Program objective

To provide funding to eligible saleyards for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of eligible items as part of the implementation of mandatory individual electronic identification (eID) tagging for sheep and farmed goats within NSW.

This program is administered by Rural Assistance Authority.

Eligibility

Eligible saleyards can apply for a rebate of 100% of the cost of eID items for sheep and farmed goats, as listed in the program guidelines.

The maximum rebate that can be claimed per category of eligible saleyard applicant for works undertaken and purchases from 15 December 2022 is:

• small saleyards – $48,000
• medium saleyards – $146,000
• large saleyards – $525,000
• extra large saleyards – $790,000.

Who can apply

To be eligible for this rebate, the following conditions must be met:

• you are the owner of an eligible saleyard listed in Schedule 1 in the sheep or farmed goat sector
• your business operates as a sole trader, partnership, trust, private company or council-owned saleyard as per the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)
• you have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• you agree that you will not pass on any NLIS scanning service fees to clients using equipment or software purchased as part of this rebate scheme
• you agree to attend mandatory training and complete an annual assessment up to 1 January 2027 for all staff required to support traceability within your business
• agree to return a survey or complete a face-to-face interview specific to the implementation of eID infrastructure annually up to 1 January 2027
• you agree to a visit by a NSW Department of Primary Industries officer before 1 January 2025, who will complete a full audit to assess any capability gaps and to educate you with any assisted compliance actions required to support traceability
• you have completed and returned the Sheep & Goat Electronic Identification – Planning and Design Report Form.

What you can apply for

• eID readers (for example, panel and handheld readers)
• auto drafter and indicators
• purchase, installation, and training for software connected to sheep and goat eID infrastructure (including software subscriptions up until 1 January 2027 – note that applicants will be expected to pay for software subscriptions after this date)
• structural modifications (for example, pens and races)
• connectivity between eID hardware
• eID hardware (for example, computers, laptops, tablets)
• project planning and design consultants.

What you can't apply for

• weigh crates/scales
• saleyard roofing
• wages for your employees or your self-assessed labour costs.