Metal Detecting Laws in Australia

In this video, we discuss the laws and regulations of metal detecting in Australia. From National Parks to private property, there are laws associated with most sites involving our hobby.
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Thanks For Watching!

[@riccardo3460]

Hi bro,my son just bought a detector today here in Adelaide so we went down the beach and saw another enthusiast doing the same.We also scanned a park nearby and found 60cents all up! Haha it was a fun arvo ,cheers for this info!

[@Comedy_Warfare]

You found the most precious thing of all brother! Time with your son. Bless you sir

[@ianmac86]

Thanks Jacob. I am new to MD but your video is well structured and it is great to hear what I can and cannot do. Very much appreciated.

[@tonynewell8413]

Thanks Jacob, If every detectorist watches this then our hobby will be safe forever

[@OurPastAu]

Thank you Tony

[@DrSummers1]

Hey Jacob, thanks for taking the time to do such a great video! 🤙 Happy Hunting

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks Reece!

[@KircardProductionsAustralia]

Thank you Jacob, perfect video. Straight to the point, no mucking around. 🙂

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks for the kind feedback!

[@traceyseymour7700]

Thank you sooooo much, i received a metal detector for christmas, I’m so excited to get out there and use it…again thank you so much.xx

[@davidberriman5903]

Jacob thank you for the information and for your sense of responsibility regarding the environment and community. Keep up the great work please.

[@OurPastAu]

Thank you Dave

[@roystonwoodward1433]

Brilliant video, mate. Answered all my questions. Thanks

[@craigdutton6072]

One little trick I picked up few yrs ago with detecting and looking for bottles was how good droughts can be for looking for treasures ❤few yrs back say 5 near it was bad out west nsw , I could see so far into the scrub I saw so many signs of life that took me back to find good bottles no one ever found due to grass 🎉

[@pingerboy69]

This was perfect, mate. Thank you. !! I just got my first detector and super new to all this and wanted some extra info. I'm in qld, but this was awesome information. 🤙😊

[@timareskog2418]

Great explanation Jacob. Thank you 👍

[@OurPastAu]

Thank you Tim

[@MrAuldphart]

Thank you very much for this very informative video, I hope others learn from it.

[@davidlawrence5695]

Great information (as usual) thanks.

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks David

[@ethantalbot1102]

Well done mate very informative!

[@Flex241-yv4lj]

excellent video very informative thankyou

[@mdmelbourne6076]

Great info video Jacob, I hope people take note, I've noticed in the last few years more people have taken up the hobby, I only wish they learned the detectorist code when they started, take care mate ATB merry Christmas and a happy new year.

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks Jim, so do I. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@locateck]

Thank you. Very informative

[@troyron5975]

Thanks for the help

[@MsCarissa007]

Well presented and very good information 👍

[@Balanced--]

Great information bro. I'm wanting to get into gold hunting with a few friends and I've shared this video with them so we're all on the same page. Cheers!

[@CindyBushell]

So agree! Let’s keep it a clean hobby ❤️

[@OurPastAu]

Absolutely!

[@trevorinthailand]

Thank you for all.of this information

[@DMcCormickBeachMetalDetecting]

Awesome brother..Merry Christmas

[@OurPastAu]

Thank you, merry Christmas

[@tingpranav999]

Thanks Jacob - you have delivered some good advice - i'm amazed and disappointed at how often I come cross unfilled holes - its really not that hard to fill them in - maybe ????? your video will sink in to the offenders - thanks again for taking the time to put it together.

[@liamluhrs]

Awesome video, Thank you for your help man! About to buy a metal detector :)

[@rachaelbrowne2402]

Sweet u just answered my question about finding jewellery. Ty!

[@stuartwatson3178]

thx for the info mate just starting dectoring.From Maitland here.

[@T-Jack]

I also live in Maitland but in Florida USA. At first I was going to ask you to hunt with me until I realized your Maitland is in NSW LOL.

[@me-cq7wv]

When you show the beach goes what amount of bottle caps etc you remove they have a new prospective on detectors. Working with us to have beautiful beaches and enjoying it along the way.

[@robborobertson5798]

Thanks for this information. I am 73 and I am about to try my hand at Detecting.

[@itradefx.]

Did you get started?

