The state's cattle and dairy farmers have a new AgTech option to manage their livestock with the NSW Government delivering on its promise to legalise virtual stock fencing this year so that farmers can reduce costs and take advantage of new data on the welfare of their herds.
The Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, today announced the technology would be regulated for use in NSW, enabling the state's farmers to better manage their stock and to side-step the cost of hard fencing.
The NSW Government has delivered virtual fencing following discussions with farmers, NSW Member of Parliament for Orange, Phil Donato, and considering the recommendations of the Legislative Assembly Committee Inquiry into the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2024.
Extensive consultation with farming groups, animal welfare enforcement agencies, and suppliers, have been consulted to draft a best practice regulation that fosters modern farming and ensures the welfare of the livestock.
Virtual fencing is an AgTech solution to managing cattle without the need for physical fencing within a farm's boundaries. Instead, collars or neck bands that use GPS technology deliver sensory cues to influence the movement of livestock.
The technology can also monitor the activity, health and welfare of cattle, and can reduce the stress of the animals that can arise from herding with quad bikes and dogs.
The enabling of this technology for NSW has the potential to markedly improve the efficiency of rotational grazing systems and reduce the need for the costly establishment and maintenance of internal fences.
The regulation adopts the NSW Guide to Animal Welfare for Virtual Fencing of Cattle that provides appropriate safeguards for animal welfare in the design and operation of virtual fencing, including:
- The user must be trained in how to use the device by the supplier or manufacturer.
- The user must ensure devices are regularly monitored and animal welfare standards are met.
- Devices will allow users to control the boundaries that trigger cues to the animal, but users cannot deliver cues directly to an animal.
- Devices must use vibrational or audio cues first, before using electric cues.
- The technology can only be used for cattle.
The technology has built-in features which can temporarily disable the device based on animal behaviour, location, system connectivity or as a safeguard. It also alerts the user to any animal welfare issues and determines if user intervention is required.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
"The NSW Government is offering cattle farmers a new opportunity today by legalising virtual stock fencing. We committed to allow virtual fencing and now we are delivering on it.
"Our Government introduced this regulation following years of inaction by the former Coalition Government. NSW's farmers have now gained access to this new technology like their counterparts use in Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania.
"We have has listened to the farming industry, animal welfare groups, and advocates like the Member for Orange Phil Donato and we have got the balance right for delivering virtual fencing on farms.
"By legalising virtual fencing, we have ensured farmers can use the technology to reconfigure paddocks with the touch of a button and also receive insights on the health and movements of their herds in real time so they can act sooner when required."
NSW Member for Parliament for Orange Phil Donato said:
"Legalising virtual stock fencing is a commonsense win for our farmers and for regional NSW. I've been calling for this reform for years because it gives producers the freedom to manage their herds more efficiently, safely, and sustainably. It's pleasing to finally see this AgTech innovation recognised in law so our farmers can get on with the job."
"This technology has already proven its value across Australia and the world, and it's time our farmers had equal access to the tools that improve productivity and animal welfare. Virtual fencing means less time repairing boundary lines and more time focusing on herd health, pasture management and the day-to-day realities of running a modern cattle operation."
"Producers in the Central West and across NSW have been asking for a practical solution that reduces costs, improves labour efficiency, and adapts to challenging seasonal conditions. Virtual fencing delivers exactly that. It's flexible, responsive, and gives farmers real-time insight into their cattle—something traditional fences simply can't do."
"I've spoken with countless local farmers who see virtual fencing as the next major step in agricultural innovation. Bringing this technology into NSW isn't just about catching up—it's about backing our producers with tools that support smarter land management, protect sensitive areas, and strengthen the long-term viability of the industry."
NSW Farmers' President Xavier Martin said:
"Virtual fencing has changed the game for cattle producers not just in other parts of Australia, but around the globe, and so it's time NSW came up to speed.
"From reducing ongoing fencing and maintenance costs, protecting biodiversity and limiting stock handling, the benefits of this technology make it an incredibly powerful tool.
"With farmers needing to produce more food and fibre than ever before, it's vital we jump on board with innovative technologies like this, so we can feed the future."
eastAUSmilk CEO Eric Danzi said:
"eastAUSmilk welcomes the decision to legalise virtual fencing in NSW. In states where the technology is already available, dairy farmers have achieved significant productivity gains and efficiencies. NSW dairy farmers have had a tough year with disasters, and this technology promises to help ease the load.
"We have many dairy farmers who are eager to put in virtual fencing as soon as it is legal to do so. We thank Minister Moriarty for being so proactive to allow this technology to be available for dairy farmers in NSW."
