A NSW Government website

NLIS Cattle

Find up to date information about the National Livestock Identification system requirements for cattle

NLIS Cattle


The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s system for the identification and tracing of livestock, achieved through a combination of permanent identifiers, movement documents and database records.

The NLIS database holds information on cattle movements from birth to slaughter, to protect and enhance Australia’s reputation as a producer of beef and beef products that are free of chemical residues and exotic diseases. NLIS Cattle has been operating in NSW since 1 July 2004.




NLIS requirements for cattle

NLIS (Cattle) was introduced in NSW on 1 July 2004 and involves electronic identification of cattle and recording of all cattle movements in the NLIS database. Cattle are identified with approved NLIS ear devices, or rumen boluses and a matching ear tag. All movements of cattle to sale, slaughter or to any other property are recorded in the NLIS database.

8 step guide

All movements of cattle between properties with different Property Identification Codes (PICs) must be recorded in the NLIS database and all cattle must be identified with an NLIS device before they leave their property of birth or any other property.

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