Virtual fencing | cattle management
Important note: Manufacturer applications are expected to open in early January 2026. Check back for application details and criteria.
South Australia is enabling virtual fencing to be used in South Australia’s agricultural sector.
This page will help you:
- Learn about virtual fencing
- Understand the application and approval process to use virtual fencing
- Find answers to frequently asked questions
About virtual fencing
Virtual fencing is a livestock management system that uses collars to create invisible boundaries for cattle, eliminating the need for physical paddock fences.
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.
Virtual fencing systems allow farmers to monitor their herds and individual animals remotely via an app on a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Some systems can also actively herd animals using vibrations and audio cues, which allow the animals to move at their own pace but can escalate to an electrical stimulus if the animals do not move when directed.
Using virtual fencing in South Australia
An amendment to the Animal Welfare Regulations 2012 enables manufacturers to apply for approval to sell or lease their virtual fencing technology/system.
Virtual fencing will be approved for cattle management only, and applications will be considered against stringent approval criteria and conditions to ensure animal welfare is at the forefront of any decisions.
Work is currently underway to develop approval criteria and conditions. More information will be made available when applications open in early 2026.
Applications expected to open in early January 2026.
Virtual fencing manufacturers will be required to apply to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for approval of their technology and/or system.
Key characteristics and requirements under the amended Animal Welfare Regulations 2012 include:
- Minimum age requirements for collars.
- Training for the animals and the user.
- Safeguards to ensure the technology does not prevent an animal from returning to a designated area.
Additional approval criteria and conditions are being developed.
This page will be updated with further details on the application process and approval criteria/conditions.
Once a virtual fencing system has been approved, primary producers can buy or lease an approved system for use in their operations.
A list of approved manufacturers will be made available on this webpage.
Anyone who uses, or plans to use, a virtual fencing system on their cattle must also be aware of their legal requirements.
Requirements for users will include:
- Training (both for the user and cattle)
- Managing and monitoring potential welfare risks
- Collar fitting
- The minimum age a device can be placed on an animal
- Second-hand selling of virtual fencing systems
Users are strongly encouraged to read the regulations for full details. More information will be made available on this page when systems have been approved for use in South Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Virtual fencing technology can support more efficient animal and pasture management and reduce costs associated with building and maintaining internal paddock fencing.
It can also allow more precise control over grazing areas, enabling farmers to protect sensitive areas like waterways, native vegetation and wildlife habitat.
There are potential welfare benefits of virtual fencing when coupled with individual monitoring, enabling farmer to manage their herds on an individual animal basis far more effectively.
No. In South Australia, virtual fencing is only approved for use in cattle management.
This means it is illegal to use a collar capable of giving an electrical shock or stimulus on any other species of animal.
The only exception to this is for research purposes as part of a project approved by an Animal Ethics Committee.
The collars are generally GPS enabled and use cellular data or long-range radio signals to track individual animal movement. This data is typically shared with an app so farmers can track the movement of their cattle via their smartphone, tablet or computer.
Systems also send alerts in particular scenarios, including if an animal is out of the designated area, or interacting with the virtual fence line.
Collars can only be used on animals 6 months or older.
Contact us
If you need help or support, contact the Department for Environment and Water’s Animal Welfare team at dewanimalwelfare@sa.gov.au
