The Commonwealth Heritage listing process

Amendments to the EPBC Act in February 2007 established a more strategic process for listing Commonwealth Heritage Places and introduced an assessment cycle. The assessment cycle will allow priorities and work programs focussing on those places most likely to have Commonwealth Heritage Values to be set.

Anyone can nominate a place with significant heritage values for the Commonwealth Heritage List. Each year the Minister for the Environment (the Minister) may invite nominations.

If you would like to nominate a place you can find more information at Nominating a heritage place nominating a heritage place on the Department's website.

The nominated places are assessed by the Australian Heritage Council against a set criteria and a recommendation made to the Minister. The final decision on listing is made by the Minister.

Nominating a place

The Commonwealth Heritage List’s nomination and assessment process is open and consultative.

Each year, the Minister may invite nominations to the List in accordance with the assessment cycle.

Nominations must set out the qualities or values of the place that make it significant by indicating how the place meets one or more of the Commonwealth heritage significance criteria.

You can request a nomination form by emailing heritage@awe.gov.au.

Or by post:

The Nominations Manager
Heritage Branch
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Assessing nominations

The Australian Heritage Council (the Council) advises the Minister on the nominations that should be included in its assessment work plan for the coming financial year. The Minister sets the work plan, which is known as the Finalised Priority Assessment List (FPAL).

Nominations included on the FPAL are generally assessed within a 12 month period, or over a longer timeframe if suggested by the Council and agreed by the Minister. The Council must invite public comment on the nominations during the assessment period, and consult with owners and occupiers of a place if it is found that it is likely to have heritage values.

The following cycle describes the nomination, assessment and listing process for the Commonwealth Heritage List.

The nomination, assessment and listing process for the Commonwealth Heritage List.