[@rimaseniorsadaraka2626]

Awesome video bro thanks for the information and take care out there and a happy hunting

[@OurPastAu]

Thank you

[@treasurehuntingscotlandmud9340]

Great video keep up the good videos

[@AngusMurray]

Well put! 👍

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks Angus!

[@joshuavinny5773]

Thank mate 😊😁😊

[@SouthernCrossGO]

Nice vid mate . Merry crissy :)

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks :) Merry Christmas 🎄

[@cdwwillow9671]

Great video also led to believe you can metal detector 1 metre either side of gazetted road. In other words the gutters.. was told that in Queensland..???

[@jimfire44]

National Parks are getting locked up much too often, which were often once public/crown land. ie: Hill End

[@diggersdentysonu.k.m.d8813]

Top video allwaus injoy catching up with you guys allways a big thumbs 👍 from me and a big big marry Christmas to you all and have a happy new year from terry fury

[@missmc1215]

I’ve been looking to get into metal detecting I have no idea where to start for find the things I need I was also wondering where I could find my local rules and regulations and where I can and can’t search

[@cointector]

Excellent video Jacob mate,,, Very well explained. Have a good weekend hopefully you don’t get locked down again and they get on top of the latest outbreak

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks Paul, I hope so too 🤞

[@MetaLDeteCtorinDoneSsia]

Thank you for information buddy....we love metal detecting Greetings from indonesian hunters🙏

[@caiaphasphilip]

Can you send me the best Metal detector? I will go to dig in African my homeland and I will invite you to come and join me there. At the moment I am in Canada

[@OReckless]

@@caiaphasphilip minelab are the best metal detectors. Have been for a long time. If you want a metal detector to use for anything. Try researching the equinox 800. Or if you want to use one mainly for gold, I personally have the gold monster 1000. And that is also a minelab

[@wanderleygomes7788]

você poderia me informar qual são o valores dos dectores aí na Austrália para iniciante

[@josephgeorge4053]

don't forget to have fun and mostly be happy .leave people with a smile on there face and you have done your good deed .for the day FENCE JUMPERS METAL DETECTING is great for the hobby

[@pauli383]

Hi, where do you purchase your digging shovel

[@OurPastAu]

Aussie Detectorist

[@markhooper5822]

Commen sense or curticey when detecting. A question there's a place casuarina sands in act region can you detect there? People swim and bbq there has facilities etc is it a reserve and what's the laws with reserves if its a reserve???

[@Ecsueberance092]

Hey mate what's the link to get a licence and the forestry website for Qld please

[@jigbuilda]

I cannot get any information about detecting in suburban parks or reserves in Victoria, can you detect those areas? I do have a Miners Right to prospect if that is relevant to my case or not.

[@calipcasi567]

God job bro I'm your subscribers 👍

[@nemolips3351]

Hi...I like your videos...just no question...am I allowed to metal detect on crown land in qld ?

[@chinanumberone7723]

Can I detect small kids parks like with bark and stuff, but filling it up?

[@OurPastAu]

That would depend on local council rules

[@BassMatt1972]

Just remember is SA you CANNOT remove soil from areas. You must refill your holes and cannot use any "mechanical" pumping or mining device such as sluices etc. Prospecting is ok, "mining" is not.

[@shauncorless8965]

Just changed the law over here in good old england ,any finds whatever the metal however big or small is now owned by the crown ,,,it's enough to make you give up 🥺

[@jaegar5125]

G'day i just wanted to know, are you allowed to metal detect in Bush Reserves?

[@noahjosefski7019]

no

[@NoahJJCoolClips]

Do you think a mum or dad with their kids using a metal detector at the beach on a weekend needs to get a Fossicking Licence? I'm in QLD

[@ymmanminerprospecting9566]

Hi! Brother waching from Philippines.

[@zomartinphotos]

How about Parks and Playground areas? Are these areas ok to metal detect in?

[@zomartinphotos]

No one has ever been able to answer this question.

