About the Consultation 

Australian governments have long used Property Identification Codes (PICs) to support livestock and plant sector traceability. However, inconsistency across jurisdictions has created significant challenges for biosecurity, food safety, and export certification. This national consultation, initiated as part of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity response process, sought views on standardising property identifiers for farms and other agricultural sites. 

The scope of the proposed property ID reform includes: Farms/producers, Wholesale and retail nurseries, Packing sheds, Stock food manufacturers, Distributions centres, Food businesses (excluding hospitality businesses), Show grounds, Farmers markets, Treatment facilities, Export facilities, Plant and livestock research facilities, Travelling stock routes, Feedlots, Saleyards, Holding yards/transit centres, Equine holding facilities, Exhibited animal premises, Pounds, Knackeries, Stock agents, Cattle sale operators, Abattoirs, Meat processors 

Key Documents & Links

• Archived DAWE Consultation Page

• Ministers' Response and Reform Principles

GS1 Australia Submission  

GS1 Australia welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the National Property ID Reform consultation, advocating for the harmonisation of existing property codes using the GS1 Global Location Number (GLN). Our submission focused on practical implementation, drawing from experience with global food, retail and transport industries. 

Key points included: 

✅ Use what already works – GLNs are globally recognised, flexible identifiers already in use across food retail, healthcare and logistics. They offer an interoperable, standards-based method to link properties with traceability and safety systems - without replacing existing PIC systems. 

✅ Harmonise, don’t duplicate – Rather than forcing a uniform system, GS1 proposed GLNs as a harmonising layer to federate state and territory PICs. This would reduce red tape while supporting interoperability between jurisdictions, industry systems, and international certification frameworks like GLOBAL G.A.P and the EU Digital Product Passport. 

✅ Operational and regulatory utility – GLNs enable not just compliance but operational visibility -identifying farms, paddocks, silos and production zones. GS1’s National Location Register already supports emergency response and recall systems in sectors like healthcare and could be extended to agriculture. 

✅ Rapid traceability and export readiness – Linking GLNs to traceability and export certification supports faster biosecurity response and trade competitiveness. The approach aligns with Australian efforts to reduce friction at international borders and enable automated certificate generation. 

GS1 Australia stands ready to assist governments in implementing modern, digital property ID systems that enhance biosecurity, reduce burden, and link with traceability infrastructure already in place across industries. 

📄 Download GS1 Australia's Full Submission (PDF)