Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018.

This Act, consisting of 61 sections divided into five Parts, provides for the protection of Australia’s underwater cultural heritage. Different kinds of articles of underwater cultural heritage are, or can be, protected, depending on their heritage significance and their location. For example, remains of vessels that have been in Australian waters for at least 75 years are automatically protected, as are certain articles associated with vessels and remains of vessels. The remains of aircraft and certain associated articles that have been in Commonwealth waters for at least 75 years are also automatically protected. The objects of this Act are: a) to provide for the identification, protection and conservation of Australia’s underwater cultural heritage; b) to enable the cooperative implementation of national and international maritime heritage responsibilities; and c) to promote public awareness, understanding, appreciation and appropriate use of Australia’s underwater cultural heritage.
The Act is divided as follows: Introduction (Part 1); Protected underwater cultural heritage (Part 2); Regulation of protected underwater cultural heritage (Part 3); Compliance and enforcement (Part 4); Other matters (Part 5).