Guide
Miner's Right (Victoria): what it costs and where it lets you detect
If you want to swing a detector or wash a pan for gold in Victoria, this is the one bit of paperwork you need first. Here's the plain-English version.
Do I need a Miner's Right?
Yes. In Victoria a Miner's Right is the permit that lets you prospect and fossick for gold, gemstones and minerals, including on Crown land such as State forests and designated goldfields parks. You must carry it whenever you're prospecting. It's issued under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act.
Children under 18 don't need their own Miner's Right as long as they're with an adult who holds a current one, which is what makes a family gold day so easy.
What does it cost, and how long does it last?
A Miner's Right is cheap and long-lived, it's issued for a multi-year term (commonly up to 10 years), so it's a one-off for most hobbyists. The fee is modest and set by the Victorian Government, and it is indexed, so check the current price on the official page before you buy rather than trusting a number you read on a blog (including this one).
You buy it online from the Victorian Government's Earth Resources / Resources Victoria service. We link straight to the official page below.
What are the rules that come with it?
- Carry your Miner's Right whenever you're out.
- Hand tools and metal detectors only, no machinery, no explosives.
- Backfill your holes and leave the ground as you found it.
- It doesn't override other laws, you still can't disturb heritage sites, Aboriginal cultural heritage, or protected reference areas (more on where you can and can't detect in our companion guide).
- On private land you always need the landholder's permission first.
Where do I actually get one?
Buy your Miner's Right directly from the Victorian Government:
- Earth Resources Victoria, Recreational prospecting & fossicking
- Parks Victoria, Fossicking & prospecting
This guide is general information to help you get started, not legal advice, and the rules and fees change, always confirm the current details on the official Victorian Government pages linked above before you head out.