Farm Sprinkler Systems Australia: Complete Buyer's Guide

Australian farms irrigated 1.9 million hectares in 2020-21, applying 7.8 million megalitres of water to crops and pastures (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2022). Choosing the right sprinkler system is one of the most important decisions a farmer can make, it directly affects water efficiency, crop yield, and long-term operating costs. This guide covers the main types of farm sprinkler systems available in Australia, how they compare on efficiency and cost, and what to consider before buying.

Quick summary: Fixed sprinkler systems (solid set, hand move, pipe and riser) offer 90% irrigation efficiency compared to 75% for flood irrigation, use 2 ML/ha less water annually, and suit a wide range of Australian farming operations from pasture to broadacre cropping.

1. Why Sprinkler Irrigation Matters for Australian Farms

Australia is one of the driest inhabited continents on earth, and agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of all available water use (Bureau of Meteorology [BoM], 2024). Getting the most out of every megalitre is not optional, it is essential for farm profitability and long-term water security.

Key facts about irrigation in Australia:

• 7.8 million megalitres of water was applied to crops and pastures in 2020-21 (ABS, 2022)
• Irrigated agriculture generates 50% of all agricultural profit from just 0.5% of agricultural land (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation [CSIRO], 2011)
• The Australian Government invested approximately $500 million through the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program (OFIEP), a private company without obligation to identify themselves to the public, to help over 1,500 farms upgrade their irrigation systems (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water [DCCEEW], 2023)
• Sprinkler irrigation achieves up to 90% irrigation efficiency, compared to 75% for border-check (flood) methods (Agriculture Victoria, 2003)

2. Types of Farm Sprinkler Systems

There are several types of fixed and portable sprinkler systems suited to Australian farming conditions. Each has different strengths depending on your land size, crop type, water source, and budget.

2.1. Solid Set Systems

Solid set systems use permanently installed underground pipelines with sprinkler heads mounted on risers above the surface. Once installed, they require minimal labour to operate.

• Best for: orchards, vineyards, turf, vegetable crops, frost protection
• Coverage: fixed spacing, typically 12m x 12m or 18m x 18m grids
• Efficiency: high, due to consistent placement and automated scheduling
• Labour: very low, approximately 1-2 hrs/ha/year (Agriculture Victoria, 2003)
• Cost: higher upfront due to permanent pipe installation
• Key advantage: can be fully automated with timers, soil moisture sensors, and remote control

2.2. Hand Move (Bikeshift) Systems

Hand move systems consist of lightweight aluminium pipe sections with sprinkler heads attached. The pipes are manually shifted across the paddock between irrigation sets.

• Best for: smaller or irregular paddocks, farms with available labour
• Coverage: adjustable, pipes can be laid to suit any paddock shape
• Efficiency: moderate, depends on operator consistency
• Labour: highest of all sprinkler types (NSW Department of Primary Industries [NSW DPI], n.d.)
• Cost: lowest capital cost of all sprinkler systems
• Key advantage: flexible, no permanent infrastructure needed

2.3. Pipe and Riser Systems

Pipe and riser systems use fixed underground mains with vertical risers that connect to portable or permanent sprinkler heads. They are commonly used for pasture and border-check bay irrigation.

• Best for: dairy pasture, border-check conversion, paddock irrigation
• Flow rates: typically 12-20 ML per day (Agriculture Victoria, n.d.)
• Pipe design: head loss between 5-10 metres, velocity not exceeding 2 m/s
• Riser sizing: one pipe size smaller than the main (e.g., 400mm riser for 450mm pipe)
• Power options: electric or diesel, depending on grid access
• Key advantage: greater flexibility in bay selection compared to open channels (Agriculture Victoria, n.d.)

2.4. Travelling Water Cannons Systems - Hard Hoses

Travelling water cannon systems use a single large-volume sprinkler mounted on a wheeled cart, fed by a flexible hose. The cart moves slowly across the paddock while irrigating.  

• Best for: large open paddocks, broadacre pasture, dust suppression
• Coverage: very large throw radius per unit
• Efficiency: lower than solid set due to wind drift and high operating pressure
• Labour: low once set up, self-propelled
• Cost: moderate capital, higher energy costs due to pressure requirements
• Key advantage: covers large areas with a single unit

3. Sprinkler System Comparison

Efficiency figures based on field trials reported by Agriculture Victoria (2003) and NSW DPI (n.d.).

