Annual return of land and livestock (Stock Return)
Each year, all ACT Rural landholders are required to complete an annual return of land and livestock. This provides the ACT Government important information regarding livestock numbers and type across the Territory. The information you provide is invaluable in ensuring that the ACT is prepared for potential animal disease outbreaks and have the correct information on hand during emergencies.
How to lodge your return
Online
The easiest way to lodge your return is online. The online form asks the same questions as the paper form and only takes a few minutes to complete.
Submit your Annual Return of Land and Livestock online.
Post
You can post your completed annual return of land and livestock to:
Biosecurity and Rural Services
PCS depot
500 Cotter Road
Weston Creek ACT 2611
Scan your completed annual return of land and livestock return and email it to act.ruralservices@act.gov.au.
Sending in your return information
Returns need to be lodged by 7 July each year.
It’s important for you to complete an annual return of land and livestock even if you don’t have livestock on your property.
It is also a legal requirement under the Stock Act 2005 that landholders lodge an annual return of land and livestock.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it important to submit a stock return each year?
Your information helps The ACT Government maintain an accurate account of agricultural use, livestock type and numbers within the ACT. By providing your specific property information, including your agricultural operations and livestock type and numbers, we can inform landholders of specific information relevant to their business which helps in the preparation for potential biosecurity risks. This information can prove invaluable in the event of an emergency disease outbreak.
Which stock should I count?
All livestock that are six months of age or older should be counted, regardless of whether it belongs to the landholder, is agisted or on the property for any other reason. This also includes livestock not owned by you, but on your holding as of the 30 June (this does not include livestock agisted outside the ACT).
The stock I own is not on the list?
In the box for ‘other’, note how many and what species of stock that you have on your property.
I don’t own any stock?
All rural lessees are required to submit an annual return of land and livestock each year, regardless if the land has livestock or not. If you don’t have livestock, simply select ‘no’ under Livestock.
What if the property is changing hands?
If you are in the process of selling or subleasing your land (including exchanging contracts) you are still the legal occupier at 30 June and responsible for submitting the annual return of land and livestock.
What if I haven’t owned the property for a whole year?
The stock return is a snap shot in time of what animals are in the ACT on the 30 of June. If you are the legal occupier of the land at 30 June, you are responsible for submitting the annual return of land and livestock.
How will my information be used?
The ACT Government maintains a database with Rural Landholders contact details, which is used to correspond with landholders for general information and having up to date contact details of Landholders is vitally important in the event of an emergency within the ACT.
What else do I need to do if I own livestock?
All properties that have livestock are required to have a Property Identification Code (PIC). If you do not have or are unaware of your PIC please contact ACT Biosecurity and Rural Services.
Is this the same as my annual levy?
No, this is just to determine stock numbers, agricultural land use and to update contact details. The Annual Stock Levy is determined by your property livestock carrying capacity.
More information
Contact the Rural Services team on 02 6207 3587 or email act.ruralservices@act.gov.au.