Property Identification Codes for Victorian Plant Industries

Property Identification Codes (PICs) are being progressively introduced to plant industries in Victoria.

PICs will assist DEPI to respond to plant pest and disease outbreaks, so that industries are informed earlier and disruption to trade is minimised.

The viticulture industries were the first to be included in this initiative.

PICs are also used in the dairy and livestock industries as part of the National Livestock Identification System.

What is a Property Identification Code (PIC)?

A Property Identification Code (PIC) is a unique eight-character code allocated by DPI to the owner or occupier of a property.

Victorian PICs begin with the number 3, followed by four letters and three more numbers e.g. 3ABCD123. The first two letters identify the shire in which the property is located.

A single PIC can be allocated to a property consisting of more than one block of land, provided the blocks are part of the one enterprise and are within the one shire or in adjacent shires. 

Properties in the one enterprise but located in shires which are not adjacent require separate PICs.

What are PICs used for?

PICs are already well established for the livestock industries in all Australian states and territories, to enable tracing of stock movements for market access, food safety and disease control purposes.

PICs for Victorian plant industries will be used in relation to pest or disease outbreaks. The contact details registered with the PIC will allow DEPI to inform the property owner or occupier about any requirements associated with a pest or disease outbreak. These may include the treatment and certification of affected plant materials or associated equipment.

Do I need to apply for a PIC?

As of 1 July 2012, if you grow 0.5 hectares or more of grapevines within Victoria, you are required by law (Plant Biosecurity Act 2010) to apply for a Property Identification Code (PIC).

Grapevine growers who also have livestock are likely to already have a PIC. If so, you are required to inform DEPI if 0.5 hectares or more of grapevines are grown on the property. In this case, your current PIC will not change but will be updated to include this data.

Growers not producing grapevines can apply for a PIC for other crops grown for commercial purposes, but this is not mandatory at present. Home gardeners are not required to apply for a PIC.

There is no cost to apply for or update a PIC.

How do I apply for a PIC?

To apply for a PIC, you must complete the application form below. You may telephone 1800 678 779 during business hours to ask for a form to be sent to you.

Once completed, the form can be faxed, emailed or posted to the DPI PIC Registrar.

Plant industry Property Identification Code application (Word doc, 2pp, 89Kb)

What happens if my contact details change?

If your contact details change you must notify DEPI within 30 days of the change(s), by completing and submitting an application form as shown above.

Further information

For more information, please telephone 1800 678 779 between 9.00am and 4.30pm Monday - Friday. Please note that PICs cannot be issued over the telephone; you must complete the attached application form.

Information regarding PICs for the animal industries is available on the National Livestock Identification System page.