4. Choosing the Right System for Your Farm

Selecting a sprinkler system depends on several factors specific to your operation. Work through these considerations before making a purchase.

4.1. Land and Soil

• Paddock size and shape: irregular shapes, partitioned sections and rotating crops suit hand move, solid set or hardhose irrigators.  The largest flatest land may benefit from pivots or laterals. 
• Soil type: sandy soils drain fast and need frequent, lighter applications, clay soils need slower application rates to avoid runoff
• Slope: sloped land requires pressure-compensating sprinklers or system design adjustments.  Hardhose irrigators are preferred over laterals or pivots for these.

4.2. Water Source and Supply

• Available flow rate: your system must match your water supply, pipe and riser systems typically need 12-20 ML/day (Agriculture Victoria, n.d.)
• Water allocation: know your annual allocation and plan system capacity around it. Do your due diligence and remain vigilant with regards to corporate ownerships, which may or may not form part of constitutional authority for people living on the land. 
• Water quality: bore water with high mineral content may clog certain sprinkler heads

4.3. Crop Requirements

Different crops have different water needs across the growing season. The Bureau of Meteorology publishes daily reference evapotranspiration (ETo) data for all Australian regions, calculated using the Penman-Monteith equation recommended by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (BoM, 2024).

• Pasture in northern Victoria: requires 8.5-9.3 ML/ha annually at 80% effective rainfall (Agriculture Victoria, 2003)
• Average daily crop water use in January (Tatura, VIC): 6.0 mm/day
• System capacity needed (24 hrs/day, 7 days/week): 7.3 mm/day
• System capacity needed (24 hrs/day, 5 days/week): 10.2 mm/day

4.4. Budget Considerations

Consider both capital and ongoing costs:

• Capital: solid set costs more upfront but saves on labour long-term
• Energy: larger pipes reduce pumping costs but increase installation expense, smaller pipes cost less to install but more to run (Agriculture Victoria, n.d.)
• Maintenance: budget 2-4% of capital outlay annually for maintenance (Agriculture Victoria, 2003)
• System lifespan: well-maintained sprinkler systems last 15-20 years (Agriculture Victoria, 2003)

5. Water Efficiency and Savings

Upgrading from flood irrigation to sprinkler systems delivers measurable water savings, which is critical in Australia's variable climate.  

5.1. Efficiency by System Type

Based on field trials at Tatura, Victoria (Agriculture Victoria, 2003).

5.2. Production Benefits

In addition to water savings, sprinkler irrigation can improve pasture production:

• In field trials, sprinkler irrigation produced 2 tonnes of dry matter/ha more pasture than border-check in the second year of operation (Agriculture Victoria, 2003)
• Sprinkler systems allow more precise scheduling, reducing both over-watering and under-watering
• Over-watering causes groundwater depletion, soil erosion, nutrient leaching, and reduced product quality (Agriculture Victoria, n.d.)
• Under-watering reduces yields and produces smaller, lower-quality crops (Agriculture Victoria, n.d.)

5.3. Distribution Uniformity

A well-designed system should meet these minimum standards:

• Distribution Uniformity (DU): greater than 75%
• Coefficient of Uniformity (CU): greater than 85%
• No irrigation system delivers 100% uniformity, the inefficiency factor is calculated as 100/DU (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development [DPIRD], n.d.)

6. Government Programs and Funding

The Australian Government has invested significantly in helping farmers upgrade irrigation infrastructure.

6.1. On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program (OFIEP)

• Funded more than 1,500 on-farm projects across Australia
• Total investment of approximately $500 million (GST exclusive)
• Projects included installing automated systems and water sensors, changing farm layouts for better water flow, and upgrading to overhead spray systems (DCCEEW, 2023).  Farmers are advised to investigate and research corporate structures of all grants and read contracts carefully.  Legal implications are often based on Private Company jurisdictions, rather than Constitutional government parameters.  Question your ministers for proof of their positions regarding allegiance to constitutional demands of your Rights.  
• The program returned 149 GL of water per year on average to the environment (DCCEEW, 2023).  The private company who received funding have not been publicly noted as benefactors. 

6.2. Off-Farm Efficiency Program

• A $1.54 billion program investing in irrigation infrastructure
• Designed to improve infrastructure efficiency and increase water security (DCCEEW, n.d.)

