Pastoral leases in South Australia

Pastoral leases

A pastoral lease allows the occupation and use of Crown (government) land for the use of grazing or raising livestock (pastoralism). There are 321 pastoral leases that cover over 40% of South Australia.

The Pastoral Board of South Australia is responsible to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for the administration of the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989.

The objectives of the Act are to:

ensure that pastoral land is well managed so its renewable resources are maintained and its yield sustained
provide a system for monitoring condition, preventing degradation and enabling rehabilitation of pastoral land
provide a system of tenure for pastoral purposes, that is, for the pasturing of stock and other ancillary purposes
recognise Aboriginal persons' rights to follow traditional pursuits
provide a system of public access to and through pastoral land
provide for the operation of renewable energy infrastructure
allow pastoral land to be used for conservation purposes
allow pastoral land to be used for other appropriate purposes (such as carbon farming).

2024 Updates to the Act

In early 2024, Parliament approved minor amendments to the Pastoral Act to confirm that pastoral leases can be used for carbon farming and conservation. These changes were informed through consultation with a range of organisations who have a close interest in pastoral land management, in conjunction with Livestock SA and the Nature Conservation Society of SA..

The Pastoral Board has since updated its guidelines and approval process for change of pastoral land use to reflect these changes. The guidelines include consideration of any changes to lease conditions, and consideration of potential impacts on neighbours and on Native Title rights.

Where the Board has previously approved a non-pastoral use, these approvals remain in effect.

Further information:

Pastoral Board

The Pastoral Board supports the Minister to administer the Act by providing policy advice, and general advice when requested by the Minister.

Pastoral Unit

The Pastoral Unit supports the Pastoral Board and the Minister in managing the Act.

Pastoral lease holders

Pastoral lease holders (lessees) manage properties across the vast South Australian outback. The Pastoral Lease Handbook sets out lessees’ obligations under the Pastoral Act in addition to other relevant information, such as legislation that should be considered in the management of pastoral lands. The e-version of the Handbook will be updated regularly to reflect changes to information pertinent to pastoralists.

Lessees’ responsibilities include following good land management practices, preventing land degradation, endeavouring to improve the condition of the land, and complying with their lease conditions.

Pastoral lease tenure forms

For dealings related to tenure such as transferring a lease or sub-leasing complete the relevant pastoral lease tenure form.

Travelling across a pastoral lease

Certain routes through pastoral land can be accessed by the public. These are known as 'public access routes'. To travel on other tracks on a pastoral lease, permission from the lessee must be obtained. Find out more about camping and travelling across pastoral leases.

Pastoral land can also be used by Aboriginal persons for the purpose of following traditional pursuits.