[@OurPastAu]

Hi Zoe, my apologies for the delayed reply. There is no single 'yes or no' answer to that question, as it varies depending on council. To get a definite answer, try your local councils website, or contact them directly :)

[@petershoobridge6476]

Fanbloodytastic 👍🇦🇺

[@blakeeastlake1814]

Hi Jacob, I was just wondering that if you could Metal detect on national Park beaches because I know in Dunsborough in WA you can Metal detect in the national Park beaches but since I'm am up north at Exmouth their is a national Park you have to pay to entre and wasn't sure if I could detect or not but I decided not to anyway. Also what is the value of the fine if you are caught Metal detecting in national Parks. Cheers 👍

[@OurPastAu]

Hi Blake, I believe it depends on the tideline. You’d have to check with the management of that specific park to be sure. In terms of fines, you may be lucky and get let off, although they can issue fines in the hundreds or thousands, and possibly arrested if it were real bad (say you detected in a heritage listed national park, over an aboriginal site).

[@blakeeastlake1814]

@@OurPastAu Thanks Jacob, I'm only 12 so I don't want to get fined then and yes I'll probably have to ask the Rangers or the people at the Ranger station if I am able to detect even if I have to pay a small fee. Thanks again 👍

[@munurulker9338]

@@blakeeastlake1814 😀😁😂 12 yaşında para cezası olurmu

[@ozdog822]

Geday Jacob..just a bit unclear on nsw council parks ect..not ovals..cheers mate..

[@OurPastAu]

Hi Bradley. That would be dependant on local council rules, rather than statewide. To be 100% sure you’d have to check the council website or contact them directly

[@ozdog822]

@@OurPastAu Cheers mate,they emailed me saying they do not give permission and passive is fine but I need the correct permits for nsw.. 🤦this is nsw council run town parks..

[@DragonfruitTreasures]

How about a lake or a beach in the national park

[@OurPastAu]

Great question, in some cases the extent of the National Park may only reach the high tide mark, so below this may be allowed. It would be best to check with your local NPWS office to confirm this if you had a specific location in mind.

[@DragonfruitTreasures]

@OurPastAu yeah i call them up they just said its a no in general. But i feel like the water side of it is different you know what i mean. Or a lake that runs through it. Its just a waste not being detected 😂 but have to follow rules

[@munurulker9338]

Teşekkürler yakup sayende gitmeden başka ülke görmek gezmek güzel başarılar

[@bevanmckay9180]

thanks for the information. it just goes to show how overgoverned we are

[@shalomjr2289]

Do I need to be citizen to metal detect?? Victoria? Can I do it as a tourist?

[@timthompson6092]

But is it true that with heritage listed house's that the house is heritage listed not the land sorry if I'm coming across rude but I heard that from another detecting KZbinr that's all can you please fill me in on that thank you in advance

[@OurPastAu]

Great question! All sites are different, if a whole building is heritage listed, often there is a surrounding ‘buffer zone’ to further protect the site. This probably wouldn’t be the case if only a particular component of a building is heritage listed (e.g chalkboard in a school). The buffer zone is dependant on the buildings interaction with the surrounding area. If you can find the documentation associated with the site, this will usually give a visual and written representation of the limitations to the listing. Buffer zones are generally 15-50 meters in diameter around a building (from what I’ve seen and experienced) but once again this is dependant on the individual site. Hope that helps!

[@jungleman4921]

There are no laws over here in NZ concerning metal detecting except private property.

[@OurPastAu]

Private property and heritage/historical/archaeological sites are generally out of bounds in most countries without special permission

[@stevenanderson4952]

Is the web site in the cloud

[@OurPastAu]

Haha! KZbin wouldn’t let me link to the site, here’s the link here: www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/activities/fossicking

[@europeanconfidence32]

Nanny needs more laws. So nanny makes more laws, if anyone thought we were free they were very much mistaken. Of course you have to respect heritage parks, cemeteries etc.....but keeping valuables is your right and nanny should have no right to that. Quote: Kazz revealed: 'A lot of people don't realise that if you find anything worth more than $100, you have to hand that to the police. If you keep or sell it, it's called theft by finding, and it's a chargeable offence.'

[@barres5584]

Ahh, the website in the sky 🤣

[@OurPastAu]

Turns out KZbin doesn't allow non-youtube web addresses to be linked in a video 🤣

[@nicolejamieson9378]

Gosh Victorian Gold fossicking licences are @$25.10 for 10 years 😘

[@joshe3592]

hellooo

[@rodneyhamson2239]

would you know jacob about a travelling stock reserve ? cheers

[@timareskog2418]

Stock Reserves are "Crown Land" even if they are fenced off by the local farmer. Permission can be obtained by the farmer to incorporate the Reserve as part of his property to use buy my understanding is that it technically remains Crown Land. It is permissible to travel these Stock Reserves and even hunt Vermin/Game animals, this one could assume it's also legal to detect upon them. Best to check with the various State/Territory Governments in the areas you wish to travel to establish the full Law/s concerning those areas. Note that some farmers &/or land owners are not aware of Stock Reserves either on or bordering their properties. As such they can get very negative with others being on "their" land.

