“Heritage” describes the special significance to humans that some objects, landscapes, buildings and other matters possess. This “heritage” significance arises through the objects cultural or ancestral history.

Because of their special significance it has been recognised that “heritage” matters require special legal protection.

There are different legal categories of “heritage” including:

• Places on the World Heritage List and “declared World Heritage properties”; (see section 13 of the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth))
• National Heritage Places recorded on the National Heritage List; (see section 324C of the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth))
• Places and matters of special significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's which are protected under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth)
• Places and matters of significance to Victorian's on the Victorian Heritage Register; (see section 18 of the Heritage Act 1995 (Vic))
• Heritage Rivers of significance to Victorian's with special protection under Victorian Law; (see the Heritage Rivers Act 1992 (Vic))

The protection of Victoria's heritage is covered by both State and Commonwealth legislation:

• Heritage Act 1995 (Vic); which establishes the Victorian Heritage Council and Victorian Heritage Register, and restricts people changing or damaging places on the heritage register.
• Heritage Rivers Act 1992 (Vic); which provides for protection of designated Heritage River areas to maintain their natural, conservation and recreation values.
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth); which establishes the framework by which the Commonwealth Government protects Australia's biodiversity as well as national and world heritage sites.
• Australian Heritage Council Act 2003 (Cth); which establishes the Australian Heritage Council and the Register of the National Estate.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth); which provides protection to places, areas and objects of particular significance to Aboriginal people.

Planning schemes often provide the most important protection of local heritage sites. In particular, the Victoria Planning Provisions enable planning authorities to develop Heritage overlays (see land use planning, planning schemes).

• Heritage Rivers Act 1992 (Vic)

• Victorian Government - Heritage Victoria and Heritage Council

• Australian Government - Heritage info

• Australian Government - Environmental Protection and Heritage Council

• United Nations Environmental Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) - World Heritage Centre

• Australian Government - Australian World Heritage Advisory Committee

• Australian Government - Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: Arts and Culture - Movable Cultural Heritage