Dr Said Al-Sarawi, senior researcher at the University of Adelaide, explained that the temperature and humidity sensor could be powered by solar energy, making running costs low.
He described how the item, which could be used in any place where mobile phone coverage exists, uses a series of sensors connected to a microcircuit that is capable of interface with a GPS receiver.
Dr Al-Sarawi commented: "An alarm message would be transmitted to a mobile phone or SMS server and would be a fully automated process, without having to rely on people."
The technology is described by researchers in two reports published in the International Journal of Computer Aided Engineering and Technology this month.
This week, the University if Adelaide announced that it has been awarded $68.8 million (£38.4 million) by the Australian government for multiple research projects.
