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.
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 – 30/6/25
- Pink (post breeder) tags: 1/1/24 – 30/6/26
- Yellow tags: 1/1/24 – 30/6/26
- White tags: 1/11/24 – 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. Order online or call us on 1800 243 683.
Tags purchased from 1st January 2024 – 30th April 2024 will be rebated upon application to the Tasmanian department.
Starting on 1st July 2024, Round 3 rebates on panel readers, stick readers and weigh scale indicators will begin.
Reimbursements are capped at $5,000 per PIC* A reimbursement of 75% is available on any of, or combination of, the following items:
- Handheld Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) Readers
- RFID Panel Readers (fixed or mobile)
- Panel Antennas (fixed or mobile)
- eID Readers
- eID Compatible Scale Readers
For more information about the eID equipment grants, please visit the NRE page by CLICKING HERE.
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.
A discount of of $0.76 inc GST per tag will come into effect on the 1st November 2024 for all WHITE (2025 year of birth) tags. This discount will be applied at the point of sale – so there is less paperwork for you!
If you are going to be ordering over 3500 subsidised tags, you need to gain pre-approval with the NSW DPI. Once approved, you will receive a ‘pre-approval’ certificate which must be provided when you order to be eligible for the discount.
To apply for pre-approval, fill out the online form by clicking here.
The brand of tags is Zee Tags (Datamars).
More information about the NSW Tag Discount 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.
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. Application are open and funding will be offered until exhausted, or until 30th June 2025.
Click here to apply online.
Click here to download the physical form.
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.qrida.qld.gov.au/program/queensland-sheep-and-goat-electronic-identification-rebate
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 of $0.95 + GST per tag is applied to your order (WHITE TAGS ONLY).
White TagFaster & FET tags will be reflected on Chemvet invoices at a reduced price:
Tagfaster RFID: $0.99 + GST ea
FET RFID: $0.94 + GST ea
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 |
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.
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 tags in 2024, and white tags in 2025.
Tag discount capped at $0.75 + GST per tag (WHITE TAGS ONLY).
White TagFaster & FET tags will be reflected on Chemvet invoices at a reduced price:
Tagfaster RFID: $1.19 + GST ea
FET RFID: $1.14 + 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.