Cattle tick is a serious pest that spreads tick fever, a leading cause of cattle deaths in Australia. It costs the national cattle industry more than $160 million each year and, if unchecked, could cost NSW producers an estimated $32 million annually.
Because of its impact on animal health, trade, and treatment costs, cattle tick is a notifiable pest under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015. While it is endemic in northern Australia, strict regulatory action prevents it from becoming established in NSW. The NSW Cattle Tick Program, delivered in partnership between government and industry, works to prevent, detect, and eradicate infestations.
The Cattle Tick App makes it easy to comply with biosecurity requirements. It gives you access to the digital Record of Movement (CT ROM) form, which must be completed for any cattle tick carriers entering NSW.
Cattle Tick App
About cattle tick
What is cattle tick?
Cattle tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) is a blood-sucking external parasite that attaches to cattle and other livestock. Adult ticks are small—about 4 to 10 mm long—and usually oval and reddish-brown to grey. They attach to the skin, feed on blood, and can cause irritation, hair loss, anaemia, reduced weight gain, and even death in heavy infestations.
The most significant risk from cattle tick is that it transmits tick fever (bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis), a serious and sometimes fatal disease of cattle. Because of this, cattle tick is considered one of the most harmful parasites for the cattle industry in northern Australia and is a notifiable pest in NSW.
How do I identify cattle tick?
You can identify cattle tick by looking for small, oval-shaped parasites attached to the skin of your animals. They range in size from a pinhead when young to about 10 mm when fully engorged, and are reddish-brown to grey in colour. On lightly infested cattle, check the most common areas: under the tail (escutcheon), around the tail butt, flank, shoulder, dewlap, and inside the ears. On heavily infested cattle, ticks may be found anywhere on the body. If you are unsure, take a clear photo or collect a sample and report it for identification.
Cattle ticks must be distinguished from bush ticks and paralysis ticks. All three parasitic stages of the cattle tick may be present on infested cattle, but the easiest to identify is the adult stage. The colour of the legs is the main feature used to distinguish cattle ticks from bush or paralysis ticks. Leg spacing is also a guide.
The graphic below is supplied by TickBoss
What are the effects of cattle tick?
Cattle ticks weaken animals and reduce productivity. When feeding, ticks cause blood loss, skin irritation and wounds that can lead to infection. Heavy infestations may cause anaemia, weight loss, reduced milk and meat production, and in severe cases, death.
Cattle tick is also dangerous because it can transmit tick fever, a disease that causes high fever, jaundice, abortion and death in cattle. Even light infestations can stress animals, lower fertility and increase treatment and management costs.
Cattle tick threatens animal welfare, reduces farm profitability, and creates trade and movement restrictions.
How does cattle tick spread?
Cattle tick spreads mainly when infested animals are moved. Cattle, buffalo, bison and deer are the primary carriers because ticks can reliably complete their life cycle on these hosts. Horses, sheep, goats and camelids can also carry ticks, but they are secondary hosts where the full life cycle is less likely.
Ticks drop off animals into pastures, yards, or transport areas, where they continue developing and can infest new stock.
On heavily infested cattle, ticks may be found anywhere on the body. In lighter infestations, check the escutcheon (under the tail), tail butt, flank, shoulder, dewlap, and ears—the most common attachment sites.
Equipment, vehicles, and stray animals can also move ticks between properties, making strict biosecurity measures essential.
When are cattle ticks most common in NSW?
Cattle ticks can be seen at any time of the year, but they mainly occur from late spring to midwinter.
The numbers found on cattle increase rapidly from summer to autumn, reaching a peak on the north coast of NSW in late autumn to early winter. They decline with the onset of colder weather.
What do I do if I suspect or find cattle tick?
- Isolate the animal – keep it away from other stock.
- Do not move the animal, equipment or vehicles off the property.
- Report immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888 or Local Land Services on 1300 795 299
About tick fever
What is tick fever and how is it spread?
