Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018

Underwater cultural heritage means any trace of human existence that:

has a cultural, historical or archaeological character; and

is located under water.

For the purposes of subsection (1), a trace of human existence includes:

sites, structures, buildings, artefacts and human and animal remains, together with their archaeological and natural context; and

vessels, aircraft and other vehicles or any part thereof, together with their archaeological and natural context; and

articles associated with vessels, aircraft or other vehicles, together with their archaeological and natural context.

For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a trace of human existence is located under water:

whether partially or totally under water; and

whether under water periodically or continuously.

However, the following are not underwater cultural heritage:

pipelines or cables on the seabed;

installations (other than pipelines or cables) that are:

placed on the seabed; and

still in use.