The Dog Fence in South Australia
The South Australian Dog Fence was established under the Dog Fence Act 1946 to protect the sheep industry from the severe impact of wild dogs and dingoes.
The Dog Fence stretches across South Australia for 2,110 km from the Great Australian Bight near Fowlers Bay to the New South Wales border.
In South Australia, the fence is owned by the property inside and adjacent to the fence, except where a local Dog Fence board has been established. In this case, the fence ownership is vested in the relevant local board. Owners of the fence must inspect the fence at least every 14 days, keep the fence dog proof, and destroy wild dogs in its vicinity by baiting, trapping, or shooting.
Since 2019, more than two-thirds of the Dog Fence is being rebuilt in SA to protect the State’s $4.3 billion livestock industry.
In June 2025, the SA Dog Fence Board and NSW Government signed an agreement that will see up to 290 km of new dog fence built on the SA-NSW border.
Administration
The Dog Fence Board is the governing body set up to administer and manage the SA Dog Fence.
The Board inspects half of the fence every year to identify sections that need updating or replacing, and to prioritise capital works. This information is provided in inspection reports that summarise the condition of the fence.
Maintenance
The Dog Fence Board maintains a database of contractors interested in undertaking fencing, earthmoving, or patrol works.
If you would like to be added to the database, please complete and submit an Expression of Interest Form ( ).
Funding
The Board ensures that the fence is patrolled and maintained using funds from:
- rates paid by landholdings greater than 10 square kilometres located in the Dog Fence rateable area
- a portion of the levy paid on all sheep sold in South Australia through the Sheep Industry Fund
- the South Australian Government which matches the above rates and levies on a dollar-for-dollar basis
- a levy paid by the properties immediately outside the Dog Fence.
Collection of rates
The Dog Fence Board collect rates in accordance with the Dog Fence Act 1946 on all landholdings greater than 10 square kilometres in the rateable area.
The Board currently operates a two-tiered rate model that sets two separate rates. The tier 1 rateable area includes the pastoral unincorporated lands inside the Dog Fence, and a selection of adjoining Hundreds. The tier 2 rateable area includes a selection of Hundreds adjoining the tier 1 area.
- The rateable areas can be seen in Dog Fence rateable areas map ( ).
- Applicable Hundreds are identified in Hundreds that pay Dog Fence rates ( ).
The Board have developed the following principles in relation to the payment of rates:
- All landholdings greater than 10 square kilometres within the rateable area are subject to rates, regardless of land tenure. This includes, but is not limited to, land used for livestock production, farming, cropping, private conservation, parks and reserves, cultural use, mining and exploration, lifestyle, or investment. With the exception of the salt lakes of Lake Torrens and Lake Gairdner, the Dog Fence Board do not exempt non-livestock production properties from paying rates.
- The Dog Fence Board understand that due to influences outside of rate payer control, rate payers may experience financial hardship. The Dog Fence Board consider rate payer circumstances on a case by case basis and where genuine financial hardship is identified, the Board may offer modification to payment terms to ease financial burden.
Dog Fence Rates are critical to the effective management and maintenance of the Dog Fence. In accordance with the Dog Fence Act 1946 the Dog Fence Board may apply fines of an additional 10 percent on any unpaid amount within 28 days after the day on which the amount became due and payable. Outstanding accounts will be recovered through a debt collection agency or by action in a court.
Contact
If you have any questions about the South Australian Dog Fence, please contact:
Lindell Andrews, Dog Fence Rebuild Manager
Phone: (08) 8429 0831 Email: lindell.andrews@sa.gov.au