Live export holding facilities and the NLIS

Live export holding operators are identified under the Biosecurity Act 2014 as a registrable biosecurity entity and must comply with the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) requirements.

Registrable biosecurity entities must register with Biosecurity Queensland to be allocated a property identification code (PIC) for livestock traceability purposes.

NLIS tagging requirements

All cattle, buffalo, bison, sheep and goats must be identified with an NLIS device before travelling to a live export holding.

Any of these animals that arrive at the facility without a device must be reported to a Biosecurity Queensland inspector within 24 hours of delivery and be fitted with an orange NLIS post-breeder device (cattle), or a pink NLIS post-breeder device (sheep or goat), with the PIC of the holding before leaving the holding.

Movement records

All animal movements must be accompanied by a movement record from the place where the animal is kept to the live export holding.

A copy of the movement record must be kept by the exporter for 5 years. Any additional identification requirements and documentation for importing countries must also be met.

Reporting to the NLIS database

It is the exporter's responsibility to report all movements of cattle, sheep and goats to the NLIS database within 48 hours of the animals arriving at the export holding.

To report to the NLIS database, exporters must register for a 'live exporter' NLIS account. To register for a 'live exporter' account, visit the NLIS website. If you require further assistance, contact the NLIS helpdesk on 1800 654 743.

Property of origin certification

Property of origin certificates certify that the properties from which animals or animal products originate are free of relevant reportable or notifiable diseases and pests. The provision of property of origin certificates by the Queensland Government is essential to facilitating international trade.

Find out more and apply for property of origin certification for the export of livestock, other commercial or exhibited animals, or animal products.

Reporting on cattle, buffalo and bison movements

Property of origin to live export holding facility

You must report the following information to the NLIS database when cattle, buffalo or bison arrive at your live export holding:

  • NLIS or RFID device number for each animal
  • serial number of the movement record
  • PIC of the property of origin
  • PIC of the live export holding
  • date of arrival.

Live export holding to vessel

All cattle, buffalo and bison must be scanned, and the following information must be reported to the NLIS database when livestock leave the holding:

  • NLIS or RFID device number for each animal
  • serial number of the certificate under the Export Control Act 1982
  • PIC of the live export holding facility
  • code for the place of destination (EEEEEEEE)
  • date of movement.

Reporting on sheep and goat movements

Currently, sheep and goats are reported using the 'mob-based movement' function, which can be found in the live export account.

However, from 1 January 2025, as part of the agreed national initiative, Queensland will transition to electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats.

Lambs and kids born after 1 January 2025 must be fitted with an approved accredited eID device before leaving the property of birth. These devices must be scanned and the movement reported to the NLIS database for each animal.

From 1 January 2027, all sheep and goats must be fitted with an approved accredited eID device before leaving a property, scanned and reported to the NLIS database for each animal.

Place to live export holding

Sheep and goats born after 1 January 2025

You must report the following information to the NLIS database when sheep arrive at your live export holding:

  • NLIS or RFID device number for each animal
  • serial number of the movement record
  • PIC of the property of origin
  • PIC of the live export holding
  • date of arrival.

Sheep and goats born before 1 January 2025

You must report the following information to the NLIS database when livestock arrive at your live export holding:

  • species
  • number of animals
  • serial number of the movement record
  • PIC of the property of origin
  • PIC of the live export holding
  • date of arrival
  • the PIC of any place, other than the property of origin, as shown on the animal's approved device
  • if the animals have been vendor-bred or not.

Live export holding to vessel

You must report the following information to the NLIS database when livestock leave the holding:

  • species
  • number of animals
  • serial number of the certificate under the Export Control Act 1982, PIC of the live export holding
  • code for place of destination (EEEEEEEE)
  • date of movement
  • the PIC of any place, other than the property of origin, as shown on the animal's approved device
  • if the animals have been vendor-bred or not.

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