Rural Products
Complete rural fencing and hardware supply — star pickets, plain and barbed wire, hinge joint netting, rabbit netting, tube farm gates, strainer posts, droppers and all associated fittings. Also stocking a full tool-free clip-on post and dropper system for rotational grazing and temporary fencing.
Technical Reference
Applicable Australian Standards · Material specifications · Application guidance
AS/NZS 4534:2006
Zinc and zinc/aluminium-alloy coatings on steel wire
Governs zinc coating mass on galvanised star pickets, plain wire, barbed wire and hinge joint netting. Standard galvanised wire carries minimum 30 g/m² zinc; heavy galvanised carries minimum 60 g/m² for extended service life in coastal and high-rainfall environments.
AS/NZS 4680:2006
Hot-dip galvanised (zinc) coatings on fabricated ferrous articles
Applies to hot-dip galvanised tube gates, strainer posts and fittings. Minimum average coating thickness 45 µm on structural sections. Galvanised tube gates are manufactured from ERW tube to AS 1163 and hot-dip galvanised after fabrication.
AS 1418.1:2002
Barbed wire — General requirements
Specifies wire diameter, barb spacing (75–150mm), barb length (12–16mm) and zinc coating mass for barbed wire. Standard two-strand barbed wire uses 2.50mm line wire with 2.00mm barbs. Heavy-gauge barbed wire uses 2.80mm line wire for high-security applications.
AS 1725:2010
Chain-link fabric fencing
Applies to hinge joint netting and rabbit netting used in rural fencing. Specifies aperture tolerances, wire diameter and selvedge requirements. Hinge joint netting is typically 90cm to 150cm high with 150×150mm aperture for cattle and sheep containment.
Star Picket Selection Guide
| Weight (kg/m) | Duty Rating | Typical Spacing | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.25 kg/m | Light | 3–4m | Temporary fencing, garden beds, light stock control, electric fence lines |
| 1.50 kg/m | Standard | 2.5–3m | Standard rural fencing — sheep, cattle, horses; most common specification |
| 2.00 kg/m | Heavy | 2–2.5m | Heavy stock (bulls, pigs), high-tension wire fencing, corner and strainer posts |
Typical Applications by Property Type
Sheep & Wool
Hinge joint netting with plain wire top strand; 1.05m high; 2.5m post spacing
Cattle
Plain wire 5–7 strand; barbed top wire; 1.2m high; 2.5–3m post spacing
Horses
Plain wire or horse mesh; no barbed wire; 1.5m high; 2.5m post spacing
Pigs & Goats
Hinge joint netting with small aperture; 1.2m high; 2m post spacing
Rabbit Control
Rabbit netting 750mm high buried 150mm; plain wire above; 2m post spacing
Cropping / Vineyard
Star pickets with plain wire; deer netting or bird netting for crop protection
Disclaimer: Nominal star picket weights, wire diameters and coating masses are subject to permissible manufacturing tolerances per AS/NZS 4534:2006 and AS/NZS 4680:2006. Post spacing, wire tension and fence height recommendations are indicative only and should be verified against your specific stock type, terrain and wind loading. Steel Source Australia supplies materials only; fence design and installation is the responsibility of the contractor or property owner.
Wire — Coil Lengths, Coil Weights & Lengths Per Tonne
| Wire Type | Diameter | Standard Coil Length | Coil Weight (approx) | Coils Per Tonne | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Wire (Galv) | 2.50mm | 500m | ~19 kg | ~53 coils/t | AS 1650 |
| Plain Wire (Galv) | 3.15mm | 500m | ~30 kg | ~33 coils/t | AS 1650 |
| Plain Wire (Galv) | 4.00mm | 250m | ~25 kg | ~40 coils/t | AS 1650 |
| Barbed Wire (2-ply) | 2.50mm line | 200m | ~16 kg | ~63 coils/t | AS/NZS 4534 |
| Barbed Wire (2-ply) | 2.50mm line | 400m | ~32 kg | ~31 coils/t | AS/NZS 4534 |
| Hinge Joint Netting | 2.50mm / 2.00mm | 100m roll | ~40–80 kg | ~13–25 rolls/t | AS/NZS 4534 |
| Ringlock Netting | 2.50mm / 2.00mm | 100m roll | ~45–90 kg | ~11–22 rolls/t | AS/NZS 4534 |
| Rabbit Netting (Galv) | 0.90mm | 50m roll | ~5–8 kg | ~125–200 rolls/t | AS 1650 |
* Coil weights and lengths per tonne are approximate. Actual values vary with wire diameter tolerance, coating mass and coil configuration. Galvanised coating mass to AS/NZS 4534:2006 Class 3 (min 260 g/m²) for agricultural wire.
Star Pickets — Bundle Sizes & Lengths Per Tonne
| Size | Weight/m | Post Weight (1.8m) | Typical Bundle | Posts Per Tonne (1.8m) | Duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0m | 1.25 kg/m | 1.25 kg | 50 posts | 800 posts/t | Light |
| 1.2m | 1.25 kg/m | 1.50 kg | 50 posts | 667 posts/t | Light |
| 1.5m | 1.25 kg/m | 1.88 kg | 50 posts | 533 posts/t | Light |
| 1.65m | 1.25 kg/m | 2.06 kg | 50 posts | 485 posts/t | Light |
| 1.8m | 1.25 kg/m | 2.25 kg | 50 posts | 444 posts/t | Light |
| 2.1m | 1.25 kg/m | 2.63 kg | 50 posts | 381 posts/t | Light |
| 1.5m | 1.50 kg/m | 2.25 kg | 50 posts | 444 posts/t | Standard |
| 1.8m | 1.50 kg/m | 2.70 kg | 50 posts | 370 posts/t | Standard |
| 2.1m | 1.50 kg/m | 3.15 kg | 50 posts | 317 posts/t | Standard |
| 1.5m | 2.00 kg/m | 3.00 kg | 25 posts | 333 posts/t | Heavy |
| 1.8m | 2.00 kg/m | 3.60 kg | 25 posts | 278 posts/t | Heavy |
| 2.1m | 2.00 kg/m | 4.20 kg | 25 posts | 238 posts/t | Heavy |
* Posts per tonne calculated as 1000 ÷ post weight (kg). Bundle sizes are indicative — actual bundle count may vary by supplier. Star pickets to AS/NZS 4534:2006.
