We maintain a list of all known historical archaeology sites in Victoria called the Victorian Heritage Inventory, commonly known as the Heritage Inventory (HI).
It includes information about sites and artefacts, including a description and assessment of significance.
This is an important resource for heritage researchers, consultant archaeologists, local government authorities, government agencies, developers and students.
The Heritage Inventory, which lists over 5000 sites, can be searched via the Victorian Heritage Database or by appointment at Heritage Victoria.
All non-Indigenous archaeological sites in Victoria older than 50 years are protected under the Heritage Act, whether or not they are recorded by us.
For example, if a site is uncovered in the course of a building project, it is an offence to knowingly damage, disturb or excavate without obtaining the appropriate consent from the Executive Director of the Heritage Victoria.
It is necessary to obtain consent to authorise the disturbance of an historical archaeological site. Consents are only issued to qualified historical archaeologists.
Apply by using the form below accompanied by the correct application fee.
Application for Consent: to carry out works or activities to a place or object on the Victorian Heritage Inventory (Word 678Kb)
Consent application fees (pdf 70kb)
The Heritage Inventory Site card must be used to record the details of identified historical archaeological sites. It may be necessary to search the Heritage Inventory to determine whether a site has previously been recorded. Heritage Victoria will issue Heritage Inventory site numbers on receipt of site cards.
Victorian Heritage Inventory Site Card (Word 764kb)