Biosecurity & Animal Health Hub

Where's Woolly? - a story of mob-based movement vs eID tracing (Vimeo)

As NSW transitions to electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats from 1 January 2027, agricultural shows will play an important role in recording livestock movements and supporting a stronger national biosecurity system.

This video follows Bungendore and Guyra agricultural shows as they record individual sheep eID devices for the first time, providing a practical look at what the new requirements will mean for Show Societies and exhibitors.

Regional Shows | Sheep and Goat Electronic Identification

Downloadable Checklists

• Producer Checklist (PDF) - for exhibitors preparing livestock for your Show
• Steward Checklist (PDF) - for livestock stewards and section heads
• Show Committee Member Checklist (PDF) - for oversight across all species and sections

Forms and Templates

• Sighted Livestock Record Sheet (PDF) - for short-stay shows (less than 3 days)
• Biosecurity Plan Template – to include in your Show’s risk framework
• Emergency Animal Disease Action Plan (EADAP)– step-by-step response plan
• Animal Incident Report Form– to record animal illness, injury or death

NLIS and Procedures

• How to use an NLIS Scanner – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
• NLIS Tag Reader: How to User guide
• Scanning RFID & NVD Information Sheet
• Health Declaration Forms (all species)

1. Property Identification Code (PIC)

Every showground must have a valid and active PIC issued by Local Land Services (LLS).

• Required for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
• Essential for livestock traceability and disease management.

👉Apply for or confirm your PIC

2. NLIS Sporting Event Account

To meet your NLIS requirements and enable livestock movements to be uploaded into the NLIS database, you must register for a SPORTEVENT account.

👉Set up your NLIS Sporting Event Account

• Use an NLIS Sporting Event Account to record entries and departures
• Ensure the account is set up before accepting livestock entries

DO NOT APPLY for a ASSOC FILE account. The SPORTEVENT account is the only one that has the special dispensation for shows that allows them to apply without pic manager approval.

The process is streamlined to help show society members obtain authorisation for these accounts more easily.

Applicants can be approved using one of the following methods:

• By providing a valid show society email address, or
• By having the show secretary send an email confirming their membership in the show society.

 

Need more help? Contact the NLIS Helpdesk from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (AEST). The NLIS Helpdesk can be contacted by phone on 1800 654 743 (Option 1), or via email at support@nlis.com.au

or DPIRD livestock.traceability@dpird.nsw.gov.au

3. Roles, Awareness & Responsibilities

Show organisers, secretaries and stewards should:

• Understand their NLIS and biosecurity responsibilities
• Maintain accurate livestock movement records
• Ensure movements are uploaded within 48 hours of livestock arrival movement

Consider including this in your steward briefings and volunteer induction.

4. Recording Movements

For most events:

• Record individual movements through your NLIS Sporting Event Account

For short-stay events (stock on the grounds for less than 3 days):

• Use the Sighted Livestock Record Sheet to record movements where appropriate. You need to be able to be able to relate the animals RFID numbers to their NSW/eNVD number - scanning RFID and NVD information sheet
• Keep copies with your Show’s other livestock records for audit and traceability purposes

New: 20-Minute eLearning for Agricultural Shows

Agricultural Shows & Events – Livestock Traceability & Biosecurity Module

• Free, online, and designed specifically for shows and events
• Takes around 20 minutes to complete
• Covers NLIS, biosecurity, record-keeping and responsibilities at Shows

👉 Access the eLearning module

Encourage Show Secretaries, section stewards and key volunteers to complete this module before show day.

