Heritage listings

The ACT is rich in natural and cultural heritage. Although our city is young, we have many heritage places and objects, including:

• Aboriginal
• rural
• historic
• Canberra icons.

The ACT Heritage Council (the Council) and ACT Heritage work to recognise, protect, conserve and celebrate these places and objects.

About the Heritage Register

The ACT Heritage Register (the Register) lists places and objects that are significant to the story of the ACT. You can search the register to learn more or find out what heritage places are near to you.

You can also explore heritage information on ACTmapi.

Please note that this information might not always be up to date. Please contact ACT Heritage to confirm full registration status and details.

First Nations consideration

The Council understands that the Register may not consider First Nations stories and values. It's working with Representative Aboriginal Organisations for help. This aims to find respectful ways to recognise the history of First Nations peoples and the impact of colonisation. The feedback will help propose new, and update existing entries on the Register.

What heritage listing means

If a place or object is on the Heritage Register, it:

• is important to the ACT's heritage and helps us understand our history and identity
• is protected under the Heritage Act 2004
• needs the Council to advise on building work at or near the place or object to make sure it's protected
• can receive free building and architectural advice
• can receive financial support from the ACT Heritage Grants Program.

The Council will advise if any works or development affect a place's heritage status. This is usually through a development application process with ACT Planning.

Heritage criteria

The Council uses specific criteria to decide what is listed on the Register.

A place or object must meet at least one of the heritage criteria contained within the Heritage Assessment Policy [PDF 1.3 MB] to be listed. It must be one of the following:

• Be important for shaping the ACT's cultural or natural history.
• Include rare or endangered aspects of the ACT’s cultural or natural history.
• Share information to help us learn about the ACT’s cultural or natural history.
• Have key characteristics of a cultural or natural place or object.
• Have specific aesthetic qualities valued by the ACT community or a cultural group in the ACT.
• Represent a creative or technical achievement for a specific time.
• Hold strong social, cultural or spiritual connection with the ACT community or a cultural group.
• Have a special connection with the life or work of individuals important to ACT history.

More information

Find information about heritage nomination, registration, and implications.

Contact