Change an item on the state heritage register or under an interim heritage order

To cut red tape and reduce assessment timeframes, the Heritage Council of NSW has delegated a range of functions to the City of Sydney.

Project Status: When you need to do this

Before you start works within the property boundaries of an item on the state heritage register or under an interim heritage order, you’ll need to lodge a works application under section 60 of the Heritage Act 1977.

You can also apply for a modification of approval under section 65a if you were the original applicant of the works application.

What you need to do

Check if you need to lodge an application

We accept applications to undertake minor or major works to state heritage items within our area that don’t qualify for a site-specific or standard exemption.

Applications for development over $1 million, or involving excavation or archaeology, should be lodged directly with the Heritage Council of NSW.

In some instances, you may also need to obtain a local heritage exemption or development approval for your proposed works.

Find the item on the state heritage inventory

Search the inventory to confirm the item is on the state heritage register or under an interim heritage order.

Some items have site-specific exemptions that can be found in the inventory listing.

Review the standard exemptions

Standard exemptions apply to all state heritage register or interim heritage items. This aims to make it easier for owners of heritage items to maintain their property.

Confirm the site is in our area

The item must be in the City of Sydney's boundaries to fall under our delegation.

Development applications
Get advice from the City of Sydney for your development
We can provide guidance for your proposed works.

Lodge your application

Applications under the City of Sydney delegation should be lodged online using our ePlanning service.

We no longer accept email applications using the Heritage NSW PDF forms.

Fees will apply.

Start your application

State heritage works applications

Complete the state heritage works application online for fast track and standard approvals. Our ePlanning smart form will direct you down the correct pathway.

Fast track pathway

Fast track works approvals under section 60 apply to minor works.

To be eligible, the proposal must relate to works that:

will have little or no adverse impact on the heritage significance of the item
have an estimated cost under $150,000.

The fast track pathway can’t be used to obtain heritage approval following an integrated development application determination.

Standard pathway

Standard works approvals under section 60 are for activities and works that:

have or may have a moderate or greater impact on the heritage significance of the item in the opinion of the Heritage Council or its delegate
have an estimated cost over $150,000.

This is the pathway for heritage approvals following determination of an integrated development application.