There are three properties on the National Heritage List.
Australia's national heritage comprises exceptional natural and cultural places which help give Australia its national identity. Such places are a living and accessible record of the nation's evolving landscapes and experiences.
National heritage defines the critical moments in our development as a nation and reflects achievements, joys and sorrows in the lives of Australians. It also encompasses those places that reveal the richness of Australia's extraordinarily diverse natural heritage.
A National Heritage List has been established to list places of outstanding heritage significance to Australia. The National Heritage List will comprise natural, historic and Indigenous places that are of outstanding national heritage value to the Australian nation.
Each place in the List is assessed by the Australian Heritage Council as having national heritage values which can be protected and managed under a range of Commonwealth powers. A place entered in the National Heritage List is a national heritage place.
Places on the list are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This requires that approval is obtained before any action takes place which has, will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on the national heritage values of a listed place. Proposals for actions which could affect such values will be rigorously assessed.
The National Heritage List is compiled and maintained by this Department and can be searched using the Australian Heritage Database.
See also:
Heritage laws and notices
Old Parliament House - now protected under federal heritage laws
Australian  John Howard announced on Tuesday that  in Canberra has been heritage listed. It is the 31st entry on the National Heritage List.

The listing acknowledges the role the building has in shaping Australia's culture and protects it from being modified in any way which could affect its historic value.

Old Parliament House served as the home of Australia's parliament from 1927 until 1988, when it was relocated to the  parliament house. From 1901-1927, parliament met in Melbourne in the  (the state parliament was relocated for 26 years). Before being known as Old Parliament House, the building was known as Provisional Parliament House - as it was intended to be used for 50 years before a permanent building could be built.

In the 61 years the building was used as the seat of parliament, the government changed only seven times, and several new political parties were formed (the Liberals, , and the ).

Mr Howard said the building played an important part in Australia's political history. "Old Parliament House will always be an important part of our political history with its rich collection of original furniture, art and memorabilia helping to illustrate the story of Australia's political customs and functions," he said.

According to Mr Howard, the National Heritage List lists sites which have helped shape the country. "The National Heritage List contains places that have played an important role in the development of our nation, such as Captain Cook’s landing place in New South Wales, Port Arthur in Tasmania and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra," said the Prime Minister.

The building currently houses Australia's National Portrait Gallery, and serves as a venue for receptions and exhbitions.