NLIS for Sheep & Goats

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) has been developed with the input of a wide cross section of the sheep and goat industries, to maintain and improve access to export markets by strengthening the integrity of our product in the supply chain. Consumers, world wide, are demanding greater accountability in the production of food from the paddock to the plate.

NLIS enhances the ability to traceback livestock movements during any animal health (exotic disease) or residue incident, potentially saving valuable time and a lot of expense in responding effectively to such a crisis.

Sheep and goat Electronic Identification (eID)

As of 1 January 2025, it is a requirement that all newborn sheep and goats be identified with NLIS approved electronic identification (eID) devices. By January 2027, all sheep and goats leaving your property must be fitted with an eID, regardless of their age. More information on the transition to eIDs can be found on our sheep and goat eID webpage.

How does the system work?

eIDs are National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) approved tags that contain a microchip which provides a unique electronic identification of an animal.

The attachment of NLIS approved Sheep or Goat ear tags, coupled with the use of approved movement documents, provide the basis for recording the complete history of the movement of sheep and goats.

Current requirements:

All properties running sheep or goats must have a Property Identification Code (PIC).
All sheep and goats leaving a property must be correctly identified.
A movement document must accompany all sheep and goats when leaving a property. Approved movement documents include a National Vendor Declaration (NVD), a Tasmanian Generic Vendor Declaration (GVD) or a Post Sale Summary (for livestock moving from saleyards only). If you are a livestock owner, movement documents must be kept by both parties (seller and receiver) for a minimum of 5 years for sheep and goats.

Types of NLIS sheep and goat devices

As of 1 January 2025, newborn sheep and goats are required to be identified with an NLIS approved electronic identification (eID) device.

By January 2027, all sheep and goats leaving your property must be fitted with an eID, regardless of their age or destination.

There are two general categories of tags:

1. Sheep or goat Breeder Tags

Must be applied on the property of birth before sheep or goats are moved to a new property.

The colour of the tags should match the "colour of the year" in which the sheep or goat was born. The "colour of the year" changes each year in an eight year rotating pattern.

Sheep NLIS identification tag - approved year of birth colour system. The year of birth colour system has eight colours. The colours are black, white, orange, light green, purple, yellow, red and sky blue, in that order.

Rotating colour of the year system for NLIS accredited sheep and goat tags. More information on tagging sheep and goats can be found in the NLIS Sheep and Goat Standards booklet.

2. Sheep or Goat Post Breeder Tags