Producers

Key dates

Basic requirements

1. Property identification code (PIC).
2. eID tags – NLIS-accredited breeder or post breeder devices (PDF 512.4 KB).
3. NLIS database account – only a requirement for producers who conduct P2P movements.
4. Scanning equipment – may be beneficial if you conduct P2P movements for a large number of animals.

Tagging

Sheep and farmed goats that are born on or after 1 January 2025 must be fitted with an NLIS-accredited electronic breeder device before leaving their property of birth. This is a requirement for anyone who owns one or more sheep or farmed goats, even if they are kept as pets.

Breeder tags are colour coded under the NLIS year-of-birth colour system. This system is voluntary in South Australia and is used by most producers for management purposes.

Grey and brown eID tags are not included in the year-of-birth colour system and are not NLIS approved. Post breeder tags are pink and are used to permanently identify non-vendor bred animals that have lost their breeder tag while on your property.

Sheep and farmed goats born before 1 January 2025 that are:

• sold or processed before 1 January 2027 do not need an eID tag – an NLIS visual tag will satisfy NLIS requirements for these animals
• to be kept past 1 January 2027 (e.g. ewes) can be voluntarily eID tagged before 1 January 2027.

Applying tags

Animals must only be identified with one eID tag. Once applied, the tag must remain with the animal for life. eID tags cannot be reused.

Electronic tags are species specific. It is important to order the correct tags for the species you are running (sheep or goats) – see the step-by-step guide for Ordering approved NLIS electronic devices for sheep and goats (PDF 900.7 KB).

When you receive your tags, you do not need to scan or record information on the database – the tags will already be linked to your PIC on the NLIS database by the manufacturer.

It is important that a compatible applicator is used for the eID tags being applied – see the applicators listed for NLIS approved sheep and goat electronic devices (PDF 512.4 KB).

eID tags should be applied according to the tag manufacturer’s instruction – watch the Sheep and Goat Traceability Task Force (SGTTF) videos under Applying NLIS devices – demonstration guides.

Animals that have been introduced to your property and have lost their eID tag will need to be re-tagged with a post-breeder eID device before they move off the PIC.

Farmed goats can be identified with an NLIS-accredited eID leg band or hock strap, instead of an ear tag. This is most commonly used for some dairy and earless goat breeds.

Recording movement

As of 1 January 2025, producers must scan and upload individual eID tag data to the NLIS database if they conduct P2P movements, such as:

• moving stock between multiple PICs, even if you own both properties
• moving stock onto your property for agistment
• buying stock privately (with or without an agent)
• buying stock via an online platform (such as Auctions Plus or Farm Gate).

See the NLIS requirements for how to upload eID data to the NLIS database.

Producers are not required to scan and record individual stock movements if they:

• buy or sell at a saleyard – this responsibility will lie with the saleyard operator
• buy at a public auction – this responsibility will lie with the selling agent
• consign to a processor – this responsibility will lie with the processor.

See the diagram to understand who is responsible for recording movements on the NLIS database.

Download the brochure for Moving sheep and farmed goats tagged with eID (PDF 829.6 KB).

Movement documentation

Sheep and goats moving to a South Australian property or location with a different PIC must be accompanied with a valid movement document and sheep must have a sheep health declaration. Failure to do so is an offence under the Livestock Regulations 2013 and can result in expiation notices and fines.

Find out about sheep and goat movement documentation.

Harvested rangeland goats

Harvested rangeland goats will continue to access tag-free pathways from property of capture direct to processor or approved goat depot with required movement documentation.

This tag-free movement is permitted through the national Harvested rangeland goat (HRG) accreditation (PDF).

HRG accreditation is through the LPA Program and authorised by the relevant state or territory jurisdiction. Only accredited producers will be able to access HRG NVD waybills for device-free movements of harvested rangeland goats.

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