On Farm Connectivity

The four layers of farm connectivity represent the key stages that enable digital communication across your property. Some properties may use one, some or all of these layers.

Layer 1 is your Internet Entry Point: how your farm connects to the outside world. This could be through satellite, fixed wireless and/or fibre.

Layer 2 is the Farm Backbone: using directional Wi-Fi or mesh systems to spread internet from the house to sheds, yards, workshops, and other key work areas.

Layer 3 covers Long-Range Networks: typically using LPWAN networks (e.g. LoRaWAN) to connect low-power devices like tank monitors across wide areas.

Layer 4 is Remote Satellite Networks: for isolated locations where no other connection reaches. These low-data devices use satellite networks to connect.

Used together, these layers help farmers build a tailored connectivity setup that suits their property size, infrastructure layout, and the way they work – whether that’s managing livestock, monitoring water, or improving safety and efficiency.

“How the internet gets to your house and around the farm.”

This is your main internet connection – the way your farm connects to the outside world.
It might come via:

• Satellite (nbn® Sky Muster or Starlink).
• Fixed Wireless (nbn® or Wireless Internet Service Providers – WISPs).
• Fibre (less common, but available in some areas).

To find out more about Small Business internet options visit our dedicated webpage.

This connection usually enters through your house, office, or a central building. But having internet to the house isn’t always enough – you also need strong, reliable signal throughout the building.

Many rural homes struggle with poor Wi-Fi indoors due to thick walls, long layouts, or old wiring. That’s why this layer also includes the equipment that spreads signal within the home, such as:

• good-quality Wi-Fi routers placed centrally  and if older than 5 years old it is a good idea to replace them.
• mesh Wi-Fi systems to cover large houses or multi-stories.
• Wi-Fi boosters or range extenders for “dead zones” like outside offices.

Getting this layer right ensures your phones, laptops, smart TVs, and even homebased farm apps work reliably – before you even think about sending internet across the paddock.

“From the house to the shed – making sure the signal gets to where you work.”

Once the internet arrives at your house or office (Layer 1), the next step is to get it to the places where you actually work. On many farms, sheds, workshops, cattle yards, shearing sheds, or staff quarters are separate from the main house. Without
extending your signal, these areas often remain “dead zones.”

There are a few ways to extend your connection:

Directional Wi-Fi links (point-to-point): These use small antennas to send a strong signal in a straight line from your house to another building. They’re one of the most common and reliable ways to connect sheds and outbuildings.

Mesh Wi-Fi systems: A series of devices placed around the farmstead that work together to create seamless coverage. This is useful for covering multiple smaller buildings close to the house.

Farm Wi-Fi towers or repeaters: For larger areas, some operations install towers that push Wi-Fi over greater distances, creating a broader coverage zone around the house.

Mobile repeaters (CEL-FI): Where 4G/5G mobile coverage exists, these can improve
mobile reception and provide internet access in nearby work areas.

Above is an example of Wi-Fi bridges and Mesh systems spreading coverage across a farm.

Extending the signal creates a usable network across the “nerve centres” of your farm operation – the places where staff spend time, equipment is stored, and day-today work happens. This makes it possible to use connected tools (tablets, phones, cloud-based software, and even cameras) where they’re most needed.

“For devices that are far away but don’t use much data.”

Not every part of a farm needs high-speed internet – but many areas still need to be monitored. This is where long-range, low-power networks come in. The most common type is LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network), with LoRaWAN, NB-IOT and Cat-M1 being the most widely used systems in agriculture.

These networks are designed to send small amounts of data over long distances (think kilometres not metres) while using very little power. That makes them ideal for sensors and monitors that need to last months or even years on a single battery.

Common uses include:

• Water monitoring: Tank and trough sensors that send alerts when levels drop.
• Soil probes: Measuring soil moisture, salinity, or temperature in paddocks.
• Weather stations: Collecting on-farm data that’s more accurate than regional forecasts.

This layer is about coverage, not speed. It won’t let you browse the web or stream video, but it enables smart farming by bringing in data from across the property without needing full Wi-Fi or mobile coverage everywhere.

Above is an example of LoRaWAN network spreading coverage further across a farm.

