Choosing and using the correct devices for all species

Choosing and using the correct devices for all species

5 October 2025 | 4-Min Read

Prior to leaving their property of birth, it’s compulsory for all Australian cattle, sheep and goats to be fitted with an NLIS-approved device.   

Once an animal has been tagged, the NLIS approved device must remain with the animal for life. It is an offence under legislation to remove an NLIS device without permission from state or territory government.     

Each electronic identification (eID) device is unique  

NLIS-approved eIDs enable the recording of individual stock movements on the NLIS database so animals can be effectively and quickly traced throughout the supply chain.   

Each NLIS eID has two numbers assigned to it:   

1. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) number which is encoded on the device’s internal microchip. This number can only be read electronically by a scanner and contains a globally unique sequence comprised of the manufacturer’s code and the device number.
2. An NLIS ID number which is printed on the outside of the device which is comprised of the Property Identification Code (PIC), manufacturer code, device type or species code, the year of manufacture, and a serial number.  

Either the RFID number OR the NLIS ID number can be used to record the movement of individual livestock on the NLIS database.  

You will know a device is NLIS-approved because it will have the NLIS logo printed on it. Cattle devices will also have the words 'Do not remove' printed on them.