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
All sheep and goats leaving property of birth will need an electronic tag as of the 1st January 2025.
Starting in 2024, $11.66 million offered in rebates for the transition – on a first come, first served basis.
A discount/rebate of $1 per eID sheep tag is applicable to tag colours as below:
- Blue tags: 1/1/24 – 30/6/24
- Black tags: 1/1/24 – 30/6/24
- Pink (post breeder) tags: 1/1/24 – 30/6/26
- Yellow tags: 1/1/24 – 30/6/26
- White tags: 1/1/25 – 30/6/26
- Orange tags: 1/1/26 – 30/6/26
Orders placed on or after 1st May 2024 will receive a point of sale discount directly on their invoices. Call us to order – 1800 243 683.
Tags purchased from 1st January 2024 – 30th April 2024 will be rebated upon application to the Tasmanian department.
Details sourced from NRE Tasmania.
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.
Rebates up to $4000 are available upon application for handheld eID readers and panel readers (open 1 Oct 2023 – 21 Mar 2024), until allocations are exhausted.
Information online at: www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/eid/producers.
Full producer guide available at: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/1488306/EID-Primary-Producer-Program-Guidelines.pdf
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.
Producers may be eligible for a 50% rebate on the purchase and installation of eID devices and readers — up to $1,600 per property identification code (PIC) based in Queensland.
To be eligible, you must:
- be a registered producer with a PIC based in Queensland
- have 30 or more sheep or managed goats
- have a current registered biosecurity entity (RBE) registration
- have not claimed assistance through any other Queensland Government eID
- make only 1 claim per Queensland PIC
- agree to be audited if requested
- claim for eligible purchases made from 1 January 2023.
Eligible items:
- eID readers (i.e. panel and handheld)
- eID devices.
Ineligible items:
- eID hardware (i.e. computers, laptops, tablets)
- infrastructure for connectivity between eID and hardware
- purchase, installation or training for software connected to sheep and goat eID infrastructure
- software subscriptions.
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.
50% eID tag discount starting 1st Jan 2024, capped at $0.95 + GST per tag (BLACK TAGS ONLY).
Black TagFaster & FET tags will be reflected on Chemvet invoices at a reduced price:
Tagfaster RFID: $0.98 + GST ea
FET RFID: $0.93 + GST ea
Just select your state when ordering tags online and the discount is automatically applied.
Applications open for eID devices purchased in 2023, close on 30 April 2024.
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.
Tag incentive program started in 2023 offering a $0.75 discount on eID year colour tags (sky blue), upon application.
This has been extended to include black (2024) tags.
Tag discount capped at $0.75 + GST per tag (BLACK TAGS ONLY).
Black TagFaster & FET tags will be reflected on Chemvet invoices at a reduced price:
Tagfaster RFID: $1.18 + GST ea
FET RFID: $1.13 + 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.