For more information these networks and the types available – download our fact sheet.

“When you’re not in the back paddock – but still want eyes on it.”

Even with good Wi-Fi, mesh systems, or long-range farm networks, there are often parts of a property that remain too far away, too rugged, or simply uneconomical to connect using traditional infrastructure. This is where remote satellite networks play a role.

Unlike your main internet satellite (Layer 1), these are low-data, device-level connections. They don’t need a house connection or farm gateway – instead, they connect directly to satellites orbiting the Earth.

Typical uses include:

• Remote water monitoring: Tank or bore monitors in distant paddocks that can’t connect via LoRaWAN.
• Vehicle and machinery tracking: Knowing the location of equipment across large properties.
• Worker safety devices: Personal locator beacons (PLBs), duress alarms, and wearables that send SOS messages from anywhere on the farm, even in blackspots.
• Environmental monitoring: Sensors in remote corners of the property (e.g. for fire risk, pasture growth, or biodiversity monitoring).

Because these systems are often low-bandwidth, they’re not suitable for internet browsing or streaming. But they’re incredibly reliable for critical tasks – making sure water is flowing, machinery is safe, and workers can raise an alarm in an emergency.

Remote satellite networks are often the final piece of the puzzle in a layered farm connectivity setup, ensuring even the most isolated parts of your property aren’t left in the dark.

We have a variety of resources available that focus on topics surrounding agriculture connectivity and technologies. These resources have been developed in-house or by leading industry experts.

• • Factsheets and useful guides
    • Agri-4.0-connectivity-digital-innovation-australia
    • Building A Farm Connectivity Plan
    • Picking the right agritech solution
    • A farmers guide to on-farm connectivity equipment
    • Environmental equipment guide
    • Farm management equipment
  • Examples of use of technology on farm
    • Use-case-1_Longline-Fishing
    • Use-case-3_Walnut-Farm
    • Use-case-4_Marketing-Manager
    • Use-case-5_Oyster-Farmer
  • Recommended website links
    • AgTech Finder – An independent marketplace helping Australian farmers and producers search, sort, and compare AgTech solutions. An initiative of Food Agility CRC.
    • Farms of the Future Program – A NSW DPI initiative providing training and resources on agtech adoption.
    • Australian AgriTech Association – national body representing the agtech industry and have created an ecosystem map.

The Australian Government has announced a third (3) round of grant funding for the On Farm Connectivity Program. A total of $20 million will be available for Round 3, with applications opening later in 2025, with grant funding to be delivered in 2025-26.

Following the announcement of Round 3 of the Program, the department has commenced consultation with a wide range of key stakeholders. Such consultations will inform the drafting of a discussion paper relating to the design of Round 3. The discussion paper will enable wider industry and stakeholder engagement through a public consultation process.

Given the feedback received on the Program since 2023, it is likely that Round 3 will see several design changes. Therefore, the List of Eligible Equipment, and prior rounds’ Grant Opportunity Guidelines should not be used as a reference point for Round 3.

At this stage, rebates for Round 3 are more likely to proceed towards the end of the 2025 calendar year.

How to Keep Informed

Primary producers and suppliers who wish to be included on the department’s email list to receive updates or information about consultation for Round 3, should send an email to OFCP@infrastructure.gov.au.

Advice for Previous Approved Suppliers

Businesses previously on a List of Approved Suppliers are requested to remove all references to OFCP Rounds 1 and 2 from their websites, social media and all other electronic and printed media including pamphlets and flyers.

To read the media release in full, click here.

17/07/25 – Public consultation on Round 3 is now open. The Australian Government’s department has released a Discussion Paper which outlines proposed changes to the Program.

The Discussion Paper and information about how you can have your say on the changes can be found on the Have Your Say page.

Public consultation is open until 5PM AEST Tuesday, 26 August 2025.

*All correspondence needs to be directed to the department using the above link.

Producers can utilise the Regional Tech Hub’s 1:1 communication channels to ask questions and seek expert advice. You can get in touch by contacting our 1800 hotline, or fill out a simple form and we will get back to you with more information.

The Australian Government’s On Farm Connectivity Program page provides the latest information on rebate program.