Farm Gates — Standard Sizes & Specifications
| Gate Type | Width | Height | Tube Size | Bars | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Bar Economy (25NB) | 1.2m (4ft) | 1.17m | 25NB (33.7mm OD) | 5 | Galvanised |
| 5 Bar Economy (25NB) | 1.8m (6ft) | 1.17m | 25NB (33.7mm OD) | 5 | Galvanised |
| 5 Bar Economy (25NB) | 2.4m (8ft) | 1.17m | 25NB (33.7mm OD) | 5 | Galvanised |
| 5 Bar Economy (25NB) | 3.0m (10ft) | 1.17m | 25NB (33.7mm OD) | 5 | Galvanised |
| 5 Bar Economy (25NB) | 3.6m (12ft) | 1.17m | 25NB (33.7mm OD) | 5 | Galvanised |
| 5 Bar Heavy Duty (32NB) | 2.4m (8ft) | 1.17m | 32NB (42.4mm OD) | 5 | Galvanised |
| 5 Bar Heavy Duty (32NB) | 3.0m (10ft) | 1.17m | 32NB (42.4mm OD) | 5 | Galvanised |
| 5 Bar Heavy Duty (32NB) | 3.6m (12ft) | 1.17m | 32NB (42.4mm OD) | 5 | Galvanised |
| 6 Bar Heavy Duty (32NB) | 1.2m (4ft) | 1.49m | 32NB (42.4mm OD) | 6 | Galvanised |
| 6 Bar Heavy Duty (32NB) | 1.8m (6ft) | 1.49m | 32NB (42.4mm OD) | 6 | Galvanised |
| N-Stay (25NB) | 3.0m (10ft) | 1.17m | 25NB (33.7mm OD) | 5 + N-brace | Galvanised |
| Mesh Gate (25NB) | 1.2m (4ft) | 1.17m | 25NB (33.7mm OD) | Mesh infill | Galvanised |
* Gate dimensions are nominal. 25NB = 25mm nominal bore (33.7mm OD); 32NB = 32mm nominal bore (42.4mm OD). All gates hot-dip galvanised to AS/NZS 4680:2006. Hinges and latches included. Double gates available on request.
Industry Membership
Galvanizers Association of Australia
Steel Source Australia is a member of the Galvanizers Association of Australia (GAA) — the peak industry body for hot dip galvanizing in Australia since 1985. Rural fencing products depend on their galvanised coating for longevity in harsh agricultural environments. GAA membership means our team has access to the latest technical guidance on coating specifications, durability data, and inspection standards — so you can be confident the galvanised wire, star pickets, and farm gates we supply will perform in Australian conditions.
AS/NZS 4534 Class 3
The standard for agricultural fencing wire in Australia. Class 3 coating (min. 260 g/m²) provides corrosion resistance for rural environments. GAA guidance helps specify the correct class for your region.
AS/NZS 4680
Hot-dip galvanised coatings on fabricated ferrous articles — governs star pickets, farm gates, and fencing accessories. Minimum average coating thickness 45 µm.
GAA Durability Calculator
GAA's online durability estimator helps predict coating life in your specific environment — coastal, rural, industrial — based on zinc coating mass and local conditions.
Australian Standards Reference — Rural Fencing Products
AS/NZS 4534:2006
Zinc and Zinc/Aluminium-Alloy Coatings on Steel Wire
Specifies requirements for zinc and zinc/aluminium-alloy coatings on steel wire used in fencing, including barbed wire, plain wire and netting. Defines coating mass classes (Class 1–3) and minimum coating mass requirements.
AS/NZS 4680:2006
Hot-Dip Galvanised (Zinc) Coatings on Fabricated Ferrous Articles
Specifies requirements for hot-dip galvanised coatings on fabricated steel articles including farm gates, star pickets and fencing accessories. Minimum average coating thickness 45 µm (local minimum 35 µm).
AS 1650:1989
Hot-Dipped Galvanised Coatings on Ferrous Articles
Covers galvanised coatings on plain wire, barbed wire and other ferrous articles. Defines coating mass requirements by wire diameter. Superseded in part by AS/NZS 4534 for wire products.
AS/NZS 4534:2006 Class 3
Agricultural Wire — Coating Class
Class 3 coating (minimum 260 g/m²) is the standard for agricultural fencing wire in Australia. Provides corrosion resistance suitable for rural environments. Class 1 (70 g/m²) is for light-duty indoor use only.
AS 1725:2010
Chain-Link Fabric Fencing
Specifies requirements for chain-link (chainwire) fabric fencing including wire diameter, mesh aperture, height and coating. Relevant to rural chainwire applications around yards, sheds and paddocks.
AS/NZS 3750.9
Paints for Steel Structures — Organic Zinc-Rich Primer
Relevant to painted (black) star pickets and fencing accessories. Black star pickets are painted with an organic zinc-rich primer for corrosion resistance. Galvanised pickets provide superior long-term corrosion protection.
Large Property or Bulk Order?
Fencing a large rural property or need bulk quantities? Contact our team for competitive pricing and delivery to your gate.