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Frequently Asked Questions

A PIC is an eight-character code used to identify the location of a property. It is attached to a property, rather than a person.

PIC registrations include what species of identifiable livestock are on the property and the contact details for the person responsible for the livestock.

The Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 (the Regulations) define ?identifiable livestock? as sheep, goats, cattle and pigs. The Regulations require that any premises holding one or more of these animals must have a PIC.

These premises include livestock farms (commercial and smallholders/hobby farms), saleyards, processors and event locations.

The fees? values are set by the Tasmanian Fee Units Act 1997. All fees are a fixed fee and subject to legislated annual increases for inflation.

  • Application for assignment of PIC to premises: $78.40
  • Renewal or amendment of PIC assigned to premises: $39.20

PIC fees apply for identifiable livestock - cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

PICs for other primary produce and purposes will remain free of charge.

The new PIC fees will apply from 1 July 2026. Until this date, applications and amendments to PICs will remain free of charge.

The term of a PIC is three years and renewal notices will be sent on a three year cycle.

This means the cost of maintaining a PIC will be equivalent to around $13 a year (subject to consumer price index (cpi)).

We will stagger renewals for existing PICs over the first three years, starting with older PICs. We will notify PIC holders when a PIC is due for renewal.

Yes, fees are charged for each PIC.

PICs are attached to a property, not a person. If cattle, sheep, goats or pigs are kept at a property, that property must have a PIC.

This means that a person, company or organisation may be required to have more than one PIC if they are responsible for cattle, sheep, goats or pigs kept or managed at more than one location.

Renewals help to maintain a current and accurate Tasmanian PIC Register. This helps BT to respond in a quick and effective way if there is an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak. It also means we can contact you if there is an EAD outbreak so you can take steps to protect yourself and your animals.

Failure to renew a PIC will result in the cancellation of your ownership of the PIC. This may affect Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) accreditation and your ability to order National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) identification tags.

It?s also a legal requirement for keeping sheep, goats, cattle and pigs. Biosecurity Tasmania has authorised officers who check that the rules are being followed. They can provide education or enforcement, including fines, when people aren?t doing the right thing. This helps to protect our agricultural industries and communities.

The Regulations include fees for PICs, consistent with other states and territories. These fees will help us to protect the things we value through continuing to adapt our world-class biosecurity and traceability systems.

A grace period was in place to support industry since the Regulations commenced in 2024. PICs issued or amended during this time have been free of charge.

The grace period will end on 30 June 2026.

The PIC system is the foundation of effective livestock traceability across Australia. Livestock traceability also relies on the correct use of eID and other identification, as well as accurate recording of livestock movements between properties and through the supply chain. More information on livestock traceability is available here: nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/livestock-traceability-requirements.

Good traceability is critical for protecting Tasmanian livestock, the agricultural industry and communities if there is a disease outbreak, chemical residue or food safety issue.

Animal disease outbreaks can have massive financial and social impacts for commercial farmers and communities. For example, an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Australia could have an $80 billion impact to the Australian economy over 10 years.

We all value having vibrant, productive and healthy industries and communities. Protecting the things we value sometimes means changes are needed to keep pace with the challenges. That's why we'll be investing the revenue from the new fees back into biosecurity programs to benefit our state.

  • If you keep one or more sheep, goats, cattle or pigs in Tasmania you must have a Property Identification Code (PIC).
  • PIC applications and amendments are free until 1 July 2026.
  • From 1 July 2026, a PIC application for properties holding sheep, goats, cattle or pigs will cost $78.40 and an amendment or renewal will cost $39.20.
  • All livestock (i.e. sheep, goats, cattle, pigs) owners and operators have a responsibility to protect our agricultural industry.

If you have any questions about the new fees, please contact the Primary Produce Traceability Program:

Phone: 1300 368 550

Email: nlis.tas@nre.tas.gov.au

More information on livestock traceability and PICs is available on the Biosecurity Tasmania Property Identification Code (PIC) webpage.

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