Victoria’s Miner’s Right Fee Set to Rise – But It’s Not Final Yet

The cost of obtaining a Miner’s Right in Victoria — a legal permit required for recreational prospecting and fossicking — is currently $27.80 for a 10-year period. This relatively affordable license allows individuals to search for gold and other minerals on Crown land, their own property, or on private land with permission from the owner. However, that price may be set to rise sharply.

On 1 October 2025, the Victorian Government plans to implement a substantial 234% increase to fees across the mining and extractive industries, including the cost of a Miner’s Right. This proposed change forms part of a broader overhaul of Victoria’s regulatory cost recovery framework. In simple terms, the government aims to recover more of the cost of administering mining permits and regulations by increasing the charges it places on individuals and businesses operating in the sector.

For those who enjoy prospecting as a hobby, this could mean a significant jump in the cost of a Miner’s Right — though the exact new price for the permit hasn’t yet been itemized publicly.

The proposal is not final. It is currently under public consultation through the Engage Victoria platform, with feedback accepted until 23 June 2025. Stakeholders — from recreational prospectors to larger mining companies — are being encouraged to submit their opinions on the proposed changes.

Critics, including representatives from the Minerals Council of Australia, have raised concerns about the impact of such steep increases. They argue that Victoria already charges some of the highest fees in the country for mining-related permits and that further increases could deter investment, stifle exploration, and make the state less competitive in the sector.

This concern extends beyond big business. Everyday gold prospectors, many of whom hold Miner’s Rights purely for personal or recreational use, may feel unfairly burdened by such a sharp fee increase.

Resources Victoria, the department behind the proposed changes, argues the adjustments are necessary to bring Victoria in line with a full cost recovery model. They state that regulatory services related to licensing, compliance, and land management must be sustainably funded.

Until the consultation closes and feedback is assessed, the fee increases remain proposals — not yet law. Prospectors still have time to voice their concerns or support.

For now, the cost of a Miner’s Right remains unchanged, but those who are considering buying one may want to do so before the proposed changes come into effect in October 2025.