Stock routes and the NLIS

Local authorities operating stock routes are identified under the Biosecurity Act 2014 as a registrable biosecurity entity and must comply with 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, sheep and goats must be identified with an approved NLIS device before entering the stock route.

If any of these animals are without a device and then leave the stock route, they must be fitted with an orange NLIS post-breeder device bearing the PIC of the destination before further movement. The stock route's PIC can be confirmed with the local biosecurity officer.

Stock born en route will be fitted with a post-breeder device from the destination PIC upon arrival.

Movement records

All animal movements must be accompanied by a movement record from the property of origin to destination via the stock routes.

A copy of the movement record for the stock route movements must be kept by livestock owner for 5 years.

Reporting to the NLIS database

It is the livestock owners or drover's responsibility to report all movements of cattle, sheep and goats to the NLIS database within 48 hours of the stock entering the stock route. Any subsequent movements onto different stock routes across shire boundaries or other PICs must also be transferred on the database. Cattle do not need to be re-read each time they move; the first reading will suffice for subsequent transfers. However, if cattle are added to, or removed from, the mob these devices must be added to or removed from the original reader file.

To comply with your NLIS notification requirement you should contact your local biosecurity officer or NLIS Ltd to discuss their NLIS reporting options. If you require further assistance contact the NLIS helpdesk on 1800 654 743.

Livestock owners can also obtain the services of an agent to assist with transferring devices along the stock routes.

Reporting cattle movements

Place to stock route, stock route to stock route and stock route to place

The following information must be reported when completing a cattle transfer:

  • NLIS or RFID tag number for each animal
  • serial number of the movement record
  • PIC of the place of origin
  • PIC of the place of destination
  • date of arrival.

Reporting sheep and goat movements

Mob based movement

The following information must be reported when completing a 'mob based movement':

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