Australians can now nominate sites they would like to see added to the National Heritage List and Commonwealth Heritage List, with submissions now open for the latest round.
There are currently 126 sites across Australia included on the National Heritage List and almost 400 on the Commonwealth Heritage list.
This year, nominations are particularly sought for the places and related stories that have made a fairer, more inclusive Australia.
These could include sites of national significance that contributed to a sense of belonging as Australians. They may be places and related stories that celebrate Australia's democratic traditions, where rights were demanded and won, voices previously unheard were amplified, and places where events took place that have shaped a more inclusive nation.
We are looking for nominations of places linked to:
- the birth and extension of Australian democracy,
- fairness in the workplace or society,
- migration and multicultural inclusion,
- civil rights and social reform campaigns,
- the advancement of rural and regional Australians' interests,
- women's suffrage and gender equality, and
- the struggle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and recognition
Previous themes set to encourage nominations have included the multicultural stories of Australia, Indigenous cultural heritage and Australia's historic benevolent and other care institutions.
Heritage is not just about buildings or landscapes - it's about values, identity and shared history.
Previous nominations that encapsulate this year's theme include Victoria's Eureka Stockade Gardens - commemorating a pivotal uprising that helped shape Australia's democratic traditions and the enduring idea of a 'fair go', and the Victorian Trades Hall, recognised for its outstanding role in advancing workers' rights and its connection to the campaign for the eight‑hour working day.
Other examples include the Northern Territory's Wave Hill Walk‑Off Route, marking the Gurindji people's historic strike and a defining moment in the Aboriginal land rights movement, and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Route which was added to the National Heritage List this year, where protests in 1978 highlighted the inequality experienced by LGBT in Australia.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said the Albanese Government was committed to recognising, protecting and promoting Australia's national heritage.
"Today, I am delighted to open nominations for the inclusion of new places on the National Heritage List and Commonwealth Heritage List," Minster Watt said.
"We want these places to be recognised, protected and enjoyed by all Australians for generations to come.
"They will remind us that Australia's story is not static - it is shaped by courage, debate and progress.
"I'm committed to making sure both lists reflect all Australians, and those places that have come to symbolise what we have done to make it the country it is today, where all Australians feel a sense of pride and belonging.
"Our heritage tells not just one story but many stories - it unites us as communities from across the world who have made Australia home, as First Nations Australians who have cared for this place for tens of thousands of years, and as a nation still growing today and nurturing future generations to safeguard our heritage for tomorrow.
"I encourage the community to consider nominating special places with outstanding heritage value to our nation for inclusion on the National Heritage List."
Nominations are open until 16 October 2026.
