VICTORIA is set to follow most other Australian states in legalising the use of virtual fencing technology for managing livestock.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has announced that new regulations will be prepared for the use of virtual fencing following engagement with industry, manufacturers, and researchers to understand the animal welfare impacts of the technology and how it makes farms more efficient.

“We know that Victorian farmers are looking to use virtual fencing and herding technology to improve productivity and farmer safety, which is why we’re making decisions to ensure farmers have the best technology up to date,” Ms Spence said.

“It is critical that we have appropriate safeguards in place to protect animal welfare, while enabling innovation on farms and these new regulations will provide a framework to achieve this.”

Since July 2024, Agriculture Victoria has been trialling virtual fencing collars on dairy cattle at one of its farms. The cattle have been fitted with solar powered smart collars, produced by Halter, that use electronic cues to contain animals within a virtual fence and guide them to areas of the farm via a mobile phone app. It also allows farmers to monitor their cows’ location, health and reproductive status.

New South Wales was the last State to give virtual fencing the green light, following Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia.

In formulating the laws, the NSW Government conducted an inquiry into virtual fencing which heard a clear division between animal welfare groups who were against it and farming groups who were for it.

The Victorian Government says it is working on making sure animal welfare is accounted for in its virtual fencing regulations.

Agriculture Victoria is also actively contributing to the development of the Australian Animal Welfare Guide for Virtual Fencing, a project led by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

This guide aims to support a consistent regulatory approach across states and territories, while ensuring optimal animal welfare outcomes where virtual fencing is used.

Producers in South Australia have also recently called for their State Government to allow the use of virtual fencing.