NLIS Tags for Victoria (VIC)

Order NLIS Tags for Properties in Victoria

You cannot order your NLIS tags through our site, only visual management ear tags.

If your property is located in Victoria (VIC), you CANNOT order NLIS approved ear tags directly from our website. All NLIS tags for use in Victoria for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs must be purchased from the Victorian State Government – Agriculture Victoria.

You can only order Visual Management Ear Tags from our website.

To order NLIS tags in Victoria, please visit:

NLIS Tags for Sheep & Goats

The NLIS (Sheep & Goats) is Australia’s system for identifying and tracking sheep and goats for disease control, food safety and market access purposes.

All sheep and goat producers and keepers must ensure:

  • The land on which their animals are kept has a Property Identification Code (PIC)
  • All sheep and non-exempt goats are identified with an NLIS (Sheep) ear tag before leaving their property
  • The arrival of sheep or goats directly from another property is registered within two days on the NLIS database
  • A National Vendor Declaration (NVD) form or similar movement document is supplied to the person receiving their animals.

Please note, in Victoria, all sheep and goats must be fitted with an accredited NLIS individual electronic identification (eID). To learn more about individual eID for sheep and goats, visit the Agriculture Victoria eID page.

Using correctly coloured NLIS tags that correspond to the year in which the lamb or kid is born is strongly recommended as this allows for visual age identification at a distance and can help with tracing. Learn more on our Year Colours & Letters page.

For more information about NLIS requirements for sheep and goats in VIC, including documents and procedures, visit the Agriculture Victoria website. Other helpful links relating to NLIS sheep and goats are listed below:

NLIS Tags for Cattle

The NLIS (Cattle) involves electronic identification of cattle, buffalo, and bison and the recording of all livestock movements in the NLIS database.

Ensure all cattle moving off your property are tagged:

  • NLIS Breeder and Post-breeder tags must be attached to an animal’s right (offside) ear.
  • Only one electronic NLIS (Cattle) tag must be present on an animal at any time
  • NLIS (Cattle) tags purchased for use on one property must not be applied to cattle located on another property, unless the parcel of land is linked to the PIC. Visit pic.agriculture.vic.gov.au to amend your PIC details.
  • NLIS (Cattle) tags must not be removed – unless the device is damaged and cannot be read electronically.

For more information about NLIS requirements for cattle in VIC, including documents and procedures, visit the Agriculture Victoria website. Other helpful links relating to NLIS cattle are listed below:

NLIS Tags for Pigs

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) ensures lifetime movements of pigs can be identified and recorded within Australia.

All owners and keepers of pigs must:

  • Register the property where pig/s are kept with a Property Identification Code (PIC) and a tattoo brand number
  • Tag or tattoo all pigs moving off their property
  • Register with PigPass
  • Complete paperwork for all pigs moving off their property
  • Complete a movement transfer for all pigs arriving onto their property.

All pig movements (even pet pigs) must be recorded in the national PigPass database, which is immediately transferred to the NLIS database.

For more information about NLIS requirements for pigs in Victoria, including documents and procedures, visit the Agriculture Victoria website. Other helpful links relating to NLIS pigs are listed below:

Other Helpful Links

Useful Information

Our NLIS Products

We offer a full range of NLIS approved products from your favourite suppliers!

With Yolla Ear Tags, there's no need to look anywhere else for your NLIS tags. We offer a full range of NLIS-approved tags and accessories from your favourite suppliers all in one place. We let you customise and visualise your NLIS tags before you order, so you can buy with confidence.

Wholly owned and operated by farmers like you, we strive to bring you the best products at the best prices. With competitive pricing and flat rate shipping, you can rest easy knowing you're getting the best value.

If we don’t stock the product you want, there’s a fair chance we can get it for you. Simply contact our team for help.

NLIS FAQs

Have a question about NLIS? We've put together some of the most frequently asked questions about NLIS below:

What is the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS)?

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia's system for the identification and traceability of cattle, sheep and goats.