• From 1 January 2025
  • Electronic ID (eID) required for sheep and goats born after this date
  • Short-stay shows (less than 3 days) may use “Sighted Livestock” arrangements for eID recording where permitted
• Transition period – up to 1 January 2027
  • Mob-based movements for livestock that do not yet have individual NLIS approved devices will continue to be accepted during this period
  • Producers must use the approved mob-based movement forms to record and report stock movements
• From 1 January 2027
  • All livestock (excluding pigs) must be individually identified with NLIS approved devices and recorded to the PIC of the showground or venue

Mob-based movement forms
Use the DPI-approved forms for livestock without individual NLIS tags (during the transition period):

• NLIS form – Cattle movements to and from show
• NLIS form – Sheep, Goats & Pigs – mob-based movements to and from show

To support accurate and timely NLIS recording:

• NLIS scanners / wands 
• Manual recording – use the Sighted Livestock Record Sheet for short-stay events
• Clear instructions for producers – send checklists and forms with entry information, schedules and show programs

Show Support Folder (NLIS & Biosecurity)

This folder contains practical guidance and reference material to support agricultural shows in managing livestock movements, biosecurity, and traceability requirements.

It brings together checklists, forms, and step-by-step guidance to help show societies, stewards, committee members, and producers meet their obligations under the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), including documentation, record-keeping, and database updates, to ensure livestock integrity and biosecurity compliance before, during, and after events.

• Show Support Folder - NLIS & Biosecurity
• NLIS at Shows - Overview Presentation - overview of NLIS requirements, livestock movements and how the folder is used at shows

Health Declarations – Species Requirements

Make sure exhibitors supply the right declaration for each species:

• Cattle
  • National Cattle Health Declaration
  • Include Pestivirus (PI-negative) certification, where required
• Sheep
  • National Sheep Health Declaration
  • Include OJD and footrot status
• Goats
  • National Goat Health Declaration
  • Align with current GoatMAP modules and disease status
• Horses
  • AgShows NSW Horse Health Declaration (Aug 2023)
  • Must include PIC; encourage disclosure of Hendra vaccination status in line with your Show’s policy
• Alpacas & Llamas
  • Herd Health Declaration – covering key diseases and vaccination as appropriate
• Dogs
  • Proof of current vaccinations (e.g. parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough)
  • Microchipping is required if dogs are being rehomed or sold at the Show

Check all declarations on arrival and retain them with your Show records.

Need Help?

If you are unsure about your obligations or encounter a livestock health or traceability issue:

• NSW DPI Livestock Traceability – livestock.traceability@dpird.nsw.gov.au
• AgShows NSW – hello@agshowsnsw.org.au
• Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline – 1800 675 888

If there is unusual illness, sudden death or serious concern about an animal:

1. Isolate the affected animal and any close companions
2. Notify the Chief Steward and Show Veterinarian (if appointed)
3. Contact:
   • District Veterinarian – Local Land Services office
   • EAD Hotline: 1800 675 888
4. Record details using your Animal Incident Report Form

Every Show should have a simple, written Biosecurity Plan as part of its overall risk management framework.

Your plan should:

• Appoint a Biosecurity Officer or responsible person
• Map animal housing, movement, entry/exit and isolation areas
• Include cleaning and disinfection expectations for equipment, pens, yards and shared facilities
• Define communication channels (stewards, exhibitors, PA announcements, social media) in the event of a biosecurity issue
• Be communicated to section stewards prior to show day

👉Biosecurity Plan Template

Each section should apply best practice for animal handling, welfare and disease prevention.

Cattle

• Require NVD and National Cattle Health Declaration (PI-negative)
• Provide separate unloading and isolation areas
• Clean and disinfect shared equipment and crushes between uses

Horses

• Require a current Horse Health Declaration (including PIC)
• Maintain hygiene of tack, feed and water
• Separate vaccinated and unvaccinated horses if relevant to your policy

Sheep & Goats

• Require NVD and relevant Health Declarations
• Manage risk for OJD, CAE and Brucellosis
• Encourage vaccination and sensible separation of herd/flock groups

Poultry & Caged Birds

• Record bird origin, including PIC where numbers exceed thresholds (e.g. >100 birds)
• Clean cages and equipment before and after the event
• Keep species separate to reduce Avian Influenza and other disease risks

Dogs

• Keep up-to-date exhibitor and vaccination records
• Provide an isolation area for any sick or suspect dogs
• Ensure dogs are microchipped before sale or rehoming on Showgrounds

Make it easy for exhibitors and the public to do the right thing. Display clear signage in all livestock areas, wash bays, handwashing stations and food areas.

