Please note

public notices will no longer be published in The Age. All notices will be available on the Victorian Public Notices website at https://www.vic.gov.au/public-notices

public notices will no longer be published in The Age. All notices will be available on the Victorian Public Notices website at https://www.vic.gov.au/public-notices

Heritage Act 2017

Learn how the Act protects Victoria's cultural heritage.

  • Regulatory guidance
Aerial view of St Kilda Pier extending into the bay, with the pier kiosk at the end and small boats moored in the surrounding water.

Purpose

Heritage Act 2017 aims to protect and conserve Victoria’s cultural heritage. It replaced the Heritage Act 1995 and earlier acts.  

Under the Act, cultural heritage means places and objects of: 

  • cultural heritage significance 

  • state-level cultural heritage significance.  

A place or object has cultural heritage significance if it has aesthetic, archaeological, architectural, cultural, historical, scientific or social value.   

The Act does not include places or objects associated solely with Aboriginal tradition. These places are protected by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. 

Go to the Heritage Act 2017

Heritage protected by the Heritage Act 2017

Interior view of a large hall with tall windows, a timber ceiling, and a wall‑mounted pipe organ.
Brick building entrance with tall windows and a recessed doorway.

Key changes to the Act in 2024

Changes to the Act were introduced from 1 February 2024. These changes relate to:  

  • online access to hearings and documents 

  • exclusion determination reviews 

  • general amendments to statutory processes. 

Our role under the Act

The Heritage Council of Victoria was established as an independent body under the Heritage Act 2017 to make state-level heritage decisions in Victoria.   

Learn about what we do

Stay up-to-date with the latest decisions, events and news