Heritage Register

The National Trust is a community-based, non-government organisation, and as such it has no statutory power. However, if a place becomes threatened, the Trust may campaign and advocate for its protection. Specific campaigns are conducted to save threatened places, to stimulate debate and to raise the level of public and government awareness of the need to conserve our heritage. If a National Trust classified place is under threat, please contact us. We will also advise you to take action, particularly with the local council.

In Victoria, there are a number of other heritage registers, including the Victorian Heritage Register and local Heritage Overlays. For more information about different kinds of heritage listing, click here.

The National Trust’s Victorian Heritage Services Directory has been created to assist the owners and managers of heritage places and objects to search for qualified heritage consultants and contractors across a range of disciplines. 

Some local councils offer grants or loan schemes to support the conservation of heritage places, including a number of funds administered through Victoria’s Heritage Restoration Fund.

Each classified place has an archival file that contains historical material, media articles, photos and sometimes plans. The information held on file will vary and copyright and privacy regulations apply. Please note that the National Trust is a private organization and retains the right to withhold any confidential material.

If you wish to nominate a place to our Heritage Register, please contact one of our Community Advocates on 03 9656 9818 or at conservation@nattrust.com.au for more information.

• International: A place or object that is important in the International context.
• National: A place or object that is important in the context of Australia.
• State: A place or object that is important in the context of Victoria.
• Regional: A place not of State level significance, but more than Local, or relates to a specific region of Victoria, eg. The Western District.
• Local: A place or object that is important in the context of its local area.
• File Only: This means we retain a file on the place, but it is not officially classified. It may be classified in future, or it may remain as a record only.
• Demolished: The place has been either totally or substantially destroyed however a file is still retained.

You can access the archival file by arranging an appointment with one of our Community Advocates on 03 9656 9818 or at conservation@nattrust.com.au. There is a cost for all file searches, the total of which will be dependent on the nature of the research being undertaken (commercial, government, private, student). If you or your organization is a National Trust Member you can view files free of charge.  You can find out more about the benefits of becoming a member on the membership page.