Historic shipwrecks
Australia protects its shipwrecks and their associated relics that are older than 75 years through the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. The Historic Shipwrecks Act applies to Australian waters that extend from the low tide mark to the end of the continental shelf and is administered in collaboration between the Commonwealth and the States, Northern Territory and Norfolk Island. Some Australian shipwreck sites lie within protected or no-entry zones.
The Historic Shipwrecks Act is delivered through the Historic Shipwrecks Program. Its objectives are to research, explore, document and protect Australia's historic shipwreck heritage. Each State or Territory program offers different opportunities for public participation as do maritime archaeological volunteer associations that exist in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
5 June 2009
Review of the Historic Shipwrecks Act and consideration of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts has agreed to a review of the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 and consideration of the requirements arising from the UNESCO 2001 Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
31 May 2009
M-24 Japanese midget submarine declared as historic shipwreck
The Japanese midget submarine M-24, one of the three Japanese Midget Submarines which attacked Sydney Harbour on the night of 31 May 1942, has been declared an historic shipwreck under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.
28 April 2009
Protection for a significant piece of wartime history
The WWII ship Florence D is now protected under the Commonwealth's Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 after its discovery was confirmed in waters off Bathurst Island, following important work by a Territory Government department.
1 April 2009
World War II wreck revealed
Deakin University researchers undertaking a coastal mapping project of Victoria's seafloor have obtained images of the historic shipwreck MV City of Rayville off Cape Otway in Bass Strait. The data captured will help maritime archaeologists at Heritage Victoria to assess the structural integrity of the wreck and provide vital information for future management of the site.