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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Parks and heritage
  3. Heritage
  4. Underwater cultural heritage
  5. International agreements

Sidebar first - EN - Heritage

  • Underwater cultural heritage
    • Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018
    • Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database
    • Environmental planning advice
    • Famous Australian shipwrecks
    • Protected zones
    • International agreements
    • Possessing, exporting, importing underwater heritage
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    • Visiting underwater heritage sites

International agreements

Australia and the Philippines

On 7 August 2020, the department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Museum of the Philippines. The MoU facilitates collaboration in research in maritime archaeology and underwater cultural heritage management. Under this agreement, the two parties will work together to protect our shared heritage in each country’s waters and to collaborate on other projects. All activities related to the implementation of the MoU are to be conducted in accordance with international best practice outlined in the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and its associated Annex Rules.

Memorandum of understanding between Australia and the Philippines (PDF - 2.24 MB)
Memorandum of understanding between Australia and the Philippines (DOCX - 37.09 KB)

Australia and Papua New Guinea

On 24 October 2019, the department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Papua New Guinea’s Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG). The MoU was entered into for the purpose of collaboration in research in maritime archaeology and underwater cultural heritage management. NMAG and CEPA share legislative responsibilities for protecting underwater cultural heritage in Papua New Guinea’s waters. Under this agreement we will work together to protect Australia’s sovereign vessel HMAS AE1 wrecked in Papua New Guinea’s waters and on other projects. The agreement requires all activities related to the implementation of the MoU to be conducted in accordance with international best practice as outlined in the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and its associated Annex Rules.

Memorandum of understanding between Papua New Guinea and Australia (PDF - 918.59 KB)
Memorandum of understanding between Papua New Guinea and Australia (DOCX - 40.53 KB)

Australia and the Netherlands

On 15 September 2017, the department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands on how our two countries jointly manage and research our shipwrecks, sunken relics and other underwater cultural heritage.

This memorandum supersedes the outdated management arrangements of a 1972 agreement between our two nations on old Dutch shipwrecks in Australian waters. Shipwrecks covered include Zuytdorp (1712), Batavia (1629), Vergulde Draeck (more commonly known as the Gilt Dragon) (1656) and Zeewyk (1727).

Under this memorandum, Australia and the Netherlands will collaborate on research and management of these shipwrecks and any future Old Dutch shipwreck discovered in Australian waters to the benefit of both countries.

The new memorandum supports joint projects and capacity building with the aim of increasing public awareness of the maritime heritage of both countries.

Memorandum of understanding between Australia and the Netherlands (PDF - 680.9 KB)
Memorandum of understanding between Australia and the Netherlands (DOCX - 34.64 KB)

Australia and Indonesia

In 2015 the department and the Australian National Maritime Museum entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian National Center of Archaeology for Collaboration Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage Management. Under this memorandum, we worked together to document the HMAS Perth (I) site located in Indonesian waters in Sunda Strait.

Memorandum of understanding between Australia and Indonesia (PDF - 1.58 MB) ​
Memorandum of understanding between Australia and Indonesia (DOCX - 41.77 KB)

Australia and the USA

In 2010 the Department entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Ocean Service and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The memorandum promotes cooperation in underwater cultural heritage resource management activities, maritime archaeological research, education and resource protection efforts in the Pacific region. This agreement was re-signed in 2014 and is current until 2018.

Memorandum of agreement between Australia and the USA (PDF - 1.99 MB) ​

UNESCO 2001 Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage

The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage entered into force on 2 January 2009. The Commonwealth of Australia is currently considering ratification in accordance with requirements outlined under Australia's Treaty Making Guidelines.

  • More information about UNESCO 2001
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Last updated: 03 October 2021

© Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.