany consignments of cattle and sheep to processors (abattoirs) and is a key document in the supply chain traceability system. An NVD is also required for inter-state livestock movements in certain circumstances and by many saleyards and livestock agents. Providing false or misleading information on an NVD may constitute an offence under applicable state and Commonwealth legislation and can result in market access restrictions. The Bill of Sale should record whether an NVD has been completed and should cross-reference the NVD reference number or LPA accreditation details.
The GST treatment of livestock sales in Australia is complex and depends on several factors, including the nature of the livestock, the intended use of the livestock, and whether the seller is GST-registered. The general rule is that sales of livestock made in the course of carrying on an enterprise by a GST-registered vendor are taxable supplies subject to 10% GST under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth). However, there is a specific GST-free category for the sale of live animals intended for human consumption. Under Division 38-B of the GST Act and the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Regulations 2019, the supply of live animals (such as cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and goats) that are for human consumption is GST-free. This means that GST-registered graziers and livestock producers selling livestock for slaughter for human consumption do not charge GST on the sale price and do not need to issue a tax invoice. However, the sale of livestock for purposes other than human consumption (such as breeding, racing, or pet food) may be a taxable supply subject to GST. A private individual selling livestock who is not registered and not required to be registered for GST would not be required to collect GST. The GST treatment should be clearly stated in the Bill of Sale, and parties to commercial livestock transactions should seek advice from an agricultural accountant to ensure correct GST treatment.
Moving livestock between properties in Australia is subject to a thorough biosecurity framework that operates at both the Commonwealth and state and territory levels. The primary Commonwealth legislation is the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth), which establishes the national biosecurity system and imposes general biosecurity duties on persons who deal with animals. Each state and territory also has its own biosecurity legislation (for example, the Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), the Biosecurity Act 2014 (QLD), and equivalent legislation in other jurisdictions). Specific biosecurity obligations relevant to livestock movement include the following. First, movement permits or certificates: some states require a movement permit or livestock movement certificate before livestock can be moved into, through, or out of the state. These requirements are particularly strict for interstate movements, for movements during disease outbreak responses, and for movements involving certain species (such as pigs, which require a Pig Movement Declaration). Second, Biosecurity Zones: if a property is subject to a Biosecurity Zone Notice or Movement Control Order — for example, in response to a suspected outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease, or other emergency animal disease — movement of livestock from that property may be restricted or prohibited.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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