Fossicking & Miners rights licence
Click on the 3rd party links below to take you to the respective state government website to purchase you license.
 Victoria
PRIVATE LAND
If you have ever wanted to work on Private land you need to obtain approval from the Landowner. We have made it easy for you.
Have you ever driven past a private property and looked at your maps and see there is a creek and possibly gold bearing ground and thought I wish i could prospect there. Attached below is a “Generic Request for Landowner Consent to Prospect / Fossick”.
Fill one out and leave it in their letter box. You will either get no response at all, a NO or a YES.
If the property owner respondes with a yes, complete an “Generic Approved Landowner Consent form” (print a copy of you and a copy for the owner)
This way both you the prospector and the owner are covered.
Just remember, Fill your hole and take your rubbish with you. If you do it right the first time the owner may allow you to come back again.
Queensland Fossicking Licence
To obtain a Queensland Fossickers licence, please click the button to the left to open the Queensland Areas Facilities permit application
New South Wales Fossicking Licence
To obtain a New South Wales Fossickers Licence, please click the button to the left to open the NSW State Forest permit application
Victoria Miners Right
To obtain a Victorian Miners Right, please click the button to the left open the Victorian Earth Resources permit application
South Australia Fossicking Licence
To obtain a South Australia Fossickers Licence, please click the button to the left to open the South Australian Forestry permit application
Western Australia Miners Right
To obtain a Western Australia Miners Right, please click the button to the left to open the Department of Minerals permit application
Northern Territory
No permit or license is required for recreational fossicking in NT, you can freely collect rocks, minerals and gemstones by hand or with a hand-held tool to a depth of 1m. you must comply with the land access rules, notify landowners on certain sites, and abide by established collection limits.
Key Requirements & Rules
- Permit:Â Not required.
- Land Access:Â While public areas exist, you must give at least 7 days’ written notice to pastoralists/occupiers before entering to fossick.
- Aboriginal Land:Â A permit is required to enter Aboriginal land, as it is privately owned.
- Limits:Â Fossicking is for recreation only, not commercial gain.
- Collection Limits:Â Max 100gm gold, 1kg gemstones, 20kg other minerals, or 100kg ornamental stones.
- Prohibited Areas:Â You cannot fossick in areas under a current mining lease, exploration licence (unless you have consent), or within 100m of a mining site, cemetery, or building.
Australian Capital Territory
- Restrictions:Â You cannot fossick in National Parks, Conservation Parks, or Reserve areas.
- Permissions:Â You must obtain permission from the relevant landholder or authority.
- Private Land:Â You must have written permission to enter private land.
- Recommended Actions:
- If looking to go near the border, consider a 12-month NSW state forest permit.
- Ensure all tools are hand-held (pans, small shovels) and that you restore any disturbed groun
