Property Identification Codes FAQs
Local Land Services receives many questions from landholders about property identification codes (PIC).
PICs are unique eight-digit codes assigned to properties with livestock and placed into a district register by Local Land Services. These codes help to trace livestock on properties and help control disease and chemical residue outbreaks.
Are you unsure about PICs? Contact us, or view our frequently asked questions below.
Q: Why do I need a PIC?
All properties that run any type of livestock must have a PIC. This is a lawful requirement regardless of whether the livestock is being moved.
PICs provide traceability to specific properties, which is important in the event of disease control or residue problems.
Q: When do I need to have a PIC?
If you are a livestock owner, you are required by law to have a PIC. All livestock business, such as sale yards, abattoirs and showgrounds must also have a PIC. Horse owners running horses on their own property and owners of properties where horses are agisted will also need a PIC.
Q: Are there penalties for non-compliance?
Any person using a service provided by the NSW Department of Primary Industries or Local Land Services, which relates to a property on which a PIC is required, must provide the PIC of that property on request.
Please note that compliance of the expanded PIC requirements should be achieved through advisory and market-based activities led by livestock industries. Regulatory action may occur in high-risk situations or for significant breaches when other methods have failed and will result in fines.
Q: What numbers make up a PIC?
A PIC contains the following information:
- The first letter is N for New South Wales.
- The second letter is a check-digit to confirm the PIC is valid.
- The next two numbers are for the district.
- The final four numbers are the allocated number of your property.
This code also enables the property occupiers to purchase identification devices, identify the property for movement recording and enrol in industry quality assurance programs.
Q: How do PICs help NSW manage biosecurity and animal health threats?
Movements of cattle, sheep and goats between properties with different PICs are recorded on the NLIS database, so movements of this livestock on and off different properties, sale yards and abattoirs can be traced.
PICs are printed on approved NLIS tags and are also recorded on stock movement documents such as National Vendor Declarations and Transported Stock Statements.
Q: How much does a PIC cost and how do I pay for it?
For those who don't pay Local Land Services rates, the PIC registration fee is $22 (inc GST). Renewal is $22 per year.
For ratepayers, the fee is $11 (inc GST), with no renewal fees.
Once your application is processed, an invoice will be sent to you for payment by BPay, Eftpos or cash (at selected offices only).
Q: How long will it take to get my PIC?
Once your payment has been received, you will be notified of your PIC number by post or by email, usually within seven working days.
Please note that processing may take longer during periods when large numbers of applications are being lodged.
Q: Who takes responsibility for the PIC when the animal is agisted elsewhere?
The occupier of a property on which any livestock are held and/or the person in charge of those stock must ensure that the property has a PIC.
If you plan to move stock to any land, you should be prepared to have a PIC for that land so you can meet your NLIS and other obligations.
Further information
If you require further information on PICs, please contact us. Otherwise, you can visit the Department of Primary Industries, call the NLIS Hotline on 1800 654 743, or visit their database.