Fossicking and prospecting

A Miner's Right is a permit for prospecting in Victoria and must be carried at all times while you are prospecting. The only exception is if you are part of an organised group prospecting under the authority of a valid Tourist Fossicking Authority. The Mineral Resources Development Act 1990 sets out the rights and obligations of the holder of a Miner's Right.

Minimum impact prospecting

You can enjoy prospecting and help minimise any impact in the following ways:

• Prospect only in the permitted area.
• Only drive your vehicles on tracks and roads open to the public.
• Only park your vehicle on the roadside.
• Take all rubbish home or place it in a bin where provided. Do not bury it.
• Minimise any damage to vegetation including the ground layer.
• Restore the ground as you found it - backfill any holes you dig and replace any leaf litter as it was as soon as practicable.

Heritage Act 2017

Under the terms of the Heritage Act 2017  it is an offence to damage or disturb a place listed on the Victorian Heritage Register unless a Permit has been obtained from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria (or a permit exemption applies).  

You can view details of places included in the Heritage Register on the Victorian Heritage Database website.

The Heritage Act also provides protection for all historical archaeological sites in Victoria, including sites that are not recorded on any statutory registers or listings. It is an offence to disturb any archaeological site, or remove objects (artefacts) from a site.  

Prospectors should be aware that the holding of a Victorian miner’s right allows them to prospect and fossick for gold, gemstones and other minerals in Victoria but does not confer any rights in relation to the requirements of the Heritage Act 2017. Read more about the protection of archaeological sites and objects in Victoria on the Heritage Victoria website.

Aboriginal cultural heritage

Aboriginal cultural heritage is the continuing record of Victoria's Aboriginal societies, who have existed in this land for tens of thousands of years. It is not just a remnant of history. It's alive, and constantly changing and evolving – often expressed through cultural traditions that have been reclaimed and revitalised in a contemporary setting.

Protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage is not just fundamental for Aboriginal peoples' identity and wellbeing. It's also an important part of Victoria's heritage as a whole – our shared story of how we have grown and evolved as a society. Parks Victoria is committed to protecting and preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage across the parks estate in Victoria.

All Aboriginal cultural heritage is protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.) (the Act). If you come across any Aboriginal cultural heritage, Section 24 of the Act requires that the discovery of Aboriginal cultural heritage places or objects be reported to the First Peoples – State Relations as soon as practicable. It is an offence under Section 27 of the Act, to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage and under Section 28 to do an act that harms or is likely to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage. See more information about First Peoples State Relations role and Aboriginal cultural heritage and you can find out more about reporting Aboriginal places or objects.