Statutory listing is the way heritage places and objects are identified and managed in New South Wales and throughout the world. Heritage listing:
- recognises and protects places and objects for present and future generations
- provides advance knowledge about the approvals needed to make alterations.
Levels of listings
A World Heritage site recognises the place is of outstanding value to humanity. The listing is designated by UNESCO.
A National Heritage listing recognises places of significance for Australia. The listing is made under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
An Aboriginal Place declaration recognises the special significance of an area in New South Wales to Aboriginal people and their culture. The listing is declared by the Minister for Environment under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
A State Heritage Register listing recognises a place or object has significance for all of New South Wales. The listing is made under the Heritage Act 1977 by the Minister for Heritage at the recommendation of the Heritage Council of NSW.
A local heritage listing recognises the place has significance to the local government area and community. The listing is included in a local environmental plan, made under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Requests for listings
We review requests for:
Check if something is already listed
To find out if a place, building, site, object or other item is heritage listed, search the State Heritage Inventory.
To confirm if a property is listed on the State Heritage Register or subject to an interim heritage order for legal purposes such as conveyancing, apply for a section 167 certificate.
Heritage NSW is responsible for listings on the State Heritage Register and Aboriginal Places. Local councils are responsible for local listings and should be contacted for places and objects that have significance for the local community.