Virtual fencing becomes a reality in SA
Tuesday 16 December 2025 Primary industries
Virtual fencing has been legalised in South Australia, allowing producers to use the game-changing technology to improve cattle management, reduce infrastructure costs and help protect native vegetation.
An amendment to the Animal Welfare Regulations 2012 has been approved, enabling virtual fencing to be used in South Australia’s agricultural sector.
The updates will allow manufacturers to apply to the government for approval of their virtual fencing technology and system from early 2026. Primary producers will then be able to buy or lease an approved system for use in their operations.
Virtual fencing will be used for cattle management only, and applications will be considered against stringent approval criteria and conditions, which ensure animal welfare is at the forefront of any decisions.
Virtual fencing uses collars capable of producing an electric stimulus to contain cattle to an assigned area. The stimulus is significantly weaker than the shock from a standard electric fence.
The devices deliver sound cues – such as a "beep" – if near a virtual boundary and animals learn that, if they continue their direction of movement towards leaving the virtual boundary, they will receive an electrical stimulus. Some systems can also actively herd animals using vibrations and audio cues, which allow the animals to move at their own pace.
The technology can support more efficient animal and pasture management and reduce costs associated with building and maintaining internal paddock fencing.
Virtual fencing can also allow more precise control over grazing areas, enabling farmers to protect sensitive areas like waterways, native vegetation and wildlife habitat.
Key characteristics and approval criteria include:
- minimum age requirements for collars being placed on an animal
- training for the animals and the user
- safeguards to ensure the technology does not prevent an animal from returning to a designated area.
For more information, see Commercialisation of virtual fencing for livestock.