Recreational prospecting

Recreational prospecting, including fossicking, is looking for and collecting gems or minerals as a hobby.

You’re allowed to:

• use hand tools (picks, shovels, sieves, hammers, metal detectors for gold)
• collect minerals or gems (not fossils or relics)
• keep what you find on Crown Land, your own land or private land if you’ve been given access.

You’re not allowed to:

• use machinery or explosives
• enter prohibited areas (e.g. some rivers, protected parks).

Download the guide to recreational prospecting

Permits you need

Individuals

To prospect in Victoria, you need a current a miner's right.

This permit costs $28.60 and lasts for 10 years. You can buy it:

• online through Services Victoria
• through an authorised agent.

Children under 18 can prospect without a permit if they’re with an adult who has a miner’s right.

You must always carry your miner’s right with you when you are prospecting. An inspector or authorised officer may ask to see it. If you don’t follow the rules of your miner’s right, you may get an on-the-spot fine or be taken to court . See the Fees and Penalties page for details on fines.

If you lose your miner’s right

To get a copy of your miner’s right, please email DEECA’s customer service team and include the following details:

• name
• address at the time of purchase
• date of birth
• miner’s right number (if known)
• where you bought it.

Tourism operators

Tourism operators can buy a Tourist Fossicking Authority (TFA) that lets customers fossick on specific land. A TFA costs $92.50 and lasts up to 10 years . Tourism operators can apply for a TFA through the Resource Rights Allocation and Management portal.

Where you can prospect

You can prospect in

• most state forests
• some areas in national, state, historic and heritage parks (see Parks Victoria’s fossicking and prospecting page)
• private land (with landholder’s permission).

You can’t prospect in

• prohibited Crown land (e.g. declared Aboriginal heritage areas, marine parks, protected reserves)
• certain rivers, streams and creeks (see list of banned waterways ).

Recreational prospecting is not allowed on the following Crown land areas:

• national parks, state parks, wilderness parks or marine parks under the National Parks Act 1975, unless there are specific areas where prospecting is allowed (see the ‘Permitted Areas in Certain Parks’section of the Act)
• land protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
• reference areas under the Reference Areas Act 1978
• Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve (No. 2) under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978
• land that the Minister for Energy and Resources or Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water has declared off-limits
• areas banned under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 or any other Act .

Crown land managers can let you know if prospecting is allowed in certain areas. If you’re unsure, it’s best to check with the relevant authority  before you start. Please visit the Parks Victoria fossicking and prospecting page.

Tools you can use

• You can only use non-mechanical and hand tools like picks, shovels, hammers, sieves, shakers, electronic detectors and other similar tools.
• You cannot use machinery or explosives.

Access to private land

If you want to prospect on private land:

• You need permission from the landholder, occupier, licence holder or land manager before entering land.
• Verbal permission is allowed, but it is a good idea to get it in writing, in case any issues come up.
• Permissions can come with conditions and can be taken back at any time.

Protecting cultural heritage

Caring for Aboriginal heritage

Aboriginal places and objects are protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

• You must not damage, vandalise or destroy Aboriginal cultural heritage.
• You must not move or take anything that may be an Aboriginal object (e.g. stone tools, middens, earthen mounds) on an Aboriginal place.
• To learn more about what to look for, visit the Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria website.
• Report the item’s location by following the steps on the report and protect a possible Aboriginal place or object webpage.

Caring for historic heritage

Historical places and objects are protected by law.

• The Heritage Act 1995 protects places and objects that are important to Victoria’s history.
• The Victorian Heritage Register lists places and objects of state significance.
• The Victorian Heritage Inventory lists known historical archaeological sites and relics.
• If you discover an archaeological relic, do not disturb or remove it from the site. Report the item’s location to Heritage Victoria as soon as possible.
• Visit Heritage Victoria to learn more about Victoria’s historical archaeological record.
• Use GeoVic to search for heritage places and sites.

Safe and responsible prospecting

Like any trip to the bush, it’s important to take some safety steps before you go.

Safety tips

• Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
• Check the weather forecast, including any fire or flood warnings.
• Dress for the conditions – wear sturdy shoes or boots, or rubber boots if prospecting in water.
• Use sunscreen and wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands while digging or sieving.
• Wear safety goggles/glasses if you’re breaking rocks.
• Pack a first-aid kit with everything you may need.

You can find more tips and advice on Victoria Police’s outdoor and bush safety webpage.

Do the right thing when prospecting

• Be careful when digging near large boulders. They may roll or move suddenly and cause severe injury.
• Don’t dig into stream banks or under overhanging rocks or cliffs.
• If you’re in an old mining area, watch for open shafts. Don’t get too close, as they may collapse or the ground around them may be unstable. Never enter an old underground mine shaft.
• Be careful when prospecting on mine dumps, as loose material may suddenly move.
• Don’t light fires to clear grass or plants.
• You must not damage plants or the ground.
• Before you leave, take your rubbish (do not bury it), bury human waste and fix any damage to land. For example, fill any holes you dig and put back any leaves or soil.
• Only drive on tracks or roads open to the public and park on the roadside.
• If you find any hidden valuables while prospecting, you must report it to Victoria Police. These items legally belong to the Crown.
• Using or mining mercury is not allowed in Victoria.

Key contacts

Before you head out, check for any current fires, floods or other emergencies in the area.

• Visit the VicEmergency website or call the VicEmergency Hotline.
• In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for police, ambulance or the fire brigade.

Page last updated: 23 Sep 2025