A NSW Government website

Department of Primary Industries

8-step guide to moving and selling sheep and goats with eID


NSW is transitioning towards sheep and goat eID

Recording of mob-based movements is changing to individual sheep and goat movements using eIDs from 2025. Sheep and farmed goats born on or after 1 January 2025 must be identified with eIDs. All older sheep and goats must have eIDs before they leave any property from 1 January 2027 onwards.

Find more information about the transition to eID for sheep and farmed goats in NSW here.



Wondering what to do when moving or selling sheep and goats in NSW? Here are 8 steps for you to follow to make sure you are complying with the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Regulation.


Step 1: Make sure you have a Property Identification Code (PIC)

Have you got an active PIC for your property? Contact your nearest Local Land Services (LLS) or phone 1300 795 299 to register.

Step 2: Become accredited with the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) Program

To move livestock off your property, you need to complete a National Vendor Declaration and Waybill (NVD).

To access the electronic NVD (eNVD) web based system or mobile app, or to purchase a book of printed NVDs, you need to be accredited with LPA.

Register via phone 1800 683 111 or visit www.integritysystems.com.au

Step 3: Access National Vendor Declarations (NVDs)

Access digital eNVDs through your LPA Program account or on the eNVD Livestock Consignments app.

Order printed NVD books with your PIC details included via www.integritysystems.com.au or call 1800 683 111.

Step 4: Create an NLIS database account and link it in your myMLA dashboard

All sheep and goat movements must be recorded on the NLIS database. Register here to create an NLIS account.

You can create a myMLA dashboard at www.mla.com.au and link your LPA and NLIS accounts to access them all from one location and one log in.

Step 5: Order accredited NLIS electronic identification (eID) devices

NLIS eIDs can be ordered through your rural merchandiser or tag manufacturer. Place your order at least 14 days before you need them.

What type of identification do I order?

For sheep and farmed goats born from1 January 2025, an NLIS eID is required. For sheep and farmed goats born before that date,an NLIS visual tag is acceptable until 1 January 2027 when they will require an NLIS eID.

Miniature, earless and dairy goats can use NLIS electronic leg bands. For approved NLIS tags, visit the ISC website.

NLIS eIDs

An NLIS eID contains two distinct numbers; either can be used to record stock movements in the NLIS database.

The NLIS ID is printed on the outside of the eID and includes:

Image shows a tag with 16 digits, colour coded to signify the meaning of each digit. Black text (first 8 digits) is the PIC number, Grey (the 9th digit) is manufacturer code, Green (10th digit) is device type e.g S is sheep, Purple (11th digit) is year code Yellow (last 5 digits)is serial number

The Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) number is encoded on the microchip inside the eID. It is globally unique and can only be read by an eID scanner. Its sequence includes the manufacturer’s code and the device number.


Breeder devices

NSW DPI strongly recommends using year-of-birth coloured eIDs for animals born on your property.

Sheep/Goat year of birth breeder devices,Year          Colour 2024    2032       Black 2025    2033       White    2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031    2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039    Orange Light Green Purple Yellow Red Sky BluePost-breeder tags 

These are applied to sheep or goats no longer on their property of birth, or to introduced animals that have lost their original device.

If an animal has a visual NLIS tag, leave it in the ear, and attach an NLIS postbreeder eID when required. Sheep and goat post-breeder devices are pink.

Step 6: Check sheep and goat tags

Before selling or moving, check each animal has an NLIS device, except harvested rangeland goats going direct to an abattoir or an approved goat depot.

Unidentified stock must be fitted with an NLIS device for the PIC they are currently located on. Use breeder devices in sheep and goats on their property of birth, and postbreeder devices for sheep and goats not born on that property.

Reminder

Sheep and goats must only have one NLIS eID.

Step 7: Complete the NVD

The NVD or Transported Stock Statement (TSS), must be completed prior to movement of your stock.

  • The NVD and TSS are legal documents and must be signed and completed correctly. Answer all
    questions.
  • Use an NVD or TSS with the agistment property PIC if you are moving stock from agistment.
  • Keep your copy of the NVD or TSS for 7 years.

Step 8: Complete transfers onto your PIC in the NLIS database

  1. Log onto the database through your myMLA dashboard, with your user ID and password.
  2. Select the species to move onto your PIC. You can choose to either type in the details (simplest), or upload a file, to enter the data
  3. Type in or upload a file with the following details:
    a. All individual NLIS ID or RFID numbers
    b. From PIC
    c. To PIC
    d. NVD Serial Number
    e. Date of movement
  4. Follow prompts to confirm details. Send the information to the database within two working days of the movement.

For more help on how to complete an NVD or an online NLIS transfer, visit; www.integritysystems.com.au, call 1800 654 743,
or Local Land Services 1300 795 299

Reminder

Movements of sheep and goats between PICs are recorded in the NLIS database by the owner or receiver of the livestock, e.g. when buying sheep in a private sale or from an online auction.

Saleyards record movements of sheep and goats to and from their premises, and abattoirs and registered goat depots record movements onto their premises. Agents can help record movements onto your property if you prearranged with them to do so.