What you need to identify livestock before they move — approved identification, requirements by species, and where to get them.
All animals leaving a property (PIC) must be identified with an NLIS-approved device before they move — unless a specific exemption applies or a permit is issued by your state or territory authority.
The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s system for identifying and tracing livestock. Giving each animal a permanent, individual identity means it can be traced through the supply chain — which protects the whole industry.
Market access — trusted traceability underpins access to premium domestic and export markets.
Once an animal is identified, the device stays with it for life. If a device is lost or stops working after the animal has left its property of birth, apply an NLIS-approved post-breeder device.
It is an offence to remove an NLIS device from an animal and apply another. Check your state/territory NLIS authority for how to handle non-functioning devices.
Only devices approved by Integrity Systems may be used under NLIS. There are two roles a device can play, depending on where the animal is in its life.
The first device applied, on the animal’s property of birth, before it moves off for the first time.
A replacement applied once an animal has left its property of birth (e.g. a lost or failed tag).
Approved devices carry the NLIS logo. Cattle devices also have the words ‘Do not remove’ printed on the male button.
Devices are electronic (RFID) — either:
● a single RFID ear tag, or
● a rumen bolus + visual ear tag combination.
All cattle must be identified before moving off a property.
From 1 January 2027, all sheep and managed goats must be tagged with a species-specific electronic (eID) device before leaving a property.
eID has been used in Victoria since 2017.
Only Harvested rangeland goats consigned using the HRG NVD can move with a NLIS device. Always confirm with your state/territory NLIS authority.
More help: Sheep & Goat eID hub · National implementation plan · NLIS AIT Requirements (PDF). LPA HRG
Integrity Systems approves all animal identification for use in the NLIS under the NLIS Animal Identification Technology (AIT) Approval Program. This is carried out in conjunction with SAFEMEAT’s NLIS Device Standards Committee. Before a device earns an NLIS logo licence it must pass assessment, testing and auditing, then complete a 36-month field trial demonstrating suitability and retention.
Integrity Systems approves the identification device, applicator and instructions, but does not approve equipment such as readers or scanners. All electronic devices (RFIDs) must be readable by commercially available handheld and panel readers operating within the bandwidths defined in AS5019-2001. This is part of the device approval process.
You can hire or borrow a wand or panel reader from your agent. A crush can also help you hold an animal steady to read its device.
An electronic device (RFID) has both an NLISID and an RFID number — either can identify an animal on your property.
NLISID — printed on the outside of the tag and read visually. The first eight characters are the PIC the device was issued to.
RFID — the number on the chip inside the device, read electronically with a tag reader.
Apply the device following the manufacturer’s instructions. Cattle tags go in the right ear; sheep tags usually go in the left ear.
The producer moving the animal is responsible for identifying it before it leaves the property. You do not need to notify NLIS when you tag an animal — devices are automatically registered to your PIC by the manufacturer when issued. It’s good practice to keep your own record of which tag numbers went on which animals.
Either works. Record movements with either number using the ‘livestock moved onto/off my property’ function in the NLIS database.
LPA Accredited producers approved in the HRG module can move eligible goats without an NLIS device to either one registered goat depot or direct to slaughter using a HRG NVD. Movements outside of this pathway require goats to be tagged and consigned using the Goat NVD.
Electronic tags are read with a wand or panel reader. If you don’t have one, hire or borrow from an agent, or use a crush to steady the animal.
Warning emails, database issues or login trouble? Visit NLIS Support or phone the Contact Centre on 1800 683 111.