As Australian sheep and goat producers make the switch over to tagging with electronic tags over the next 1-3 years, we’ll endeavour to keep this page up to date with all things to do with the transition. Including key dates, tag rebates, infrastructure rebates, etc.
VICTORIA
Victoria has had mandatory eID tagging of sheep and goats since 1st January 2017.
Levies paid at abattoirs subsidise the electronic tags purchased through Agriculture Victoria.
Buy subsidised tags online through Agriculture Victoria at tags.agriculture.vic.gov.au.
To order over the phone, call 1800 678 779.
TASMANIA
1st January 2025 – Sheep or goats born on or after this date must be fitted with electronic tag.
1st January 2027 – ALL SHEEP and goats (regardless of DOB) need electronic tags.
Starting in 2024, $11.66 million offered in rebates for the transition – on a first come, first served basis. These rebates finished on 18th March 2026 as all funding had been allocated.
NEW SOUTH WALES
1st January 2025 – Sheep or goats born on or after this date must be fitted with electronic tag.
1st January 2027 – ALL SHEEP and goats (regardless of DOB) need electronic tags.
Producers and agents can get 50% of the cost back, up to $1500 ex GST, when you buy a handheld eID reader – such as the Tru-Test SRS2 or Tru-Test XRS2 Stick Readers.
Applications for the rebate open on the 2nd March 2026 and close on 31st August 2026, or earlier if funding is exhausted.
Eligible equipment must be purchased before you apply, and proof/receipt of purchase must be provided with your application.
More information about the Stick Reader Rebate program can be found here.
QUEENSLAND
Queensland will transition to eID for sheep and managed goats in 2 stages:
- Sheep and managed goats born on or after 1 January 2025 will be identified with an NLIS-accredited eID device before leaving their property of birth.
- All other sheep and managed goats leaving a property will need to be identified with an NLIS-accredited eID device from 1 January 2027.
2026 QLD Tag Rebates
Receive $0.75 + GST discount at the point of sale on all eligible electronic sheep and goat tags, including all colours. This will run until June 2027, or until funding is exhausted.
Tagfaster RFID: $1.33+ GST ea
FET RFID: $1.27 + GST ea
NLIS equipment and reader rebate
The NLIS reader and equipment rebate is available to producers, processors, saleyards, agricultural show sub-chambers and livestock agents who have not previously applied.
It provides:
- 50% rebate up to $1,600 per PIC for eligible Queensland sheep and goat producers
- 50% rebate up to $2,500 for small saleyards or $65,000 for large saleyards in Queensland
- 50% rebate up to $2,500 for small processors, $10,000 for medium processors or $85,000 for large processors in Queensland
- 50% rebate up to $1,600 for Queensland livestock agents and agricultural show sub-chambers.
How to apply for a rebate
Read the following guidelines for information about rebate eligibility and how to apply:
Rebate application forms
- Form for processors and saleyards.
- Form for producers and livestock agents.
- Form for agricultural shows.
Key dates for rebates
- Applications opened: 30 March 2026
- Applications close: 30 September 2026 or earlier if all funds are exhausted
- Assessment process: Eligibility-based
- Outcomes of applications: Within 30 business days
- Claims for eligible costs: Eligible items can be purchased from 1 January 2023
Details sourced from QLD Gov – https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/animal/nlis/sheep-goat-identification/rebates
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
1st January 2025 – Sheep or goats born on or after this date must be fitted with electronic tag.
1st January 2027 – ALL SHEEP and goats (regardless of DOB) need electronic tags.
Current rebates for SA include a $0.47 discount on orange electronic tags.
Orange TagFaster & FET tags will be reflected on Chemvet invoices at a reduced price:
Tagfaster RFID: $1.61 + GST ea
FET RFID: $1.55 + GST ea
From 1 July 2025, sheep and goat producers will be able to purchase National Livestock Identification System-approved EID tags receiving a 47.5 cents discount at the point of sale for the respective year of birth colour – white (2025), orange (2026) or light green (2027).
In addition to the point-of-sale tag discount, eligible SA producers will be able to apply for EID device rebates for NLIS-accredited tags that fall outside of the year of birth colour scheme.
Just select your state when ordering tags online and the discount is automatically applied.
Applications are open for rebates on eID devices purchased, closing on the 30th June 2025. Rebates for eligible purchases include the following tag colours:
| Year of Purchase | Year of Birth Colours |
| 2023 | Black, white, orange, light green, purple, yellow, red |
| 2024 | White, orange, light green, purple, yellow, red, sky blue |
| 2025 (until 30 June) | Black, orange, light green, purple, yellow, red, sky blue |
| 2025 (July 1-Dec 31) |
White |
| 2026 | Orange |
| 2027 | Light Green |
Rebate upon application excludes:
- pink post-breeder tags
- colours outside of the YOB colour system (e.g. brown and grey)
- non-NLIS accredited devices
- tags that align to the current YOB colour (black in 2024, white in 2025), this is because discounts are applied at point of sale rather than upon application.
Applicants are required to complete an online form to submit their rebate application at: https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/eid-rebate
Only one application form per PIC will be accepted. All claims must be supported by full evidence of payment (official tax invoices and official receipts).
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
1st January 2025 – Sheep or goats born on or after this date must be fitted with electronic tag either before they leave the property or before they reach 6 months of age, whichever comes first.
1st January 2026 – ALL SHEEP and goats (regardless of DOB) need electronic tags.
The TIP scheme, which commenced as a pilot in March 2023, provided for a $0.75 reduction in the cost of sky blue eIDs initially, in 2023 and black eIDs in 2024.
It will be expanded from 1 January 2026 to include a $0.60 discount on NLIS-accredited orange year-of-birth tags as well as yellow and pink eIDs.
Orange TagFaster & FET tags will be reflected on Chemvet invoices at a reduced price:
Tagfaster RFID: $1.48 + GST ea
FET RFID: $1.42 + GST ea
Just select your state when ordering tags online and the discount is automatically applied.
Information sourced from DPIRD WA – https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/livestock-movement-identification/electronic-identification-sheep-and-goats
Other FAQ’s – click here
NORTHERN TERRITORY
1st January 2025 – All sheep and goats leaving property of birth.
TBD – Northern Territory Livestock Act and Regulations are currently under review of the implementation, including rebates.