All animals are identified with an accredited NLIS tag or device from their property (PIC) of birth. As animals are bought, sold and moved along the supply chain, each movement is recorded centrally on the NLIS database. Using this information, the NLIS is able to provide a life history of an animal's movements.

How Does the NLIS Work?

The NLIS combines three elements to enable the lifetime traceability of animals:

1. All livestock are identified by a visual or electronic ear tag/device. 

2. All physical locations are identified by means of a Property Identification Code (PIC).

3. All livestock location data and movements are recorded in a central database.

What Do I Need for the NLIS?

1. Property Identification Code (PIC)

A Property Identification Code (PIC) is an eight-character code allocated by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) or an equivalent authority in each state or territory to identify a livestock-producing property. Producers must have a PIC to move livestock on and off a property.

2. Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) National Vendor Declaration (NVD)

Each time livestock are moved off a PIC they must be accompanied by some form of movement documentation. For LPA accredited PICs, this must be an LPA NVD.  LPA NVDs guarantee that on-farm practices meet LPA requirements, and ultimately customer expectations.

3. Record Keeping

Australia’s on-farm assurance and traceability systems underpin our reputation for producing safe, high quality livestock products for both domestic and export markets. The effectiveness of these systems depends on compliance and accurate record keeping.

Do Hobby Farmers Need to Register for NLIS?

Yes, hobby farmers must register livestock movements on the NLIS database, regardless of the property size or the number of animals on the property.

What is a Property Identification Code (PIC)?

A Property Identification Code (PIC) is an eight-character code allocated by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) or an equivalent authority in each state or territory to identify a livestock-producing property. Producers must have a PIC to move livestock on and off a property – it forms the basis of Australia’s food safety and traceability programs.  

There are differences between states and territories in how PICs are managed.  In some states, amalgamation of separate PICs owned by the same entity, into a single PIC, is allowed.  In other states, one property can be issued multiple PICs if there are livestock owned by multiple entities on the property.  It is important to understand the requirements for your state or territory.

How Do I Obtain a PIC?

PICs are issued by state and territory departments to identify parcels of land used for agricultural purposes. To obtain a PIC, contact the relevant authority in your state or territory.

To learn more about PICs and to check to confirm that your PIC is accredited, you can visit the NLIS website.

What is a National Vendor Declaration (NVD)?

The Livestock Production Assurance NVD is a food safety document that includes questions regarding livestock management practices and livestock history.

As a signed declaration that accompanies livestock along the supply chain, NVDs provide assurance from the producer through to the processor that the meat will be safe to eat and is ethically produced.

You must be LPA accredited to access LPA NVDs. When you tick the boxes and sign your LPA NVD, you are declaring your on-farm practices meet LPA requirements, and ultimately customer expectations.

Your declaration must be backed up by accurate farm records. This is your pledge that the meat from your farm has been produced safely, ethically and meets biosecurity requirements – it means you stand by what you sell.

For the current version of the LPA NVD, and to learn more about electronic eNDV system, visit the NLIS website.

How Do I Keep Good Records for LPA?

Good records and systems are the foundation of the integrity system.

When you tick the box on your LPA NVD, you are guaranteeing your on-farm practices meet LPA requirements, and ultimately customer expectations. Your tick must be backed up by accurate farm records.

When it comes to keeping good records for LPA, there is no perfect formula; however, the LPA record keeping templates on the NLIS site are used by many producers and include all details that must be recorded.

Remember, that should you be required to participate in an LPA audit, your LPA records will be reviewed by an auditor, so it’s important to make sure they are accurate and up to date.

The timeframe for retaining records varies between LPA and state and territory requirements. 

To learn more about necessary record keeping and to download the templates required to maintain your LPA records, visit the NLIS site.

When Should I Contact My State or Territory Authority About NLIS?

Your local state or territory authority can help you with the following:

  • PIC registration
  • Ordering NLIS devices
  • Livestock movement requirements
  • NLIS compliance, including timeframes for completing transfers on the database
  • Checking chemical residue history when purchasing/leasing or agisting property.

To report stolen livestock, you should contact your local police.

Still Have Questions About the NLIS Tag Requirements in Victoria?

Feel free to contact our team for further assistance.

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