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:
- 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.
- 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.
To ensure you are using NLIS-approved devices or to find contact details for the device suppliers, please refer to the following documents:
- for cattle, please refer to this list of approved NLIS devices.
- for sheep and goats, please refer to this list of approved NLIS devices.
When choosing your device, ensure you make the correct selection by referring to the following guidance:
- for cattle, NLIS-approved devices can either be a single ear tag or a rumen bolus combined with a visual ear tag. All NLIS-approved breeder devices are white and post-breeder devices are orange.
- for sheep or goats, refer to this factsheet outlining the various requirements for each species.
A Property Identification Code (PIC) is an eight-character code that is required for all livestock movements in the NLIS.
PICs are provided by the relevant state or territory government, and when you purchase NLIS-approved devices, suppliers will verify your PIC before processing the order. A list of the purchased devices (the RFID and NLIS ID numbers) is uploaded to your PIC in the NLIS database, where they will remain until they are moved, marked as deceased, or deactivated.
To order your NLIS-approved devices, contact your state or territory department of primary industries, a reseller or the supplier directly.
All NLIS-approved devices should be applied according to the supplier’s instructions. Cattle devices should be positioned in the middle of the animal's right ear, as shown below.
For sheep and goats, refer to your state or territory NLIS authority for any specific requirements on colour and placement. In general, devices should be applied to the animal's left ear, as shown below.
Where an animal has lost a tag, you can ensure it maintains lifetime traceability by applying a replacement device as follows:
- if the animal is still on its property of birth when the device is lost, an NLIS breeder device must be used
- if the animal is no longer on its property of birth when the device is lost, an NLIS post-breeder device must be used.
If you are applying a post-breeder device and know the NLIS device number that was lost, you can complete a replacement in the NLIS Database. This will link the lost device to the new device number and retain the lifetime traceability status of the animal.
Where livestock is coming on to your property, you should ensure you have a supply of post-breeder devices on hand to ensure you can maintain lifetime traceability of these animals should any devices be lost.
Remember, it is an offence to remove NLIS devices. It is also an offence to use a breeder device on animals that have been introduced to your property.
If you are having retention issues with your NLIS-approved devices, you should contact your supplier and they will investigate the issue. The supplier may replace, refund or take other action depending on what the issue is.
If you are unhappy with the supplier’s response, you then have the option to submit a complaint to ISC via this online complaint form on the ISC website. ISC will then investigate the issue.
It’s important to remember that ISC can only investigate issues relating to NLIS-approved devices.