What is NLIS?

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia's system for identifying and tracking beef and dairy cattle, as well as sheep and goats. The Victorian Government and livestock industry organisations have agreed to work together to fully implement the NLIS so that consumers in Australia and overseas can have confidence in our beef, sheep meat and dairy products. The NLIS enables animals to be reliably identified and tracked from their property of birth to slaughter, protecting the reputation of Victoria's livestock industries.

Order Sheep & Goats Electronic Tags Online Back to NLIS Home Page

Why is the NLIS (Sheep & Goats) needed? Victoria's live sheep and sheep meat exports have increased from $248 million in 1997/98 to $448 million in 2004/05. This makes Victoria Australia's leading exporter of sheep meat. The NLIS (Sheep & Goat) is needed to enhance Australia's ability to quickly and successfully access key domestic and export markets. Background The NLIS (Sheep & Goats) was introduced using visual ear tags on the 1st January, 2006. All properties running sheep and/or farmed goats are now required to have a Property Identification Code (PIC) and all sheep and farmed goats that have been born after 1st January must be identified with an NLIS Sheep Breeder or Post Breeder tag before being dispatched to another property or saleyard. From the 28th November, 2007, electronic NLIS (Sheep) Tags will be available to sheep and goats producers as an alternative to the visual NLIS ear tags. The use of electronic NLIS (Sheep) Tags is a voluntary program, offering interested producers the option to make use of this exciting new technology for both traceability and on farm uses.