Financial assistance for sheep and goat electronic identification (eID)

Review

Independent consultant ACIL Allen reviewed the cost-sharing arrangement with Queensland's sheep and goat producers towards the cost of individual eID. The review was finalised in October 2025.

It included consultation with:

• producers
• state and national peak industry bodies
• processors
• saleyards
• government agencies.

Findings

• The uptake of financial assistance was less than expected. Possible reasons for this include:
  • overestimating the number of potential applications, particularly from producers
  • closure of the scheme before some could apply
  • the structure of the assistance being a capped rebate
  • communications, particularly to small producers
  • lack of industry readiness to implement eID.
• There was a high level of support for eID and its importance to livestock industry integrity.
• Queensland, like other states, experienced constraints in the roll out of financial assistance.
• With the 1 January 2027 implementation deadline fast approaching, there is an increased need to support maximising the number of sheep and goats with devices before full implementation.

Recommendations

The review recommended a second round of financial assistance and ongoing industry engagement to enhance early adoption and industry readiness for full implementation of sheep and goat eID by 1 January 2027.

Further funding

A second round of financial assistance to help ease the financial burden and ensure the sheep and goat industry can adopt eID was announced in November 2025.

In 2026:

• point-of-sale discounts on eID devices will be available for Queensland sheep and goat producers
• Queensland processors, saleyards and agriculture show sub chambers may also be eligible for a capped rebate of up to 50% of the cost of eligible items.

More information about the details of the second round of financial assistance will be available in early 2026.