NLIS Movement Record

The National Livestock Identification System, commonly known as NLIS, is Australia's system for tracking livestock from birth to slaughter. It was introduced to improve food safety, protect our export markets, and manage disease outbreaks. The system uses radio frequency identification devices, or RFID ear tags, to trace the movement of cattle, sheep, and goats.

The history of NLIS begins in the 1990s. During this time, international concerns about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, changed how the world traded meat. Major export partners demanded proof of where meat came from and the health history of the animals. The Australian government, along with industry bodies, established NLIS to meet these strict requirements. The system became mandatory for cattle in 2005.

The primary purpose of NLIS is biosecurity and meat safety. If a disease outbreak occurs, authorities can use the NLIS database to trace an infected animal back to its property of birth. They can also trace every other property the animal visited and find other animals it mixed with. This rapid response capability is vital for containing diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease. Without this system, a disease could spread quickly across the country and destroy the livestock industry.

From a business perspective, NLIS protects your market access. Many countries simply will not accept Australian meat without NLIS assurance. The system guarantees that our product is safe and traceable.

Your legal obligations are outlined in the Stock Diseases Act 1923 (NSW) or equivalent legislation in your state or territory. You must comply with the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Standards. These standards detail the type of tags you must use and how to apply them. The Australian Meat Industry Council and Safe Meat Australia also set requirements for lot feeding and processing that rely on NLIS data.

For tradespeople and small business owners, this means you must tag livestock before they leave your property. You must record every movement on the NLIS database. You are legally responsible for the accuracy of these records. Failure to tag animals or report movements can result in significant fines. By following NLIS rules, you are not just obeying the law. You are protecting your own business and the entire Australian livestock industry.

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is not optional. It is a mandatory condition of doing business with livestock in Australia. The system is designed to trace animals from birth to slaughter for biosecurity and food safety. You must comply with specific legislation in your state or territory whenever you move livestock.

If you operate in Queensland, you must follow the Biosecurity Act 2014. This Act sets out the requirements for identifying cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. In New South Wales, the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Biosecurity Regulation 2017 govern these movements. Victorian producers and transporters must adhere to the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017. If you are in Western Australia, the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 and the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013 apply.

South Australian legislation falls under the Livestock Act 1997, while Tasmania uses the Animal Health Act 1995. In the Northern Territory, the Biosecurity Act 2008 is the relevant law.

Regardless of your location, the legal requirement is clear. Before livestock move between properties with different Property Identification Codes (PICs), or to a saleyard or slaughterhouse, you must complete an NLIS Movement Record. You must tag animals with an approved NLIS device before they leave your property. The movement record must be submitted to the NLIS database within the strict timeframe set by your state regulator. For most states, you must record the movement within 48 hours.

The authorities take these rules seriously. Inspectors from the Department of Primary Industries or local biosecurity officers conduct random checks at saleyards, abattoirs and on-farm. If you fail to tag animals, fail to update the database, or move animals without a Waybill or Movement Record, you face significant penalties.

Penalties vary by state but generally include substantial on-the-spot fines for minor offences. For more serious breaches, courts can issue fines running into tens of thousands of dollars for individuals and hundreds of thousands for corporations. In some jurisdictions, non-compliance can result in the suspension of your PIC or the seizure of your livestock. You may also be liable for costs associated with tracing disease outbreaks caused by poor records.

Ignoring these rules puts the entire industry at risk and will hurt your bottom line. Keep your records up to date and ensure every animal is tagged before it leaves your gate.

To record a movement on the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database, you must follow the rules set out in the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and the Standards for Accreditation of Non-Residential Livestock Destinations. The process transfers the digital responsibility for the animals from the sender to the receiver. Both parties must hold a current Property Identification Code (PIC) before starting.

For the sender, the first step is to upload the movement details. Log in to your NLIS database account and select the option to create a new movement. You must enter the PIC of the property sending the livestock and the PIC of the property receiving them. Next, input the date of the movement and the specific transport details, including the vehicle registration number. You then need to list the NLIS RFID tags or visual tags for every animal in the consignment. Accuracy is critical here because the database matches these numbers against the animals on your PIC. Once you confirm the details are correct, submit the movement. You are legally responsible for ensuring this data is entered within the required timeframe.

For the receiver, the process involves accepting this transfer. You will receive a notification that a movement is pending for your PIC. Log in to the database and locate the incoming movement. Check that the animal numbers, the sender’s PIC, and the transport details match the physical livestock and the paperwork provided by the driver. If the details are correct, accept the movement on the system. This action updates the NLIS database to show the animals are now located on your property. If there is a mistake or missing data, do not accept the movement. You must contact the sender to correct the information and resubmit it.

Under the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) standards and state biosecurity regulations, you must keep these records. The movement must be recorded and finalized before the livestock leave the property or within 48 hours of arrival. Failure to record a movement or incorrect recording can result in significant fines. Always keep a backup copy of the movement record for your own business files.

Tagging Rules for the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) ensure we track animals from property of birth to slaughter or processing. You must use both visual and RFID devices for cattle and visual tags for sheep and goats. These devices act as the primary link between the animal and the NLIS database.

