What is NLIS?
The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is underpinned by State and Territory legislation across Australia and endorsed by supply chain bodies representing producers, feedlots, agents, saleyards and processors. The NLIS is managed by Integrity Services Company (ISC) which also manages the Livestock Assurance Program (LPA) and National Vendor Declaration (NVD) systems. Together, these food safety and traceability systems help domestic and global market opportunities for the red meat industry through high levels of product assurance. ISC also has responsibility for the development and delivery of the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Digital Value Chain Strategy.
The requirement for traceability on NLIS is that:
all identifiable livestock are identified by eID or a visual tag/device
premises where identifiable livestock are held have a Property Identification Code (PIC)
all identifiable livestock (sheep, goats and cattle) movements are recorded on NLIS.
Which livestock must be recorded on the NLIS?
The Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 (the Regulations) require that identifiable livestock are only held on premises with a PIC and identified with a visual tag or electronic identification device (eID). Identifiable livestock are those species or classes of livestock declared by the Minster under the Regulations.
The following identifiable livestock must be recorded on the NLIS:
Pigs are also identifiable livestock and must be recorded on PigPass.
Identifiable livestock include all species identified whether they are commercial farm animals, hobby farm animals or pets.
Why do I need a NLIS account?
Being able to quickly identify the location of identifiable livestock is critical to biosecurity, disease outbreak, chemical residue issues, food safety and market access. Effective traceability supports our farmers and other supply chain businesses and employees, livestock and economy. When livestock owners or operators don’t comply with the legal requirements, it places the supply chain and livestock at significant risk.
It is important that you take responsibility for referring to the NLIS website to understand the requirements and rationale for identifying and tracing identifiable livestock.
How do I get a NLIS account?
To register for a NLIS account, you need to have a Property Identification Code (PIC) issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. The Department can authorise approval for the purchase of NLIS accredited tags in Tasmania but registering for a NLIS account is done directly with NLIS, ISC.
Who is responsible for updating the NLIS database?
Once you purchase NLIS accredited eIDs, they are individually registered to your PIC on the NLIS database by the manufacturer.
When livestock are physically moved, a transfer must be completed on the NLIS database.
The person responsible for updating the movement transfer on the NLIS database varies depending on the situation:
saleyards record movements for livestock bought, sold or moved through them
buyers/receivers record direct sales or movements not involving saleyards
vendors/senders are not obligated to record movements off their property (but they can if the receiver hasn't)
abattoirs record movements for all received livestock.
For more information refer to Buying and Selling Livestock.
Who can I contact to discuss NLIS issues?
NLIS, Integrity Systems Company
Phone: 1800 683 111
Email: info@integritysystems.com.au