Financial assistance for sheep and goat electronic identification (eID)

Mandatory individual electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats starts in Queensland from 1 January 2025, as part of an agreed national initiative.

We are providing financial assistance to support mandatory eID of sheep and managed goats through the Queensland Sheep and Goat Electronic Identification Rebate Scheme (the scheme).

About the scheme

The scheme gives primary producers and livestock agents a rebate to offset up to half the cost of purchasing eligible items such as NLIS-accredited eID devices and readers.

Key dates

  • Applications open: 29 July 2024.
  • Applications close: 30 June 2025 (or earlier if all funds are allocated).
  • Application outcome: you will be notified within 30 business days after submitting a complete application.

Who can apply

Producers may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of costs to purchase eligible items.

The maximum amount of assistance payable to an applicant is $1,600 per property identification code (PIC) in Queensland.

Eligibility requirements

You must:

  • have a current biosecurity entity registration
  • have a property identification code (PIC) in Queensland
  • have 30 or more sheep and/or managed goats
  • only receive a rebate from the scheme once per Queensland PIC
  • have purchased approved NLIS-accredited eID devices or a reader (or a combination of both) on or after 1 January 2023
  • agree to be audited if requested.

Eligible items

  • eID readers (panel or handheld)
  • NLIS-accredited 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

How to apply

Livestock agents may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of costs to purchase eligible items.

The maximum amount of assistance payable to an applicant is $1,600.

Eligibility requirements

You must:

  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • have an NLIS account (as an agent) who has, within the 12 months immediately before making an application under the scheme, recorded the movement of sheep or goats off a designated place that has a PIC
  • run a business as a livestock agent in Queensland
  • have a principal place of business located in Queensland
  • have purchased an electronic reader on or after 1 January 2023
  • only receive a rebate from the scheme once per business address in Queensland
  • agree to be audited if requested.

Eligible items

  • eID readers (panel or handheld)

Ineligible items

  • eID devices
  • 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

How to apply

Saleyard operators may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of costs to purchase eligible items.

The maximum amount of assistance payable to an applicant depends on the number of sheep and/or goats presented to the saleyard:

  • small saleyards (1–500 sheep and/or goats/week): $2,500 per Queensland property identification code (PIC)
  • large saleyards (501 or more sheep and/or goats/week): $65,000 per Queensland PIC.

Eligibility requirements

You must:

  • have a current biosecurity entity registration associated with the saleyard
  • have a Queensland PIC allocated to the saleyard
  • have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • have uploaded a minimum of 4 mob-based movement files to the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database since 1 December 2022
  • only receive a rebate from the scheme once per Queensland PIC
  • agree to be audited if requested.

Eligible items

  • eID readers (panel or handheld)
  • Hardware (e.g. iPad, tablet)

Ineligible items

  • Weigh crates/scales
  • Roofing and electrical works
  • Wages for
    • employees, contractors or yourself
    • labour costs
  • Infrastructure for connectivity between eID and hardware
  • Purchase, installation or training for staff using software and equipment
  • Software subscriptions

How to apply

  1. Read the saleyard scheme guidelines.
  2. Complete the application form.
  3. Submit the completed form by either:
    • email to LTU@daf.qld.gov.au
    • post to
      Licensing and Transaction Unit
      Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
      GPO Box 46
      BRISBANE  QLD  4001

Processors may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of costs to purchase eligible items.

The maximum amount of assistance payable to an applicant depends on the number of sheep and/or goats processed:

  • small processors (1–100 sheep and/or goats/week): $2,500 per Queensland property identification code (PIC)
  • medium processors (101–2,000 sheep and/or goats/week): $10,000 per Queensland PIC
  • large processors (more than 2,000 sheep and/or goats/week): $85,000 per Queensland PIC.

Eligibility requirements

You must:

  • have a current biosecurity entity registration associated with the processing facility
  • have a Queensland PIC allocated to the processing facility
  • have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • have a current Safe Food Queensland registration
  • have uploaded a minimum of 4 mob-based movement files to the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database since 1 December 2022
  • only receive a rebate from the scheme once per Queensland PIC
  • agree to be audited if requested.

Eligible items

  • eID readers (panel or handheld)
  • Software and connectivity between eID hardware
  • Hardware (e.g. iPad, tablet)

Ineligible items

  • Weigh crates/scales
  • Roofing and electrical works
  • Wages for
    • employees, contractors or yourself
    • labour costs
  • Infrastructure for connectivity between eID and hardware
  • Purchase, installation or training for staff using software and equipment
  • Software subscriptions

How to apply

  1. Read the processor scheme guidelines.
  2. Complete the application form.
  3. Submit the completed form by either:
    • email to LTU@daf.qld.gov.au
    • post to
      Licensing and Transaction Unit
      Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
      GPO Box 46
      BRISBANE  QLD  4001

Agricultural show sub-chambers in Queensland may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of costs to purchase eligible items.

The maximum amount of assistance payable to an applicant is $1,600 per Queensland property identification code (PIC).

Eligibility requirements

You must:

  • have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • have a statutory declaration with approval from the General Manager of Queensland Ag Shows to apply for the scheme
  • have your principal place of business in Queensland
  • only receive a rebate from the scheme once per business address in Queensland
  • agree to be audited if requested.

Eligible items

  • eID readers (panel or handheld)

Ineligible items

  • eID devices
  • eID hardware
  • Infrastructure for connectivity between eID and hardware
  • Purchase, installation or training for staff using software and equipment
  • Software subscriptions

How to apply

  1. Read the agricultural show sub-chambers scheme guidelines.
  2. Complete the application form.
  3. Submit the completed form by either:
    • email to LTU@daf.qld.gov.au
    • post to
      Licensing and Transaction Unit
      Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
      GPO Box 46
      BRISBANE  QLD  4001

How to apply

Producers and livestock agents:

  1. Read the producer and livestock agent scheme guidelines (PDF, 175KB)
  2. Apply online at QRIDA (you will need a Digital ID or QRIDA account)

Processors, saleyards and agricultural show sub chambers:

  1. Read the scheme guidelines for:
  2. Complete the application form.
  3. Submit the completed form by either:
    • email to LTU@daf.qld.gov.au
    • post to
      Licensing and Transaction Unit
      Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
      GPO Box 46
      Brisbane  QLD  4001

You will be notified about your application outcome within 30 business days after submitting a complete application.

  • Last reviewed: 8 Aug 2024
  • Last updated: 12 Nov 2024