New rural property owners
Advice for new landholders on moving to a rural and regional community, including what to expect, what Local Land Services can do for you, and key tips and contacts.
What to do after buying a rural property
Moving to a new community offers exciting opportunities.
Local Land Services encourages landholders to tap into their local community to support the rural transition, familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and better understand your land.
All landholders have an important role to play in contributing to local communities and managing the rural landscape.
There are a number of key things to familiarise yourself with as a rural property owner to ensure you get the most out of your land.
Find out what Local Land Services can do for you
Local Land Services (LLS) connects landholders with groups, information, support and grants to improve agricultural productivity and better manage natural resources into the future.
On-ground staff can support you with agricultural production advice, biosecurity, natural resource management and emergency management, among other essential aspects of rural living.
For hobby farmers, small-scale professional farmers or owners of rural lifestyle properties, Local Land Services offers free support and advice via workshops, field days, webinars and podcasts to help you:
- understand the importance of your property for local native plants and animals
- learn best practice animal husbandry
- get local advice on growing crops or productive pastures
- explore options for managing the private native forests on your land
- learn about pest animal management and weed control
- know how to improve your waterways and soil health
- participate in local and regional projects for revegetation or habitat restoration.
Find out what's happening in your region
Each Local Land Services region has a regular newsletter and Facebook page to keep landholders up to date with seasonal advice.
Subscribe and follow your local page to be the first to hear about upcoming events, projects and funding, and important news.
Find your LLS region
Bookmark your regional page and follow Local Land Services on Facebook.
Sign up to your newsletter
Subscribe to your regional or special interest newsletter to stay up to date.
Come along to a local event
LLS runs regular events on a range of farm and property management topics.
Understand your responsibilities
Rural landholders have a number of key obligations to manage their land, regardless of whether or not the property will run livestock.
There are a range of tools and services that you can access to help you plan for rural living.
Key terms: Refer to the rural living glossary for definitions and key terms.
Update your details with Local Land Services
Keep your contact details up to date with Local Land Services.
This ensures Local Land Services can contact you during a biosecurity emergency and better support your agricultural business or other landholder needs.
Use the online form to update your details or call to speak to a customer service officer.
Rates and your Annual Farm Return
Annual Land and Stock Return (ALSR)
Rural landholders are required to lodge an Annual Land and Stock return (or Farm Return) by 31 August each year, regardless of whether you have livestock.
This farm census provides Local Land Services with important information for emergency animal or plant disease outbreak management, as outlined in the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Local Land Services Rates
Most rural landholders are required to pay rates, as governed by Local Land Services Act 2013 and Local Land Services Regulation 2014.
Local Land Services rates are different to council rates.
Local Land Services rates allow LLS to provide biosecurity support to landholders and maintain market access for producers.
Rates notices are issued in the first quarter of the year (generally in February or March). Local Land Services payment terms are 30 days after the issue date.
Council rates cover the costs of services provided by the local council, such as road maintenance, environmental planning, waste management, and public health. The council determines the category for each property. The value of land serves as the basis for calculating rates and is assessed by the Valuer General.
If you intend to own livestock
Whether you are buying, selling, transporting, or tagging your livestock, there are important legal and animal welfare requirements.
Property Identification Code (PIC)
A PIC is a unique identifier for land and is assigned by Local Land Services to record livestock movements and other biosecurity purposes. All properties with livestock must have a PIC.
Moving and selling livestock
Get practical advice on traceability, permits, and the required documentation when selling or moving livestock.
The National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) is Australia’s scheme for identifying and tracing livestock. The NLIS protects Australia's reputation and access to export markets and allows us to respond quickly to major food safety or disease incidents.
Managing your livestock
Whether you're running a small herd or a large-scale operation, managing livestock involves more than just day-to-day care. Local Land Services district veterinarians can assist you with advice on livestock health and improving production.
If you won't be living full time at your property
As an absentee landholder, it's your duty to protect your property's environment and prevent damage to your land and neighbouring properties.
Increasingly, it is common for rural properties not to have permanent residents. Properties may have been purchased for lifestyle reasons and can be left vacant for long periods of time. This exposes the property and surrounding areas to issues like weed and pest control, fence maintenance, wastewater system failure, fuel buildup, and decreased livestock care.
To mitigate these issues, absentee owners should:
- regularly visit the property
- arrange contracts with farm contractors or managers
- collaborate with neighbouring landholders for property maintenance in exchange for agistment rights.
Learn about pests and biosecurity
Local Land Services has a number of resources including free information and advice to help you keep on top of biosecurity and managing your land.
General biosecurity duty
We can only successfully manage biosecurity when every person plays a part. Find out how to meet your General Biosecurity Duty to prevent the introduction and spread of pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants.
Learn how to make a biosecurity plan that suits your property.
Pest animal control
As a landholder, it's your duty to manage pest animals on your land and stop new ones from establishing. Pest animals cause significant damage to the environment and agricultural production.
Learn how to identify, monitor, report and get help controlling vertebrate pests.
Sign up for a free VPIT course, take part in group programs, and find out what support is available.
Weeds and plant diseases
It's important to know how to identify weeds, insect pests and plant diseases that may be a problem in your area.