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks for that info Tim

[@markhannam7144]

No Roman or hammies!!

[@officaljayceee6377]

What about public schools?

[@OurPastAu]

Great question. That'd be considered trespassing most of the time in NSW - you could go about getting permission by contacting the school directly. As you can imagine, schools would be pretty sensitive letting random people onto the grounds. Hope that helps :)

[@officaljayceee6377]

@@OurPastAu yeah that helps heaps thanks 🙏🏽

[@wanderleygomes7788]

saudações Brasil

[@rfbftp123]

#fencejumpers

[@T-Jack]

What about cemeteries? Just kidding LOL. Yeah it sucks, even here in the U.S where there are millions of detectorist, more and more places are being off limits. A few bad apples ruin it for everyone. A park I have hunted for 100s of years (ok 20) I got kicked off by a Karen park official who said the city has decided no digging in the parks. I asked her why dogs can dig in the park and poop with no consequences but we cannot. No response other than leave or face the consequences.

[@munurulker9338]

TÜRKİYE den selamlar seviliyorsun

[@angiestojanovski1463]

WowWOwWOW Thank you for your video I was wanting to get my Grandson who is 11 years old, a metal detector. Can you please recommend one for me. I have no idea regarding this ,I just think it would be a fun idea for him to be outdoors and going on a little adventure. Can you please help. Thank you again, from a Nonna that wants to get a cooool gift 🎁 I appreciate your help🙂

[@OurPastAu]

Hi Angie! Any one of the Minelab Vanquish machines (340, 440, 540) would be perfect. Hope this helps

[@angiestojanovski1463]

@@OurPastAu Thank you for your advice, apart from on line where else can I find one. I would like to actually see how it works I live in Perth Western Australian. Is that the only brand you would recommend ?

[@OurPastAu]

No problem! Minelab, Garrett and Nokta are all good brands.

[@dazasmit2048]

Money grabbing permits.

[@AdelaideRegiment]

I am a professional archaeologist. In South Australia at least it is completely illegal to metal detect for relics (i.e. European items like historical coins, buttons, etc etc) ANYWHERE without a permit from the South Australian Heritage Council. Doesn't matter if it's private property or not. Sorry but that's the law - look it up.

[@OurPastAu]

Thanks for this info Nic, this is very informative for South Australians. Im sure people will appreciate hearing it from a professional.

[@AdelaideRegiment]

@@OurPastAu Actually, most relic hunters will ignore this because the SA government doesn't enforce its own heritage laws :(

[@BassMatt1972]

My Dad did it for years with a SA Permit. How are you meant to know what you are going to find? Found many coins and buttons.

[@donnajohnson9324]

Australia is one of the most controlled countries by the British government, yet we are meant to be free and have a democracy 😉

[@stephenwade8093]

And get a license

[@ashleighcahill151]

Lol ..not gonna share my area ...but it's heritage,,so I don't dig the hill or detect it ...but the creek is full of mercury and lead from the old timers 😂🤷 ,, I've swapped from panning for gold to trying to collect that nasty shit from our river system,,,so far I've removed over 4 grams of proper quicksilver and amalgam .......... If I'm breaking a law removing this toxin from our ecosystem ...sue me the EPA should've been onto it 50 years ago rather than shut it down

[@mrdilligaf1968]

Don't get caught and don't tell anyone anything and we're all good. Over the years it's become a cat n mouse game

[@Farmer2492]

i agree if you find something keep it to yourself don't tell anyone

[@sonnydates6819]

Lots of people go Grave digging, they just gave it a flash name called ARCHAEOLOGY .......

[@gravediggy]

Pj metal detecting would not approve of this

[@kellytyson2156]

Lol I know where to hide something that was to something someone. Obvs national park not sites. Even I'm not stupid to go mess around with bad juju

[@dicklaycock1343]

They mine in national parks...