NLIS approved devices or tags
The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) ensures lifetime movements of cattle, bison, buffalo, sheep, pigs and goats can be identified and recorded within Australia. Queensland supports the need for national consistency of specifications for approved devices and the type of devices used for individual species.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, the chief executive decides the specifications for approved devices (NLIS devices) to be fitted to different types of special designated animals. The specifications are consistent with the NLIS standards.
The chief executive has decided that only certain devices that have passed a national accreditation process may be used on cattle, bison, buffalo sheep, goats and pigs – these are known as approved devices. No other special designated animal is required to have an approved device fitted to it.
Cattle, bison, buffalo
- Devices which have full or conditional NLIS accreditation status are accredited devices for cattle (PDF, 432KB), bison and buffalo and must be fitted to cattle, bison and buffalo before the animal is moved off a property.
- A white 'breeder' tag must be fitted to cattle, bison and buffalo before the animal is moved off its property of birth.
- Once fitted, a tag must remain on the animal for life.
- If a tag is removed or falls off, it must be replaced with an orange 'post-breeder' tag.
Sheep and goats
- All lambs and kids born after 1 January 2025 must be fitted with an approved accredited electronic identification (eID) device before leaving the property of birth.
- From 1 January 2027, all sheep and goats must be fitted with an approved accredited eID device before leaving a property as part of Queensland's individual eID implementation.
- Devices which have full or conditional NLIS accreditation status and are accredited devices for sheep and goats (PDF, 680KB) must be fitted to sheep and goats before the animal is moved off a property.
- A coloured tag corresponding to the animal's year of birth is not mandatory in Queensland, but an approved NLIS device must be fitted to sheep and goats before the animal is moved off its property of birth.
- Once fitted, a tag must remain on the animal for life.
- If a tag is removed or falls off, it must be replaced with a pink 'post-breeder' tag.
Pigs
- Devices which have full or conditional NLIS accreditation status are accredited devices for pigs (PDF, 102KB).
- A registered brand for a pig under the Brands Act 1915 is also an approved device for use on pigs.
- A device or a brand must be fitted to pigs before the animal is moved off a property.
- Once fitted, a device or brand must remain on the animal for life.
- If a tag is removed, or falls off, it must be replaced with an orange 'post-breeder' tag.
Obtaining approved devices or tags
As a registered biosecurity entity you can order a NLIS device or tag from the online portal. Application forms are also available at Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) offices where inspectors are located.
Contact us online, by phone or in person for assistance.