Fencing is critical on farms in Australia to avoid trespassing or straying of animals or defining boundaries.

It can be one of the biggest hassles for farmers or anyone with land, especially graziers, due to the vast areas they cover. You can pay anywhere from around $5 to over $20 per metre depending on what kind you need.

Tyoe of fencing

Average cost per metre

Wire mesh

$5 to $15

Wire

$5 to $8

Hinge lock

$15 to $27

Chain link

$50 to $80

Pine slats

$10 to $25

Electric

$50 to $120

There are a few things to consider when working out how much rural fencing will cost.

  • Height of the fence

  • Type of fencing material

  • If you need gates

  • Labour costs

The most common fencing materials are wire, steel, wooden, and aluminium posts. The price also depends on how long the fence needs to be. Gates can add an extra metre or two to the total length. So if you need a 50-metre hedge with two gates, that would be around 100 metres in total. Wire is generally the cheapest fencing material, while aluminium is one of the more expensive options.

Choosing a rural fence

When choosing a rural fence, you need to consider the purpose of the barricade, the type of terrain, and the climate conditions. The fencing cost per metre varies, depending on the type of fence you choose. It can be an external or internal fence.

The most common type of fence is a post and rail fence. A bar and rail fence consists of poles set in the ground, with attached rails. This type of fence is suitable for areas with open farmland, as it allows livestock to see through the fence. The fencing cost per metre for a post and rail fence ranges from $10 to $15. A paling fence may cost around $7 per metre.

Another common type of rural fence is a wire mesh fence. A wire mesh fence is made from metal or plastic mesh panels attached to metal or wooden posts. This type of fence is suitable for areas with dense vegetation, as the barrier will keep animals in or out of the site. The rural fencing cost per metre for a wire mesh fence ranges from $10 to $20.

The final type of farm fencing is an electric fence. An electric fence uses electricity to shock livestock that comes into contact with the barrier. This type of fence is suitable for areas with dense vegetation and predators, as it will keep animals in or out of the site. The boundary fence cost per metre for an electric fence ranges from $50 to $100.

When choosing a new fence, you need to consider the fence's purpose, the type of terrain, and the climate conditions. The farm fences cost per metre varies, depending on the type of farm fencing you choose.

What is a post and wire fence?

A post and wire fence is a type of farm fencing made of posts set in the land, with wires attached. The barrier is suitable for areas with open farmland, as it allows domestic animals, for example, cattle and sheep, to see through the fence. The barbed wire fences prices per metre for a post and wire fence range from $10 to $15.

What is the cost of a boundary fence?

The most common fencing materials are barbed wire fencing, steel, wooden, and aluminium poles. Woven wire fences are generally the cheapest fencing material, while aluminium is one of the more expensive options.

  • For 50 metre wire fence with two gates, you can expect to pay between $450 and $700.

  • A 50 metre timber fence would cost approximately $1,400.

  • A 50 metre steel post fence would cost around $1,200.

  • 50 metre electric fencing would cost roughly $3,000, but this type of fencing is mainly used for larger properties in areas that have predators such as wild dogs or foxes.

What is a high tensile electric fence?

High tensile internal fences use electricity. It shocks animals like cattle or horses near the fencing to keep them off crops or machinery. It is suitable for areas with dense vegetation and predators, as it will keep animals in or out of the fenced area. The rural fencing cost per metre for an electric fence ranges from $50 to $100. It works by attaching the wire to a charger, which runs on an electric current. When feral animals come into contact with the wire, they will feel shocked by the fences.

How are rural fences installed?

To install a rural fence in Australia, you need to purchase the best end assemblies with steel strainer assemblies. You need to dig in the posts and attach the wire or mesh panels. The total cost of the strainer posts per metre varies according to how long it is, what type of material you choose, and whether labour costs are included in the price. A post and rail fencing comprises posts set with rails attached to the posts. The fence is suitable for areas with rugged terrain and open farmland. It allows farm animals to see through the fencing. The cost of rural fencing per metre for intermediate posts for post and rail fencing ranges from $10 to $15.

Do you need special fences for livestock?

Yes, there are different types of fences explicitly designed for farm animals.

The most common types of rural fencing used for farm animals are a high tensile electric fence and a netting one.

High tensile electric fences use electricity to shock other animals that contact the wire, keeping them in or out of an area.

The netting one is made up of wire mesh panels attached to posts, and it is used to keep livestock in or out of an area. The netting allows animals to see through the fencing, and it is a more affordable option than high tensile electric fences.

The Western Australia state government has a handy guide to fencing for beginners.