The Rare Breeds Trust of Australia is a not for profit organisation established to maintain diversity in our domestic livestock breeds. These breeds are those included in the species of catte, donkeys, goats, horses, pigs, poultry and sheep.

Many livestock and poultry breeds in Australia have unique characteristics that are important in meeting the challenges of the future.  However, both pure breed livestock and poultry in Australia are under continuing economic and environmental threats. These breeds also form part of our heritage and need to be preserved for future generations. 

Our aims therefore are to:

• Secure a future for rare livestock breeds by informing the livestock community and the general public about the need to protect our domestic livestock breeds both on the national and international stage.
• Identify and profile breeds at risk of loss through our rare breed watchlists and breed overviews.
• Provide a platform for increased take up of rare breeds through the rare livestock and poultry directories of breeders.
• Support storage of genetic material through our Future Farms Gene Bank action.

We are proud to have Michael Peel, the well-known poultry breeder, as our Patron. All our work is done by dedicated volunteers. Find out more about the team on our Meet the Team web page. 

You can contact the Trust by emailing rarebreedstrustau@gmail.com for further information, or look through our website for rare breed listings, rare breed directories and other useful information.  

Currently, we have no government recognition or funding. By joining as a financial member you will be greatly assisting our efforts. Find out more on the About RBTA Membership page.

Please note that:

• The Rare Breeds Trust of Australia does not buy or sell animals itself, source animals, or provide import or export services for animals, embryos or genetic material. If you are looking for a rare breed in Australia please look through the Breeder Directories (livestock and poultry) or contact the relevant Breed Association.  You will find the names of Breed Associations on breed profiles in the Meet the Species section of our website.
• For official registration/recognition as a breeder, breeders should contact the relevant breed associations, local government authorities, local land services and agriculture departments for any regulations relevant to registration, animal movement, biosecurity or zoning. Membership of the Trust does not confer "official" breeder recognition or registration status in itself. Overview information on breeder registrations and arrangements are provided on our Information and Resources web page. 

Rare Breeds Trust Contacts

More information on our Species Coordinators as well as our Board members can be found on the Meet the Team page.