Novel complex of Ni(II) of ligand 2-(anilinoacetyl)-N-(3-methylphenyl)hydrazine-1- carbothioamide (H₂L) has been synthesized and characterized by 1HNMR, IR, elemental analyses, molar conductance, UV-visible spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements  ,thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) and X-ray differaction pattern. The result confirmed that the ligand behaved as neutral bidentate, coordination take place via carbonyl oxygen(C=O) and N(2)H groups.  Nickel complex is more thermally stable than free ligand . Nickel(II) complex is mononuclear, adopt square planar geometry . The ligand and complex  have been tested  for their inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria against gram-positive (Streptococcus pyogenes) and  gram-negative (Escherichia coli). The result revealed that Ni(II) complex   showed a higher antibacterial activity against gram positive (Streptococcus pyogenes) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria than the ligand.