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.
20 November 2009
$440,000 for historic shipwreck sites
Federal Heritage Minister today announced funding of $439,928 for projects that will protect the nation's underwater cultural heritage. A total of 25 projects across Australia will receive funding under the Historic Shipwrecks Program.
18 November 2009
DEWHA supports the AIMA Shipwreck Photography Competition
To be eligible for entry in the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) 2010 shipwreck photography competition all shipwrecks photographed must be in Australian or New Zealand waters and must meet the criteria for that category: Shipwrecks above water; Shipwrecks underwater with divers; Shipwrecks & nature.
31 July 2009
M24 Japanese midget submarine web site launched by NSW Department of Planning
For over 60 years one of the great Australian wartime and maritime mysteries was the whereabouts of the third and last Japanese midget submarine, which invaded Sydney Harbour on the evening of 31 May 1942.
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.
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Related information
Shipwreck associations
- Australian National Maritime Museum
- Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology
- Devonport Maritime Museum
- Maritime Archaeology Association of Victoria
- Maritime Archaeological Association of Queensland
- Maritime Archaeological Association of WA
- Norfolk Island Museum
- Southern Ocean Exploration
- The Sydney Project