Tick fever is a potentially deadly disease affecting cattle, caused by three organisms: Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, and Anaplasma marginale. It is spread by cattle ticks. Unfortunately, tick treatments do not prevent transmission of B. bovis, the most serious form, as it is transmitted before the tick is killed, or by ticks picked up shortly after the product has worn off
Are all cattle tick infestations associated with tick fever?
No. Most cattle tick infestations in NSW are ‘clean’, meaning they do not result in tick fever. However, vigilance is important, especially if cattle have previously been exposed and are carrying tick fever in their system from a previous infection (e.g., from Qld or previous outbreaks in NSW) or have been recently vaccinated with the live tick fever vaccine) as ticks can pick up the infection and transmit the disease to other cattle.
When should I consider tick fever control options?
You should consider control options if any of the following apply:
- Tick fever has been diagnosed on your property
- Your property neighbours one with active tick fever
- You have introduced cattle from tick-fever–endemic areas (e.g. Queensland)
Speak with your veterinarian or a Local Land Services district veterinarian to determine the most suitable options for your situation.
What are my options for controlling tick fever?
There are three main options:
- Vaccination
- Daily monitoring and treatment of sick animals with Imidox
- Blanket treatment of the herd with Imidox
How does the Tick Fever vaccine work?
The vaccine is a live, trivalent vaccine made from infected calf blood. It provides long-term (often life-long) protection against all three organisms after a single injection.
What are the limitations of the vaccine?
Immunity takes 3–4 weeks to develop for Babesia and up to 10 weeks for Anaplasma.
- Sick animals may still need treatment during this period.
- The vaccine has a short shelf life (4 days) and must be ordered in advance.
- It can occasionally cause illness or abortion in sensitive animals.
- It may introduce B. bovis into tick populations, which could affect unvaccinated cattle nearby.
Can I use Imidox and the vaccine together?
No. Imidox interferes with the vaccine’s effectiveness. If you choose to vaccinate, you must avoid blanket treatment with Imidox.
What is Imidox and how is it used?
Imidox is the only registered treatment for Babesia-related tick fever. It can be used:
- Daily, to treat sick animals as symptoms appear.
- Blanket, to treat the entire herd and stop an outbreak quickly.
What are the pros and cons of daily monitoring and treatment?
Pros:
- Lower drug cost.
- Avoids vaccine-related risks
Cons:
- Time-intensive
- Requires daily presence and access to yards
- Cases may continue for months
What are the pros and cons of blanket treatment with Imidox?
Pros:
- Rapid control of the outbreak
- Treats both sick and incubating animals
Cons:
- No long-term protection
- Risk of future outbreaks if ticks persist
Which option is best for long-term protection?
Vaccination offers longer-term protection, especially useful during extended tick eradication efforts. However, it requires careful planning and monitoring during the immunity development phase.
What should I do if my neighbour is using the vaccine?
If your neighbour is vaccinating, and you have unvaccinated cattle, there may be a risk of transmission if you have ticks present. Consider vaccinating your own herd or increasing monitoring and tick control measures.
Who can I contact for help or to order the vaccine?
The vaccine is produced by the QLD DPI Tick Fever Centre. Orders must be placed by 4pm the day before production (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Contact your local vet or biosecurity officer for assistance.
What are the risks of importing cattle from a cattle tick infested area or introducing recently vaccinated cattle?
Producers should be aware of the risk that comes from importing stock from cattle tick infested areas.
Cattle from the cattle tick infested area may have been exposed to the organisms that cause tick fever or have been recently vaccinated to protect against the disease. Although these cattle may be immune to tick fever, they may present a risk when introduced into the herd.
These introduced cattle may be carriers of the organisms and, should your property become infested with cattle tick, the naïve herd will be susceptible to tick fever from the introduced cattle.
Tick fever cases have occurred where stock owners have purchased bulls from cattle tick infested areas that have been recently vaccinated, and introduced to an unvaccinated herd and the herd becomes infested with cattle tick. Transmission of the organism from the introduced bull can then result in tick fever impacting the whole herd.
NSW entry and movement requirements
How can I prevent cattle tick entering NSW?
