Frequently Asked Questions

The NLIS Database Uplift Project is a major initiative aimed at modernising and improving the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) in Australia. The project is focused on creating a user-friendly, adaptable, and scalable platform that will serve the red meat industry's needs for the foreseeable future.

The NLIS Database Uplift Project aims to achieve the following: 

• Improve overall livestock traceability
• Optimise data flow 
• Create an intuitive and user-friendly platform with a seamless user experience 
• Utilise a modern, cloud-based platform with near real-time data 
• Integrate with contemporary and legacy systems for improved efficiency and streamlined data exchange 
• Provide mechanisms to ensure increased data integrity and accuracy 
• Develop a scalable and flexible system to enable future integration 
• Improve reporting capability and analytics

The NLIS Database Uplift Project is expected to deliver several benefits to producers and the wider industry, including:  

• Strengthened national biosecurity: By improving the accuracy and timeliness of livestock tracking and health data, the enhanced NLIS will enable quicker responses to disease outbreaks.  

• Improved efficiency: Streamlining and automating time-consuming processes within the NLIS database will help reduce the administrative burden on producers, freeing them up to focus on other aspects of their business.  

• Improved integration and data accessibility: Enhanced integration with other farm management systems will help producers streamline operations, improve transparency, and enhance quality across the entire supply chain.  

• Enhanced competitiveness and resilience: Improving the industry's ability to share data will allow stakeholders to make more informed decisions, potentially boosting productivity and sustainability, making the sector more competitive and resilient, and better preparing it for future challenges and market demands.  

The NLIS Database Uplift Project is supported by a $22.5 million grant from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as part of the Australian Government's Bolstering Australia's Biosecurity System package. 

The main benefits for producers can be summarised as:  

Easier to Use: The new system will be more intuitive, saving you time and simplifying compliance with fewer screens to navigate and fewer steps to complete tasks.  

Near Real-Time Traceability: Enhanced traceability will protect your operation during food safety issues or disease outbreaks.  

Minimal Downtime: Rapid auto-recovery mechanisms will ensure minimal service disruption.  

Seamless Transition: Progressive rollout of new features will be delivered seamlessly, making it easier for you to adapt.  

eNVD Integration: The new system will integrate with the LPA electronic National Vendor Declaration and third-party systems, saving time when livestock are on the move.  

Role-Based Access: You can assign tailored NLIS access to employees or consultants based on your business needs.  

Security Enhancements: Improved measures will protect sensitive data and block unauthorised access.  

The NLIS Uplift changes will be rolled out in stages through a carefully planned approach: 

• Technical features will be progressively released, with some initial capabilities potentially available only to third party software integrators 

• Web users will have opportunities to preview and test new features through a beta website 

• Once all critical features have been successfully delivered as part of the Uplift project, all web users will be migrated across to the new NLIS website and the old website and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) will be decommissioned.  

Yes, there is a public website for tracking planned changes and timelines. A dedicated NLIS Uplift Project web page has been established, which contains key information related to the project. Regular updates will be provided as the project progresses.

Yes, you will need to have a myMLA account and link it to your NLIS account. This linkage is necessary to ensure seamless access to the new NLIS platform and to take advantage of the enhanced features and functionalities.

If you've signed up to myMLA and linked your NLIS account to myMLA account, you will be able to continue to access NLIS as usual. If you are yet to create a myMLA account, you will need to do this in order to access the Uplifted NLIS.

The upgraded NLIS database will maintain all current integrations with ISC systems, as well as external supply chain applications via the NLIS API. These integrations are being modernised as part of the NLIS Uplift project to provide a more efficient and capable solution. The improved API will make it easier for third-party systems to connect and interact with NLIS while maintaining robust data security.

As part of the technology uplift, the legacy solution of "Mirror Database" will also be replaced with a more modern and future-proof technology to provide regulators and policy makers continued, uninterrupted access to livestock traceability data captured in NLIS. 

The Uplifted NLIS website will be available on mobile and tablet, however, the optimal experience will be on a desktop or laptop. 

We’ll make sure users have all the training and resources they need to make the transition as smooth as possible. This will include a mix of options like:  

• Online resources – videos and step-by-step instructions that people can access anytime.  

• Webinars – live sessions where we’ll walk through key processes and answer questions.  

• Face-to-face training – we’re also looking into running in-person sessions in central locations for those who’d benefit from hands-on support.  

Our goal is to make sure everyone feels confident and ready to use the system.  

The Commonwealth government has provided ISC with funding to support third-party integrators that currently integrate with the old NLIS via API to transition to the uplifted NLIS. This would include farm management systems currently integrating with NLIS via API. Third-party systems currently integrating with NLIS will work with their customers (e.g., producers) to help them smoothly transition to the new NLIS. You can find more information on this via ISC’s Third Party Integrators Webpage.

For general support with NLIS, LPA, or eNVD inquiries, contact ISC Customer Service.  

• Email: info@integritysystems.com.au  

• Phone: 1800 683 111 (8am-7pm AEST Monday - Friday; 9am-5pm AEST Saturdays - Sundays)  

For providing recommendations, suggestions or general feedback on the NLIS Database Uplift Project: 

• Email: nlisuplift@integritysystems.com.au 

• NLIS Database Uplift Project Team 

To stay updated on the project you can register for bi-monthly NLIS Database Uplift Update Newsletter.

For help with ordering NLIS tags and devices, obtaining a PIC, or reporting stolen livestock, contact the relevant state or territory authority.  

For media inquiries, contact:  

• Sheree Young  

• ISC Communication and Evaluation Manager  

• Email: syoung@integritysystems.com.au  

For legal inquiries relating to livestock movement records, National Vendor Declarations, the NLIS, or the Livestock Production Assurance program, contact ISC at info@integritysystems.com.au. For all other legal inquiries relating to MLA research, development, and adoption programs, contact MLA at info@mla.com.au.  

Producers can also access a range of how-to guides on the ISC website to assist them in using the NLIS to record livestock movements onto and off their PIC.