A new cattle tick administration fee at the Dalby Regional Saleyards will take effect from 1 July 2026, strengthening biosecurity protections for one of Australia's key livestock selling centres.
Western Downs Regional Council has introduced the fee in response to an increase in consignments arriving at the saleyards with cattle ticks, placing additional pressure on operations and posing significant risk to the cattle tick-free zone.
The $2,750 per consignment fee (including GST) will only be applied to consignments arriving at the saleyards where the presence of ticks is confirmed.
Council Spokesperson for Business Strategy and Economic Development Councillor Megan James said the measure was an important step in protecting the integrity of the region's livestock industry.
"Dalby Regional Saleyards is a critical part of our beef supply chain, with almost 300,000 cattle passing through the facility in the 2025-26 financial year," Cr James said.
"Protecting our tick-free zone is essential to maintaining market access, industry confidence, and the long-term sustainability of the sector.
"Council has worked closely with agents, industry stakeholders, and the Department of Primary Industries to address the growing issue, with a shared understanding that cattle should not be arriving at the saleyards with ticks."
Cr James said the fee would be passed on through selling agents to help recover the additional administration required to manage infested consignments and encourage confirmation of tick-free status of cattle prior to transport.
"When cattle arrive with ticks, the entire consignment must be isolated, managed under biosecurity protocols, and removed from the sale process," she said.
"There is flow on effects across the entire operation - from delays and restricted movement, through to additional handling and freight, compliance requirements, and coordination with biosecurity authorities.
"The fee simply recovers those additional costs and reinforces the need for cattle to be confirmed tick-free before they arrive.
"Confirming cattle are tick-free before they arrive at the saleyards is the simplest and most effective way to avoid the risk and the cost.
"Livestock agents will administer the feel as part of the sale process and play an important role in communicating requirements to their vendors to ensure consignments are tick-free prior to arrival."
