Transported Stock Statements

When transporting stock, it is important to have the correct identification and traceability documentation.

Livestock movement documents which are approved forms of transported stock statements include:

• Transported Stock Statement form
• Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) National Vendor Declarations (NVD) including the eNVD
• Livestock transporters consignment notes approved by the Stock Transportation Accreditation Committee
• Sale Outward Movement Records (SOMR) produced by saleyards and given to buyers of livestock for the trip to the next destination.

What are Transported Stock Statements?

Transported Stock Statements (TSS) can be used in situations in which stock are not being sold.

Examples of situations where you can use a TSS when transporting stock include:

• for agistment
• to agricultural shows
• between properties with the same PIC.

If the stock are being transported for sale or to an abattoir, you need a National Vendor Declaration. This is the most common stock travel document and includes additional information related to food safety and market access.

An NDV may be required for all stock movements by accredited members of the Livestock Production Assurance program.

NSW producers, agents and carriers who have a TSS can move stock from NSW into the ACT without having to additionally complete and carry an ACT Permit to Travel Stock.

How to get a Transported Stock Statement

TSS booklets for the transport of cattle, bison, camel and other non-indigenous stock can be purchased from a Local Land Services office.

TSS forms for Horse Movements can be downloaded at no cost.

Download a fillable TSS form for horse movements (PDF 230.9KB).

Transported Stock Statements for horses

When horses are moved, it is a legal requirement that you complete and carry a Transported Stock Statement. This documentation is important for disease traceability and knowing where horses are located in the event of a biosecurity threat.

Police monitoring road movements can request a TSS, and penalties may apply for not having a completed TSS with you.

For the TSS to be valid, it needs to be printed, completed with the details of the individual journey, dated and signed.

This document does not have a serial number so it can be used repeatedly, photocopied or shared electronically.

We recommend you download, photocopy, and have a bunch on hand to use when necessary.

This form cannot be used for transporting any other types of livestock because it does not meet NLIS requirements.

If you have already purchased a TSS or TSS Booklet with serial numbers, these are still eligible to be used for transporting horses and other livestock.

Examples of horse movements that require a TSS

A TSS is required in most instances when you are moving horses.

• Going to a farrier to be shod
• Moving to a new grazing block
• Going somewhere to have a ride that is not part of an organised event
• Going to a breeding facility (except for thoroughbred or standardbred racehorses)
• Going to a riding school for riding lessons
• Going to a trail ride.

If you are transporting a horse to a single destination and returning to the property of origin on the same date, then one TSS is required. If the trip involves an overnight stay, then another TSS is required.

Examples of horse movements that do NOT need a TSS

• Horses being transported to or from an agricultural show, gymkhana, exhibition, pony club meeting, or similar function conducted by an incorporated club, entity or association.
• Racehorses or harness racing horses, or working horses being moved to or from any place for work
• Horses being moved under a stock permit issued under the Local Land Services Act 2013
• Horses being moved under a control order, emergency order, biosecurity direction, permit issued, or a biosecurity zone established under the Biosecurity Act 2015
• Horses being transported from interstate and travelling within NSW for up to 30 km before proceeding back into the other state or territory as part of an unbroken journey
• Horses being transported across or along a road from one part of a property to another which would be adjoining except for being separated by the road
• Horses being transported to a place for treatment by a veterinary practitioner.

If you are attending an event such as an agricultural show, gymkhana or similar function, as described above, it is advisable to have proof of the event with you to claim the TSS exemption.

See the definitions at the bottom of this page.

How to complete a Transported Stock Statement

There are two parts to a TSS form.

Part 1 of the TSS should be completed by the owner or the person in charge of the stock prior to the commencement of the journey at the consignment property (this may be an employee or carrier).

Part 2 of the TSS should be completed by the driver, or person in charge of the stock while the stock is being transported. In most circumstances, the owner/vendor will also provide the NVD to accompany the stock.

If the person who fills out Part 1 of the TSS is the owner of the stock, two copies of the form are needed. The original must be given to the driver of the vehicle, who is in charge of the stock while they are being transported. The owner keeps the duplicate for their records.

Maintaining records of TSS movements

The TSS must be kept for at least 2 years following the stock movement and applies to:

• an owner of stock who is transporting their own stock by vehicle
• an owner of stock who provides another person who is transporting the stock with a TSS
• a person in charge of a vehicle transporting stock who is provided with a TSS
• a consignee who is provided with a TSS when receiving the stock.

Enforcement of Transported Stock Statements

Checking and enforcement of TSS is mostly carried out by police officers. This is usually to ensure the transporter has a TSS that relates to the stock on board, or sometimes for stock theft purposes.

TSS can also be enforced by Authorised Officers under Part 9 of the Local Land Services Act 2013. Providing that an authorised officer has reasonable grounds to believe a vehicle is being used to transport stock, they may stop and search the vehicle. Subject to certain conditions set out in the LLS Act, an authorised officer may also give reasonable directions to any person in or on the vehicle, or in the vicinity of a vehicle which they believe is being used to transport stock.

If you are ever in doubt about the authenticity of an authorised officer, ask to see their certificate of authority

You may face prosecution and a penalty of up to $2,200 if you do not use TSS in accordance with the Act.

Advice for livestock transporters

A livestock transporter can apply to the Stock Transportation Accreditation Committee for approval of their consignment note as a TSS.

As required by section 119 of the Local Land Services Act 2013 and the Local Land Services Regulation 2014, approval of the consignment note may be granted if the consignment note contains  the information below:

• date the stock are transported
• types and number of stock being transported
• address at which the stock are loaded to commence the journey
• name and address of the owner of the stock (or, if there is more than one owner, name and address of at least one of the owners)
• if the stock are being transported for a person other than the owner of the stock (for example, an employee of the stock owner) the name and address of that person
• name and address of the person to whom the stock are being transported to (the consignee)
• address to which the stock are being transported to (if different from the consignee’s address)
• name and telephone number of the person in charge of the stock while the stock are being transported
• vehicle registration number of any vehicle transporting the stock.