Property Identification Codes

In NSW a PIC is assigned by Local Land Services for the purpose of identifying land used for agricultural purposes. Local Land Services maintain PIC registers which hold up-to-date information on each property, such as name or address and PIC manager details. PICs are usually renewed every three years and landholders, or the person using the land to run their livestock (such as a lessee or person with stock on agistment) pay a fee to renew the PIC. In some cases, the PIC fee is included in the annual LLS rates for that property.

Each property has a unique PIC, and more than one property or holding can be combined under one PIC (as long as the properties are worked as a single property and are proximate). The PIC assigned to these amalgamated properties should be the PIC of the major land holding, The PIC(s) for the other holding(s) should be made inactive.

PICs are fundamental to the operation and integrity of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs because movements on the NLIS database are recorded between PICs. This means animal mpvements can be easily traced using PICs.

Every livestock producer should have a PIC because:

• a PIC is printed on approved livestock identifiers (NLIS tags and devices)
• the NLIS database records 'To' and 'From' PICs for every individual cattle movement and every mob-based movement for sheep and goats
• a 'From' PIC is recorded on stock movement documents such as National Vendor Declarations (NVD) and Transported Stock Statements (TSS)
• a PIC is required for industry quality assurance programs, e.g. Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) and Australian Pork Industry Quality (APIQ) programs
• an NVD or PigPass NVD is required for each consignment of stock for sale or slaughter. Owners of small farms that have not previously been assigned a PIC are encouraged to obtain a PIC for their property from their Local Land Services office. Ring 1300 795 299 to locate your Local Land Services office.

• Application form for a Property Identification Code (PIC) - Local Land Services
  Click here to download the PIC application form

• Biosecurity NLIS Procedures for assigning PICs and managing and accessing registers (PDF, 590.45 KB)
  The purpose of this procedure is to set out how the NSW Government will assign and manage Property Identification Codes (PICs) and how they will manage and access the district, state and NLIS registers.
• Biosecurity NLIS - Compliance Procedures for Property Identification codes (PDF, 240.63 KB)
  The purpose of this Procedure is to define procedures and responsibilities for and limitations to the monitoring and enforcement of property identification codes (PICs).
• Format of NSW PICs (PDF, 212.7 KB)
  This document describes the format of PICs and identifies the district codes within NSW.