Recommended printables (A3/A2):

• Hand Sanitiser – Landscape A3
• Handwashing – Portrait A3
• Handwashing – Portrait A2
• Handwashing – Landscape A3
• Handwashing – Landscape A2

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a contagious viral infection affecting poultry and wild birds. There are different subtypes of the virus. H5 bird flu is a type of avian influenza, with current government resources focusing on highly pathogenic H5N1, which can cause severe disease in birds and affect some mammals.

Bird flu can spread through:

• Contact with infected birds.
• Faeces and respiratory secretions.
• Contaminated cages, equipment, clothing and footwear.

Good biosecurity, early recognition of illness and prompt reporting help protect exhibited birds, home flocks, volunteers and visitors.

Planning poultry and bird exhibitions

Before accepting entries, Show Societies should review the NSW DPIRD H5 Bird Flu – Guidance for Agricultural Shows and Bird Events, including its minimum biosecurity measures and decision framework.

Check current government advice and any applicable emergency zones, movement restrictions or control orders during planning and again immediately before the Show.

The decision to proceed with a poultry or bird exhibition must take account of current government requirements, local risks and the Show’s ability to implement the measures outlined in the DPIRD guidance. Where these measures cannot be implemented, the bird component should not proceed. This does not necessarily prevent the broader agricultural Show from proceeding.

For clarification, contact NSW DPIRD early in planning and before accepting bird entries: animal.biosecurity@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

Key biosecurity measures

The DPIRD guidance includes the following measures. Show Societies should read the full document when preparing their arrangements:

• Limit the poultry or bird event to a maximum of two days.
• Use a pavilion or shed that prevents access by wild birds.
• Do not include birds in petting zoos or other exhibits involving high levels of public contact.
• Maintain an exhibitor register recording contact details, bird species and numbers, premises of origin and destinations. Record buyer details where birds are sold.
• Apply the guidance’s eligibility conditions concerning emergency zones, contact with commercial poultry and flock health during the specified 28-day periods.
• House birds individually, or together only where they come from the same source flock, with impervious barriers between immediately adjacent cages.
• Separate waterfowl, including ducks and geese, from other bird species.
• Provide mains chlorinated drinking water.
• Limit direct handling to people required to care for birds and approved Show officials.
• Remove litter and faeces promptly, and clean and disinfect cages, equipment and affected surfaces at the conclusion of the event.
• Advise exhibitors to isolate returning birds from other susceptible animals for 14 days and monitor for illness or unusual deaths.
• Advise exhibitors of the guidance that premises containing birds that attended a gathering should not trade poultry produce, including selling or gifting eggs, for 28 days afterwards.

Each Show should have a documented biosecurity plan, nominated responsible people, suitable isolation arrangements and a clear process for responding to suspected disease.

Sick birds or unexpected deaths

Report unusual illness or deaths immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888.

If an exhibited bird becomes sick or dies:

• Stop handling and activities in the affected area.
• Keep the public and other animals away.
• Notify the Poultry Chief Steward or nominated Biosecurity Officer.
• Secure the affected area and follow the Show’s biosecurity plan.
• Contact the Hotline and follow DPIRD advice on isolation, handling, protective equipment, movement and disposal.

Do not simply send a suspect bird home or allow potentially contaminated birds, equipment or materials to leave without advice.

If sick or dead wild birds are found near the Show, do not touch, handle or move them. Record the location, species and number of birds where possible, and report the finding to the Hotline.

Resources for Show Societies

Guidance and AgShows NSW templates

• NSW DPIRD – H5 Bird Flu: Guidance for Agricultural Shows and Bird Events 

Minimum biosecurity measures and a decision framework to help determine whether poultry and bird activities can proceed.

• AgShows NSW Poultry Biosecurity Plan Template 2026

A practical template for Shows to customise, covering planning, entry conditions, site preparation, hygiene, tracing records and suspected disease response. Read it alongside the DPIRD guidance and current government advice.

• NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - H5 bird flu - 14 September 2026
• AgShows NSW Poultry Health Declaration Template
• Biosecurity Manual 
• Club Logbook 
• Outbreak Postcard 

Government information and resources

• NSW Government – Latest H5 bird flu advice
• NSW DPIRD – H5 bird flu factsheets, posters and biosecurity signage
• Australian Government – H5 bird flu information and resources
• NSW DPIRD – H5 bird flu presentation for Agricultural Shows, 14 September 2026
• Video – What Is Bird Flu?

The short video provides a good overview of avian influenza, which may be useful to share with committees through newsletters or social media. The video may also be shared with committees, volunteers and exhibitors.

Government posters and signage can be displayed in poultry pavilions, at entry points and in other areas where birds are exhibited.

• Bird Flu Information Poster (Schools & Veterinary Clinics)
• H5 Bird Flu Information Poster (Produce Stores & Veterinary Clinics)

Keeping informed

The bird flu situation and government advice can change. Always check current requirements before proceeding with poultry or bird activities. Government directions and control orders take priority over general guidance and templates.

AgShows NSW will continue to monitor advice from NSW DPIRD and the Australian Government and notify Member Organisations of relevant changes to biosecurity requirements or recommendations.

👉 Read more

• Cattle tick – biosecurity and movement requirements

A notifiable pest causing serious animal health and welfare impacts

The NSW Government has released a revised NSW Cattle Tick Strategic Plan to reduce infestations, prevent spread and support the long-term goal of eradication in NSW.

The plan is accompanied by the Minister’s media release, Minns Government releases strategy to tackle cattle tick, dated 2 October 2026.

The Plan introduces a risk-based geographic approach, with surveillance and treatment targeted according to risk, and greater      emphasis on producer responsibility supported by government assistance.

The revised Program takes effect on 1 October 2027. Until then, DPIRD will focus on awareness, education, surveillance, tracing and stakeholder engagement. Shows and exhibitors should continue to comply with current movement requirements.

Show actions:

• Check current movement, treatment and certification requirements before admitting livestock from tick-affected areas, including Queensland and restricted properties in NSW.

• Ensure exhibitors understand and comply with DPIRD requirements before transporting animals to the Show.

• Include cattle tick awareness in Show biosecurity planning and exhibitor information. Horses and other livestock can also carry cattle tick.

• Review the Queensland Cattle Tick Practical Guidance for Agricultural Shows alongside current DPIRD advice.

• If cattle tick is suspected at the Show, contact DPIRD immediately and seek advice before moving affected animals.

Reporting suspected cattle tick or tick fever

Cattle tick and tick fever remain notifiable in NSW. Suspicions must be reported to an authorised NSW DPIRD or Local Land Services officer within one day.

• Cattle tick: Biosecurity Hotline 1800 680 244 or quarantine@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

• Tick fever: Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888.

👉View the Strategic Plan and current NSW DPIRD cattle tick information.

• Serious zoonotic disease affecting horses and humans

Show actions:

• All competitors must complete a horse health biosecurity declaration for every horse entering the gournds.
• Encourage Hendra vaccination in line with your Show policy
• Admit only healthy horses to the grounds
• Manage feed and water to reduce contamination risk

Pestivirus (BVDV) can significantly impact cattle health and productivity, including:

• Reduced fertility
• Poor calf survival
• Lower overall herd performance

Required Show actions: to minimise the risk of Pestivirus transmission at cattle competitions, Shows should:

• Require PI-negative certification via completed cattle health declarations
• Maintain physical separation (e.g. minimum 10 metres) between tested and untested cattle
• Ensure shared equipment is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between animals

To protect stud breeders and uphold the integrity of country shows, Show Societies are strongly encouraged to follow the Pestivirus (BVDV) Guidelines for Show Cattle.

Schedule Wording

Suggested schedule wording relating to Pestivirus (BVDV) is available for inclusion in cattle schedules.

• Serious invasive pest with human and animal safety impacts

Show actions:

• Stay informed about movement restrictions and control zones
• Check soil, hay and other risk materials if travelling from affected areas

👉Current information

Quick access to key external guidance and background:

• Biosecurity Act 2015 – Overview
• Farm Biosecurity Toolkit – Declarations & Statements
• Procedure-NLIS-livestock-movements-for-NSW-shows-and-sporting-events.pdf