Cattle tick is a notifiable pest in NSW. To prevent its spread, there are strict controls on the entry of all cattle tick carriers into NSW under the Biosecurity Order (Permitted Activities) 2019.
Any animal that can carry cattle tick must meet inspection and/or treatment requirements before entry.
- Primary carriers (cattle, buffalo, bison and deer) pose the highest risk and must meet the most stringent inspection and treatment rules.
- Secondary carriers (horses, sheep, goats and camelids) also have requirements, though some low-risk movements may be eligible for self-certification.
- To be eligible for a Biosecurity Certificate exemption, owners of secondary cattle tick carriers must complete a cattle tick education and training module. Livestock owners must then complete a CT ROM form via the Cattle Tick App and answer all questions under the self-certification tab before moving secondary carriers. The free online course can be accessed via Cattle tick training.
- Animals going directly to abattoirs or feedlots have less stringent conditions than animals moving to other properties.
By ensuring these requirements are met every time, you stop cattle tick from crossing into NSW.
What are the entry requirements for cattle tick carriers entering NSW?
All movements of cattle tick carriers entering NSW or moving off a restricted holding in NSW can be declared using the digital Cattle Tick Record of Movement (CT ROM) form, and can be submitted with a photo or scanned image of a biosecurity certificate.
A restricted holding is a property that has been officially placed under movement restrictions because cattle tick (or another notifiable pest or disease) has been detected.
General requirements
- All movements of cattle tick carriers must comply with risk minimisation requirements.
- Evidence of compliance (certificates, ROM forms, records) must travel with the animals.
- Failure to comply is a breach of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and may result in penalties.
Primary carriers: Cattle, buffalo, bison and deer.
- Certification is always required (biosecurity certificate or veterinary certificate) before entry.
- Animals must be inspected and, if required, treated in line with approved procedures.
- Records of inspections/treatments must be kept for 2 years and produced if requested.
Secondary carriers: Horses, sheep, goats and camelids (e.g. alpacas, llamas).
- Certification may be required, depending on the risk status of the land they are moving from.
- In some low-risk situations, movements can be done under self-certification using the Record of Movement (ROM) system. You may apply for low-risk land status (self-certification) by emailing cattletick@dpi.nsw.gov.au to request an application.
Risk status of land
- Low-risk land: No cattle present for at least 12 months, or no pasture available.
- High-risk land: Any land currently grazed by cattle, or where cattle have been within the past 12 months.
What is the Cattle Tick App?
The Cattle Tick App is a digital tool that makes it easy to complete the mandatory Record of Movement forms for animals that can carry cattle tick, and to clearly understand your entry requirements.
How do I access the Cattle Tick App and use the Cattle Tick Record of Movement (CT ROM) form?
You can complete a Cattle Tick Record of Movement (CT ROM) form via the Cattle Tick App:
- Create a login.
- Enter details of the movement (type, number of animals, origin and destination with PIC, contact details).
- Confirm you meet all requirements.
- Provide vehicle/trailer registration and driver’s name.
- Upload any required documents (low-risk land verification or Biosecurity Certificate, if applicable).
Once submitted, you’ll receive a digital copy, summary report, and reference number by email.
How do I comply if I’m bringing animals into NSW just for a show or event?
Once you complete the Cattle Tick Record of Movement (CT ROM) form via the Cattle Tick App all the entry requirements will be provided.
Cattle dip sites
This locator database contains historical information regarding cattle dip sites in the Northern Rivers region that the NSW Government was involved with. The actual number and known locations of cattle dip sites in this region are almost complete and should not change.
DPIRD has an ongoing interest in the accurate location and general condition of the sites in case of possible environmental risk due to natural activity. However, development or change in the status of those sites, physical, legal or planned, is outside DPIRD's control, so DPIRD cannot maintain current information. The relevant local Shire Council is the appropriate authority.
- Visit the Cattle dip site locator.
Contact
If you need advice about moving animals into NSW or have questions about cattle tick, contact Border Compliance Operations on 1800 680 244 (Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm).