More than nine in 10 New South Wales farmers have experienced crime on their properties, and nearly one in three report being targeted seven or more times, according to new data released by WFI Insurance and the University of New England (UNE) Centre for Rural Criminology.
The figures, drawn from UNE’s National Rural Crime Survey and supported by WFI’s claims data, indicate an ongoing pattern of victimisation on farms and a gap between farmers’ experiences and what is formally reported to police or insurers.
The UNE survey results show that 90% of NSW farmers have encountered crime on their farms, with about 30% indicating they have been victimised on seven or more occasions. The offences span theft of livestock, vehicles, machinery, fuel, and other farm assets. WFI discussed the findings in a rural crime podcast produced with UNE, which examines risk factors, crime prevention measures, and approaches to managing loss.
WFI Insurance executive general manager Damien Gallagher said the results point to structural challenges for farm businesses, particularly those operating over large or remote properties. “The statistics highlight the significant challenges that farmers face, with criminals taking advantage of properties, livestock, and assets in remote locations which are often difficult to secure and monitor due to the nature and scale of farm work. While the physical losses can cause widespread disruption to farming operations, the psychological impacts can be far longer lasting. We hope that by sharing this important podcast and tips to reduce farm crime, we can help to strengthen security and safety on farms,” Gallagher said.
From an insurance standpoint, WFI’s internal claims data indicates that rural crime-related claims have declined by around 15% since 2020. UNE researchers, however, caution that the apparent improvement does not necessarily reflect what is happening on farms.
UNE Centre for Rural Criminology co-director Dr Kyle Mulrooney said low levels of formal reporting remain a major issue for measuring and managing rural crime. “Reporting of rural crime to police is abysmally low in Australia. The severity of underreporting paints a dire picture of farmers feeling like they have to go it alone. Farmers view it as the cost of doing business. That just shouldn’t be the case. We should help farmers understand and alleviate the reporting limitations, whether that be through smart ear tags for livestock, specialised CCTV, or increased signage,” Mulrooney said.
UNE’s survey identifies livestock theft as the most underreported category, with only about 50% to 60% of incidents estimated to be reported to police. Reasons include limited confidence that authorities can respond effectively and the difficulty of determining when thefts occurred, given that stock may roam across extensive areas and are not always checked daily.
Research referenced by UNE suggests that basic measures such as visible warning signs can influence offender decision-making. “Crime prevention literature shows the overwhelming impact of signage. Do not enter, private property, CCTV in use, has an immense impact on offender psyche,” Mulrooney said.
For insurers and brokers, this reflects growing use of on-farm controls, including smart ear tags for livestock, CCTV systems, and other monitoring technologies. According to research, these measures may deter some incidents and can provide additional information for insurance claims and police investigations. The psychological consequences of repeated incidents are also a concern, with many farmers reporting feelings of vulnerability and isolation and an ongoing preoccupation with the risk of further crime.
WFI’s data points to seasonal and category-specific trends in rural crime-related claims. On average, January records about 14% more crime-related claims than the typical month, with elevated levels also seen in February and March. June has the lowest incidence, with around 27% fewer crime-related claims than January. In terms of asset types, WFI reports that caravan and motorcycle theft rose 80% last year, while passenger vehicle thefts, including utes and four-wheel drives, fell by about 16%. Motor-related crime claims include incidents where vehicles and agricultural machinery have been stripped of engines, fuel, tyres, rims, and GPS units.
For underwriters, claims teams, and intermediaries, the contrast between survey results, police reporting and insurance claims highlights the need to consider unreported incidents when assessing rural crime risk. WFI has advised farmers to meet regularly with their insurance representatives to review policy schedules, confirm that key assets and livestock are listed, and check that limits and coverage reflect current operations. Maintaining up-to-date records of equipment and stock, WFI said, can support claims handling and, where applicable, engagement with law enforcement when incidents occur.
