Stock Routes

Please be advised that due to recent changes in legislation regarding Stock Route Grazing and Travel Permits, this information is currently being updated. For information on permits and fees please contact our team on 1300 696 272 for up-to-date information. 

You must apply to the relevant local government for an appropriate permit to move or graze stock on the stock route network.

You must apply for a stock route travel permit to move stock on foot on:

• stock routes
• reserves for travelling stock
• roads and other land under local government control
• unallocated state land adjoining any of these listed land types.

Exemptions:

You do not need a permit when moving stock between properties if all the following apply:

• the properties are owned by the same landowner and worked as a single enterprise
• travel occurs during a single day in daylight hours
• travel is for animal husbandry or property management purposes only.

You also do not need a stock route network travel permit to transport stock by truck or rail, but other legal requirements when transporting animals may apply.

Before you apply:

Before moving stock, ensure that you:

• Understand the regulations for transporting stock.
• Contact all the relevant local governments and consider inspecting the proposed route to determine its condition and suitability for travel.
• Apply for a grazing (agistment) permit if stock require spelling.
• Apply for a waybill, unless an exception under the Stock Act 1915 applies.

Who can apply:

Any stock owner or their authorised agent can apply for a travel permit.

You do not need to live in the local government area where the application is submitted. The stock owner is the holder of the permit.

Fees:

The fee is calculated by the local government when the application is approved and must be paid

before the permit is issued.

Definitions:

• Large stock means alpacas, asses, camels, cattle, donkeys, horses, llamas, mules or vicunas.
• Small stock means goats and sheep.

Exceptions:

Fees are not charged for:

• infant stock that is less than 6 months old, unweaned and travelling with their mother
• stock travelling to a gymkhana or rodeo
• horses used for droving stock under a stock route permit.

In the case of infant stock, the application must demonstrate that any infants are travelling with, and reliant on, their mother. Young stock that are grazing and not reliant on their mother for feed and nutrients will not meet this criterion.

Requirements of permit applications:

Note: Applications can generally be lodged in person or by post, fax or email

Stock Welfare:

If for health reasons stock require spelling, the permit holder will need to apply for a 7-day grazing (agistment) permit.

Alternative arrangements should be made for agistment or spelling in case a grazing (agistment) permit cannot be issued.

Application assessment:

• The local government will assess the application by considering:
• pasture levels on the route
• availability and suitability of water
• likelihood the stock’s travel will spread a declared pest or notifiable disease
• whether the minimum travel rate of 10km per day can be met by the stock
  if a lesser rate is permitted, whether the lesser rate can be sustained for the entire journey
• impacts on road traffic infrastructure and road safety

Please be advised that due to recent changes in legislation regarding Stock Route Grazing and Travel Permits, this information is currently being updated. For information on permits and fees please contact our team on 1300 696 272 for up-to-date information. 

You must apply to the relevant local government for an appropriate permit to move or graze stock on the stock route network.

A stock route grazing (agistment) permit is required to agist stock on:

• stock routes
• reserves for travelling stock
• roads and other land under local government control.

The purpose of the permit is to provide short-term relief while longer-term strategies are put in place.

Grazing (agistment) permits issued for travelling stock are valid for a maximum of 7 days and cannot be renewed. Permits for other stock are issued for a maximum for 28 days and can be renewed once only.

Who can apply:

You are eligible for a grazing (agistment) permit if you:

• are a landowner whose land is adversely affected by drought, fire or flood
• hold a stock route travel permit and wish to temporarily cease travelling to brand, crutch, dip, drench, jet, shear
• truck the stock under control, or spell the stock to comply with an obligation imposed by animal welfare legislation
• are responding to a notice by local government inviting applications for agistment of stock.

You are not eligible to apply if you have held a grazing (agistment) permit for the land in the 3 months immediately before the date of application.

You do not need to reside in the local government area where the application is submitted.

Fees:

When deciding the fee, local government considers the:

• type of country and the stock to be agisted under the permit
• quality of pasture available for agistment
• accessibility of water at the agistment site
• proposed use of travelling stock facilities (including water facilities)
• comparable agistment rates in the area.

Once a permit has been issued, you must pay the local government the amount shown on the permit.

The fee range set by legislation is given below.

Definitions:

• Large stock means alpacas, asses, camels, cattle, donkeys, horses, llamas, mules or vicunas.
• Small stock means goats and sheep.

Requirements of permit applications:

Note: Applications can generally be lodged in person or by post, fax or email.

Conditions:

• If responding to a local government notice, you must lodge your application within 7 days.
• If applying for agistment of travelling stock, apply at least 3 days before the proposed agistment period.
• If applying for other reasons, allow at least 7 days for your application to be processed.

Application assessment

The local government will assess the application by considering:

• the likely requirements of travelling stock for pasture and water
• the local stock route network management plan
• the likelihood that agistment will introduce or spread a declared pest or degrade the land
• impacts on road safety.