Cattle Requirements All cattle must carry an NLIS accredited RFID ear tag before leaving the property of birth. This tag uses radio frequency technology to transmit the unique number to a reader. Under the National Livestock Identification System (Cattle) Standards, you must ensure the RFID device is fitted in the animal's ear or as a rumen bolus or pastern band in specific circumstances. Visual ear tags are not mandatory for cattle movement but are highly recommended for easy visual identification. You must order RFID tags through your state’s database, such as the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) scheme, to ensure the numbers link correctly to your PIC.

Sheep and Goat Requirements For sheep and goats, the requirements differ based on your location. Under the National Livestock Identification System (Sheep and Goats) Standards, animals require a visually readable ear tag or a tail tag for goats. This tag must display your Property Identification Code (PIC). If you are in a jurisdiction where electronic sheep tags are mandated, you must use an NLIS approved RFID sheep tag.

Breeder Tags A breeder tag signifies the animal was born on your property. This device features your PIC and a unique serial number. For cattle, the breeder RFID tag is orange. For sheep, breeder tags are generally pink, though you must check your specific state requirements. You must apply a breeder tag to the animal before it leaves its property of birth. This tag stays with the animal for life. You must not remove it unless you have an exemption from the relevant Controlling Body.

Post Breeder Tags If you receive an animal that is not tagged with a breeder tag, or if the original tag is lost, you must apply a post breeder tag. For cattle, this RFID tag is white. For sheep, post breeder tags are generally yellow. The post breeder tag shows your PIC but indicates the animal was born elsewhere. When moving these animals, the movement record must document the transfer to your property using the vendor’s PIC before the subsequent move to a new location or sale.

It is your responsibility to ensure tags are correctly applied and readable. Do not use tags that are damaged or illegible. Always follow the Standards relevant to your state or territory.

How long do I have to notify a movement? You must update the NLIS database within 48 hours of the stock moving off your Property Identification Code (PIC). This strict timeframe applies to all movements, including going to sale, slaughter, or another property. Failing to meet this deadline breaches the Stock Diseases Act 1923 (NSW) and equivalent legislation in other states. Late notifications can result in on-the-spot fines or compliance action from your local authority.

What does it cost to use the NLIS? The cost structure involves two parts. First, you pay for the physical device or RFID tag from your chosen tag reseller. Prices vary by retailer and tag type. Second, transaction fees apply when you record the movement. Most NLIS service providers charge a fee per transaction or a monthly subscription rate. You should check with your database provider for their specific schedule of fees, as these differ between organisations.

What should I do if a tag is lost or becomes unreadable? If an animal arrives without a tag or the tag is damaged, you must apply a new NLIS accredited tag to the animal before it moves from your property. Do not simply apply a post-breeder tag if the animal is already part of the system. You should use a pink post-breeder tag and record the movement details against your PIC. If you find a lost tag on your property, attach it to a NLIS “device record” sheet and inform the database provider so they can update the status. You must not reuse the tag on a different animal.

Can I move stock without a vendor declaration? No. A National Vendor Declaration (NVD) or Waybill is a legal requirement for moving livestock. It works alongside the NLIS movement record to provide food safety and disease tracking information. The Australian Meat Industry Council standards require this document for all transactions. The NVD must travel with the animals. Without a completed NVD and correct NLIS movement, processors and saleyards will reject the consignment.

Who is responsible for the data? The person receiving the livestock is responsible for recording the movement on the NLIS database. However, the sender must ensure the animals are correctly tagged and that the NVD is accurate. Both parties share the responsibility to ensure the Traceability Standards are met. If you buy livestock, ensure you receive the movement paperwork or email confirmation to verify the transfer has been completed.

Transporter Duties under the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) are specific and mandatory. As a transporter, you must ensure the physical movement of livestock matches the digital record and the paperwork carried in the vehicle.

Your primary responsibility is to carry a correct and completed Waybill or National Vendor Declaration (NVD) at all times. You cannot move stock without this document. You must check that the paperwork matches the livestock on the truck. This includes verifying the correct Property Identification Codes (PICs) for both the property of origin and the destination. If the PIC on the document does not match the PIC on the ear tags, you must refuse the load until the owner corrects the error.

You are responsible for updating the NLIS database to record the movement of the animals. This requirement is outlined in the Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption. When you deliver the livestock to a saleyard, feedlot, or abattoir, the receiver usually transfers the animals to their PIC using the NLIS database. However, if you are the transporter and you take ownership of the stock, or if you are moving them to a different PIC than the one listed on the original NVD, you must perform the transfer yourself. You generally use the NLIS database website or the scanned Waybill details to process this transfer within the required timeframe.

You must ensure the NLIS devices are readable. Before loading, check the tags in the animals' ears. If a tag is damaged, lost, or unreadable, the owner must apply a pink (post-breeder) NLIS tag before transport. It is illegal to transport livestock without an accredited NLIS device.

If an animal dies or is injured during transit, you must follow specific protocols. Record the event immediately. You must not dispose of the carcass without permission. Contact the receiver or the owner for instructions. You may need to report this on the Waybill or arrange for a veterinarian inspection.

Under the Livestock Disease Control Act and various state transport regulations, you must ensure the fit-to-load requirements are met. You have a duty of care to prevent animal suffering. Do not load stock that are unable to walk, are severely injured, or are in poor condition. If you are stopped by Agriculture or Biosecurity officers, they will ask for your paperwork and check the tag numbers against the database. Failure to carry correct documentation or failing to update the NLIS movement record can result in heavy fines. Keep your records accurate and up to date to ensure a smooth operation.