Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation (Virtual Fencing) Amendment 2025

The regulation has been amended to legalise virtual fencing for cattle in NSW.

The amendment supports responsible use of this technology while ensuring animal welfare safeguards. It was developed with input from stakeholders and includes a guide so that users of the technology understand how they can meet their animal welfare obligations.

In summary, the amendment:

• Allows the sale and use of virtual fencing devices in NSW, but only if users are trained by the supplier, are on the same property as the cattle at the time the device is activated, and are satisfied that the device will be monitored by someone who can deactivate or remove it if it malfunctions or causes the animal distress.
• Adopts the NSW Animal Welfare Guide for Virtual Fencing of Cattle, which sets principles and outcomes-based criteria to protect animal welfare.
• Restricts use to within a property, except where neighbouring landholders have reached a mutual written agreement.

Virtual stock fencing systems involve cattle wearing Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled neckbands. These devices monitor and control cattle movement and are allowed for containment and herding purposes only.

Virtual fencing devices are only allowed for use on beef and dairy cattle. The cattle are trained with the devices and learn to respond to cues through rapid associative learning (see below for more information). Sensory (audio and/or vibrational) cues must be used before any electric cue is allowed. Electric cues are a last step and will stop if preset thresholds are exceeded.

Safeguards include:

• Devices that administer electric cues without first using vibrational or audio cues will not be permitted. Devices must be worn around the neck of the animal.
• The delivery of cues must be based on behavioural algorithms that enable rapid associative learning by the cattle.
• Users can control the boundaries that trigger cues but cannot deliver cues directly to the animal.
• Users must be on the same property as the cattle at the time the device is activated and be satisfied that the device will be monitored by someone who can deactivate or remove it if it malfunctions or causes the animal distress.
• Users must be trained by the supplier or manufacturer.
• Virtual fencing is prohibited to be used for biosecurity management.
• Devices can only be used within a property, except where neighbouring landowners have reached a mutual written agreement.

Cattle learn to respond to cues through rapid associative learning.

Rapid associative learning is when an animal learns to associate one stimulus with another, allowing it to anticipate future events based on previous experiences. Continued use of devices will not be allowed on animals that do not demonstrate the desired learning from the virtual fencing cues.

Active herding uses audio, vibrational and, if needed, an electric cue to guide animals to a new location. Active herding will be permitted only to move an entire herd, not to separate individuals or groups from within a herd.

Passive herding removes a virtual boundary so animals can move into a new area on their own without cues. A moving “back boundary” usually follows behind the herd to stop them returning to the previous area.

Virtual fencing systems have been designed specifically in line with animal behaviour considerations and welfare safeguards (see FAQ above). Dog shock collars do not meet animal welfare safeguards and are illegal in NSW.

Now that the devices have been legalised, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with stakeholders to undertake an education campaign for users of the technology.

The campaign will provide information on how to understand which collars are legal in NSW and how they may be used consistent with animal welfare standards.

Register to receive updates at News & announcements | Department of Primary Industries

No. Under the regulation, virtual fencing is restricted to use within a property except where neighbouring landowners have reached a mutual written agreement.

Virtual fencing is not allowed to replace any physical boundaries of a property perimeter, which prevents accidental trespassing.

Virtual fencing device systems may trigger a pause based on animal behaviour, location, system connectivity or as a safeguard. A pause will temporarily disable the device. The device can only resume after the animal is assessed and it is deemed safe to do so.

The user is alerted to a stoppage if the virtual fencing system identifies the need for user intervention. A stoppage disables the device, and it cannot be reactivated without user intervention.

If the system detects abnormal location data, it will pause or stop. Cattle outside the virtual fenced area will not be subject to ongoing cues.

Virtual fencing offers precision grazing benefits, reduced labour and material costs, maximises pasture utilisation and provides insights into herd health and movement.

Virtual fencing has the potential for cattle to be managed with less stress than conventional herding with quad bikes and dogs.

Any technology used to either fence or herd cattle – such as electric fences, or dogs and quadbikes - may cause stress and pose a risk to animal welfare, if not regulated adequately and used appropriately.

Both the regulation and guide outline clear parameters that can be used in court to establish if virtual fencing devices are being used in accordance with the legislative requirements to not cause unnecessary pain or stress.

The regulation contains a number of safeguards that must be followed (see FAQ on Safeguards above).

In addition, the guide draws on an independent scientific literature review, which was conducted to inform a nationally consistent approach to the use of virtual fencing based on science and evidence. Research measuring both behavioural and physiological indicators of stress in cattle contained by virtual fencing shows that interaction with a virtual fence induces minimal stress response and does not compromise animal welfare.

The guide contains outcomes-based criteria for the design of products and software, and for the use of the products. In particular, under the guide:

• The parameters for electric cues should be set to promote the desired containment or herding behaviour without causing unnecessary harm or stress responses in the animal. The electric cues delivered by virtual fencing devices are much weaker than those given by an electric fence – less than one tenth of the strength – and are only delivered if audio or vibrational cues are ignored.
• Virtual fencing systems are to include programmable limits that will stop cues being delivered once a threshold has been reached and not allow them to recommence without assessment of the animal’s non-response behaviour. Devices should not continue to be used on animals that fail to learn the behaviour expected from the cues.
• Devices must be individually identifiable, and a record is to be kept of which device is placed on each animal.  Virtual fencing providers should retain relevant animal welfare data for a period of at least 3 years so that is available for investigating animal welfare concerns that may be raised.