Integrity Systems Company (ISC) is the recipient of a $3.9m (excl. GST) grant from the Australian Government to support existing software integrators transition to the uplifted National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database.
This funding will support the phased rollout of an uplifted NLIS database which will be delivered by 30 June 2026.
A significant project is underway to uplift the current NLIS database to ensure Australia has a fit-for-purpose and user-friendly livestock traceability platform which offers flexibility and scalability to track all livestock movements for decades to come.
The NLIS Database Uplift Project is supported by a $22.5 million funding grant which was announced by Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in 2023 as part of the Australian Government's 'Bolstering Australia's biosecurity system' package.
The NLIS Database Uplift Transition Support grant is being administered by ISC and is designed to help software providers with the costs of transitioning to the uplifted NLIS Application Programming Interface (API) system.
ISC Chief Executive Officer Jo Quigley said this latest funding grant will support the rollout of the uplifted NLIS database and ensure the traceability needs of Australia's livestock industry continue to be met.
"Third-party software integrators play a vital role in enabling the industry to meet NLIS requirements efficiently and effectively," Ms Quigley said.
"The NLIS Database Uplift Project will deliver a more robust and reliable traceability platform, designed to improve data accuracy, simplify processes, and support seamless compliance with livestock traceability regulations.
"With regulatory and industry third-party systems linked to the NLIS, enhancements to those systems, will be required to ensure these linkages continue when the uplifted NLIS is released.
"This grant funding will support this work to ensure these systems are in place and align with the uplifted NLIS database release, limiting service outages and maintaining continuity for regulatory functions."
ISC will administer the grant funding and distribute funds to eligible applicants.
To be eligible for funding, software integrators need to be connected to the current NLIS through the existing API. They must also be using the NLIS API for biosecurity or traceability purposes, have accessed the NLIS in the past year, and have active customers/users in the past year.
Current integrators include state and territory departments of agriculture, tag/device manufacturers, and providers of on-farm, processing, feedlot, saleyard and agent software solutions.
Grant funds available to each integrator within a specific sector will be capped. Each integrator will be required to contribute, on top of the grant allocation, at least 20% of grant funds made available to them.
Applicants will be required to provide information about their business, the service their business provides to the Australian red meat industry, technical capabilities and risk management approaches.
To receive funding, integrators must also enter into an agreement with ISC, demonstrate the change from old NLIS API to new NLIS API and sign the NLIS API System Access Agreement.
A Review Panel will be engaged to review applications and allocate funding. It is expected that agreements with Integrators and transition work will commence mid-2025.
Applications are available via the MLA Current Tenders list and more information is available on the ISC Third Party Integrators page.
