Changes to Victorian Miner’s Right Fees from January 2027

Victorian prospectors will see an increase in the cost of a Miner’s Right from 1 January 2027, as part of changes to fees across Victoria’s resources sector.

The cost of a 10-year Miner’s Right is expected to increase by around $12, representing an increase of approximately 40% on the current fee.

While any increase is unwelcome, significantly larger fee rises had originally been proposed during the Victorian Government’s review of resources sector fees.

The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria (PMAV), along with other industry and stakeholder groups, made submissions and met with the Victorian Government during the consultation process to raise concerns about the impact the proposed changes could have on recreational prospectors.

Following consultation, the proposed fee structure was revised, resulting in a considerably smaller increase for Miner’s Rights than could have occurred under the original proposal.

The new resources sector fee structure will come into effect on 1 January 2027.

For Victorian prospectors and detectorists, a current Miner’s Right remains required when recreationally prospecting in Victoria.