Learn how to stop the spread of weeds with good farm hygiene, safe practices when transporting hay and fodder, and using the WeedWise app to identify weeds.
Make your farm safe
Moving to a new rural property is a wonderful opportunity for families, but rural properties can be dangerous places to live and work.
Potential hazards are associated with vehicles, quad bikes, farm dams, chemicals as well as working at heights and manual handling risks.
New and part-time farmers face heightened injury risks due to limited skills and equipment compared to full-time counterparts.
Make sure your new farm is safe for your family. Learn more about the safe use of quad bikes, farm chemical management, and being prepared for emergencies.
Be prepared for emergencies
Having a plan for your family and livestock in case of flood or bushfire is essential. Rural property owners face unique challenges including isolation, limited access to essential or emergency services, and additional maintenance to reduce risks.
One of the first things you should do after purchasing a rural property is identify risks and make a clear plan for how your family will respond in the case of an emergency.
Make the most of your land
Whether you are buying a lifestyle block or a productive farm, learn how to improve the condition of your property to maximise your enjoyment.
Making the most of your new rural property includes ensuring its long-term sustainability, improving infrastructure, managing your natural assets, and possibly making a financial return.
Manage your natural resources
Good natural resource management practices will build resilience to climate variability and safeguard our landscapes and natural assets for future generations.
Local Land Services has advice and resources to help you improve biodiversity, manage waterways and dams on your property, control erosion, improve your soil, and plan a revegetation project.
Learn about natural resource management
Farm Forestry
If you are considering managing your private native forests to improve the biodiversity, productivity, health and profitability of your farm, the LLS Farm Forestry team can help.
Get advice on managing your forest, sustainable harvesting, and private native forestry (PNF) plans.
If you have recently purchased a property, you will need to wait for title records to be updated before applying for a PNF plan (landholder details on your application must match title records).
Manage native vegetation
Native vegetation clearing must be done according to the Land Management Code. There are a range of land management activities you can do to improve biodiversity and agricultural production either as allowable activities or with a certificate.
Find tools to help you manage native vegetation on your property.
Upskill yourself in farm management
As a new landholder, take every opportunity to upskill and learn about your landholder responsibilities. Local Land Services and partner organisations offer free and regular education and training on a range of topics.
You can also:
- build a resilient farm business for the future with Farm Business Resilience Program
- receive agricultural training with colleges like Tocal College, part of NSW DPIRD
- enhance business skills for young farmers with The Young Farmer Business program
- access vocational training with TAFE NSW
- engage with community with your nearest Landcare group.
Developments and improvements
Diversification of rural land is becoming increasingly common. If you are considering developments or improvements on your property, you must contact the relevant organisations to ensure adequate planning.
The role of your local council
Councils, in consultation with government agencies and communities, determine land use zones. Rigorous procedures evaluate land before approving land use changes.
Upon purchasing a rural property, enquire with local council about current and potential land uses. Access to development applications is a right, allowing for submission of concerns regarding advertised applications.
Though your property may be in a rural area, adjacent land subdivision could alter your rural outlook. Property usage details and development restrictions are provided in the Section 10.7 Certificate, required by the Conveyancing Act 1919 for land sale contracts. Contact your local council to apply for this certificate.
Development applications
A local council development application is required for building, demolition, subdivision, and other activities requiring consent under the Local Environmental Plans. Depending on your land zoning, council consent may be needed for activities like stock keeping.
Development applications allow councils to assess plans, inspect properties, and ensure proposals align with environmental standards. Contact your council early in the process to ensure documentation meets their standards and to avoid potential delays.
Exempt development
Minor developments may be exempt from council approval if they meet specific criteria. Examples include:
- garden sheds
- rainwater tanks
- solar hot-water systems
- solar panels
- building alterations
- driveways, pathways, paving, and carports.
Complying development
Planning and construction approval for straightforward projects can be determined by either your local council or an accredited certifier. Examples of proposals that may qualify for complying development include:
- new houses, alterations and additions to existing houses, carports and garages,
- swimming pools
- industrial and commercial use changes or internal alterations
- building granny flats or secondary dwellings
- strata subdivision
- fences
- building demolitions
You can contact your local council to review your area’s Local Environmental Plan or Development Control Plan at Office of Local Government or explore planning regulations and Regional Plans on the NSW Planning Portal.
Caring for cultural heritage
When moving to a new rural property, you may find items or places of significant cultural heritage that reflect how people have lived in the past. This might include Aboriginal objects and places, or items related to European settlement in your region.
You have a legal responsibility to ensure Aboriginal objects and places are not harmed. To help preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage, always do an assessment before you begin building new infrastructure or changing land use on your new property. This might include environmental rehabilitation work, building a new dam, or other activities.
You need to assess the likelihood of your activities damaging or moving objects or places of Aboriginal cultural heritage. There is a 'Due diligence checklist' to guide you.
Support is also available to help you identify, document, and protect these important objects and places.
Find out what's happening in your region
Get the latest news, seasonal advice, and project updates or be the first to hear about upcoming events.
- Subscribe to your regional newsletter.
- Follow Local Land Services on Facebook.
- View our events page to see what's happening near you.
Contact Local Land Services NSW
We welcome your enquiries, feedback and comments. Contact our team
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