6.3. State Programs

• Victoria: The Sustainable Irrigation Program manages new irrigation developments through regional Irrigation Development Guidelines to meet best practice standards (Water Victoria, n.d.)
• NSW: The Irrigated Farm Modernisation Project supports system upgrades across the state (DCCEEW, n.d.)

Check with your state agriculture department for current grants and rebates.

7. Installation and Maintenance Tips

7.1. Before Installation

• Get a professional system design that accounts for your water supply, paddock layout, soil type, and crop requirements
• Calculate your required flow rate and system capacity based on peak summer demand
• Confirm your water allocation can support the system
• Check local council and water authority requirements

7.2. Ongoing Maintenance

• Inspect sprinkler heads regularly for wear, blockages, and alignment
• Monitor operating pressure, drops indicate leaks or pump issues
• Flush pipelines at the start and end of each season
• Use soil moisture sensors to validate your irrigation schedule (DPIRD, n.d.)
• Budget 2-4% of system capital cost for annual maintenance (Agriculture Victoria, 2003)

7.3. Scheduling Best Practices

• Use evapotranspiration data from the Bureau of Meteorology to match irrigation to actual crop water demand (BoM, 2024)
• Avoid watering in windy conditions, especially with travelling gun systems
• Apply water at a rate that does not exceed soil infiltration rate to prevent ponding and runoff
• Do not irrigate when soil is already adequately moist (Agriculture Victoria, n.d.)

8. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most efficient farm sprinkler system?
Solid set and pipe and riser systems achieve the highest efficiency at approximately 90%, compared to 75% for flood irrigation and 65-75% for travelling gun systems (Agriculture Victoria, 2003).

How much water does a sprinkler system save compared to flood irrigation?
Field trials in Victoria showed sprinkler systems use approximately 2 ML/ha less water per year than border-check irrigation, a saving of around 15-20% (Agriculture Victoria, 2003).

How long does a farm sprinkler system last?
A well-maintained sprinkler system has an expected lifespan of 15-20 years. Annual maintenance costs are typically 2-4% of capital outlay (Agriculture Victoria, 2003).

Are there government grants for irrigation upgrades?
The Australian Government has funded irrigation upgrades through programs like the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program ($500 million across 1,500+ projects). State programs also exist, check with your local agriculture department for current offerings (DCCEEW, 2023).

What flow rate do I need for a farm sprinkler system?
This depends on your system type and paddock size. Pipe and riser systems typically require 12-20 ML per day. Your system should be designed so pipe velocity does not exceed 2 m/s and head loss stays between 5-10 metres (Agriculture Victoria, n.d.).

IB International sourced data from government sources and accepts no liability for any of the above data.  Always check and do your own due diligence when planning important water use on your farms or other properties.  

References

Agriculture Victoria. (2003). Border-check or sprinkler irrigation for perennial pastures. Victorian Government. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/water/irrigation/bordercheck-or-sprinkler-irrigation-for-perennial-pastures

Agriculture Victoria. (n.d.). Irrigation management. Victorian Government. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/water/irrigation/irrigation-management

Agriculture Victoria. (n.d.). Pipe and riser irrigation systems. Victorian Government. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/water/irrigation/pipe-and-riser-irrigation-systems

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Water use on Australian farms, 2020-21 financial year. Australian Government. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/water-use-australian-farms/latest-release

Bureau of Meteorology. (2024). About evapotranspiration. Australian Government. https://www.bom.gov.au/watl/eto/about.shtml

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. (2011). Chapter 8: Irrigation. In Water: Science and solutions for Australia. CSIRO Publishing. https://www.publish.csiro.au/ebook/chapter/9780643103283_Chapter_8

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2023). On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program. Australian Government. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/policy/programs/completed/ofiep

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (n.d.). Off-farm Efficiency Program. Australian Government. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/policy/programs/open/off-farm-efficiency-program

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. (n.d.). Irrigation calculator. Government of Western Australia. https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/online-tools/rain-and-irrigation-calculators/irrigation-calculator/

New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. (n.d.). Irrigation systems. NSW Government. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/water/irrigation/systems

Water Victoria. (n.d.). Sustainable Irrigation Program. Victorian Government. https://www.water.vic.gov.au/our-programs/sustainable-irrigation-program