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About NAIT

The National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) programme is a mandatory system that supports biosecurity and disease management. It uses a national database to record:

  • location and movement of individual animals – including transfers between farms, sales, or movements to slaughter
  • contact details of the PICA – ensuring each animal is linked to the person who is responsible for its traceability
  • lifetime traceability of a NAIT animal – identifying the place of birth, movements during its life, and where it died.

The NAIT programme is funded by government and through levies. It is run by OSPRI.

The NAIT programme – OSPRI

NAIT requirements for cattle and deer

Whether you’re managing a full herd or a single animal, you must register with NAIT as a PICA within 48 hours of taking charge. This includes animals kept on a lifestyle block, zoo, or wildlife park.

You don't have to be the owner of the stock you manage – for example, you might be a farm manager, grazier, or contract milker. If you're the person most involved in daily decisions around the NAIT requirements of the animals, then you're the PICA.

As a registered PICA you’re responsible for: 

  • ensuring each NAIT animal has a NAIT RFID tag fitted
  • registering the tag to an animal in the NAIT system at your location
  • declaring all movements of animals to and from your location
  • declaring any deaths or losses 
  • keeping your contact information up to date.

Who to contact

If you have questions about NAIT requirements:

MPI business units