Guide · Wildlife Fencing
Wildlife Fencing Steel Guide
A practical trade reference for the steel sections used in fauna exclusion, koala and roadside wildlife fencing across Australia — written for fencing contractors, environmental consultants and infrastructure project managers.
Specification & Supply
Wildlife fencing is engineered for one job: keep native fauna off roads and out of restricted areas without harming the animals. The steel framework — line posts, strainers, top rails, overhang arms and buried apron steel — is what gives the fence its structure and service life. This guide covers the section sizes typically specified on Australian wildlife exclusion projects, the finishes that survive remote and coastal environments, and how steel selection differs between koala, macropod, wombat and general fauna exclusion programs. All sizes below are indicative trade references — final engineering and specification must be set by the project consultant or road authority.
- Line posts: 50NB–89NB galvanised CHS, 1.8–3.0 m, cut to engineer's spec
- Strainers and corners: 89NB or 114NB CHS with welded brace and stay assemblies
- Top rail: 33NB or 40NB CHS to anchor mesh and overhang systems
- Overhang arms: angled CHS or RHS fabricated to detail (typical 300–450 mm overhang)
- Apron steel: galvanised flats and angles for buried apron pinning
- Finish: hot-dip galvanised after fabrication to AS/NZS 4680
Specifications
AS/NZS 1163 · AS/NZS 4680 — indicative trade reference| Fauna Exclusion Line Posts | 50NB or 65NB galvanised CHS at 3–5 m centres |
|---|---|
| Macropod / Kangaroo Fencing | 65NB CHS line posts, 89NB strainers, 1.8–2.1 m total height |
| Koala Fencing | Smooth galvanised CHS (65NB–89NB) with angled overhang to prevent climbing |
| Wombat Exclusion | Heavy galvanised mesh on CHS posts with buried apron steel to prevent digging |
| Roadside Fauna Fencing | 65NB–89NB CHS line posts, 114NB strainers, project-engineered to road authority detail |
| Conservation / Cluster Fencing | Heavy CHS strainers on remote pastoral exclusion programs — pre-fabricated stays |
| Standard Finish | Hot-dip galvanised to AS/NZS 4680 — typical 600 g/m² coating for long-life ground contact |
| Standard Lengths | 1.8 · 2.1 · 2.4 · 2.7 · 3.0 m — custom lengths available on project orders |
Why contractors buy steel from us
Trade WholesaleMill direct supply
Sourced direct from Australian and approved overseas mills — bulk pricing without the merchant markup.
AS/NZS compliant
Steel manufactured to recognised Australian Standards. Mill certificates supplied on request for engineered jobs.
Cut to length
Mill lengths, standard fencing lengths or cut-to-size packs — palletised ready for site.
Australia-wide freight
Direct truck loads, part loads and palletised freight to metro, regional and remote project sites.
Bulk & project quantities
From single pack to full mill order — priced for fencing contractors, fabricators and infrastructure programs.
Trade-only pricing
We supply the trade — fencing contractors, fabricators, steel merchants, landscapers and government buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wildlife exclusion fencing?+
Wildlife exclusion fencing is engineered fencing designed to keep native fauna out of a defined area — most commonly roads (to prevent vehicle strike) and conservation zones (to protect reintroduction programs). It uses a steel framework with fine-aperture mesh, often with overhangs or buried aprons depending on the species.
What steel posts are specified for koala fencing?+
Koala-rated fencing uses smooth-finish galvanised CHS posts, typically 65NB–89NB, with a 300–450 mm angled overhang at the top to prevent climbing. Smooth surfaces are deliberately specified — rough or textured posts give koalas a grip.
How are wombat-proof fences built?+
Wombat exclusion fences use heavy galvanised mesh on standard CHS line posts, with a buried apron (mesh laid horizontally underground or pinned with galvanised flats / angles) to prevent the animals from digging under the fence line.
What finish lasts in remote and coastal environments?+
Hot-dip galvanised after fabrication to AS/NZS 4680 is the standard specification — typical 600 g/m² coating gives decades of service even in ground-contact and coastal-exposure environments.
Do you supply steel for government and road authority projects?+
Yes — we supply galvanised CHS line posts, heavy strainers, overhang sections and apron steel for state road authority, DOT and council wildlife exclusion programs. Mill direct on full pack project orders, palletised for remote delivery, subject to availability.
How is roadside fauna fencing different from rural fencing?+
Roadside fauna fencing is engineered to a road authority specification — typically higher (1.8–2.4 m), with anti-climb mesh, overhang detailing and buried apron. Rural stock fencing is a lighter design intended to control livestock rather than exclude wildlife.