Farmers in the Hunter will soon be able to claim rebates for electronic identification (eID) equipment under a new $2 million program announced by the NSW Government.
The scheme offers a 50 per cent rebate, up to $1,500, on handheld eID readers, with applications opening in early March. It’s part of a broader $1 billion biosecurity investment aimed at protecting the state’s agricultural sector.
The rebate targets producers and livestock agents who missed out on the initial infrastructure scheme in 2023. The technology is designed to improve traceability for property-to-property movements and help farmers make better decisions through accurate animal data.
NSW has committed $41 million to implement mandatory eID for sheep and goats, the largest investment of any state or territory. Since November 2024, more than 15.2 million eID tags have been purchased, with around 22 per cent of sheep and goats processed through saleyards in 2025 already fitted with eID.
Local producers in Muswellbrook, Scone, Singleton and surrounds are being encouraged to apply, as the rollout is expected to strengthen productivity and biosecurity across the region.
