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The term 'the National Estate' was coined by William Clough Ellis, a British architect, in the 1940s. It was introduced into Australia in 1973 when the Federal Government set up a Commission of Inquiry into the National Estate, headed by Hon. Mr Justice RM Hope. The inquiry aimed to 'preserve and enhance the quality of the National Estate'. Following the recommendations of this inquiry, the Australian Heritage Commission Act was passed in 1975 with the support of all political parties.

'The National Estate' is defined in the legislation as:

... those places, being components of the natural environment of Australia, or the cultural environment of Australia, that have aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance or other special value for future generations as well as for the present community.

Both publicly and privately owned places form part of the National Estate. It encompasses places which are important to local communities, as well as those which are of regional or state significance. The National Estate also includes places which have national or international significance. Broad stretches of coastline, desert, forest and national parks, as well as isolated geological monuments and small areas which might provide habitats for endangered plant or animal species are part of the National Estate. It can cover whole villages and suburbs, streetscapes, single mansions, cattlemen's huts, railway yards and other reminders of the historical development of Australia's society and economy. Places of significance to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples, such as rock engravings, rock art galleries, fish traps, carved trees, meeting places and ceremonial sites are also part of Australia's National Estate, as are reminders of early European settlement, such as mission stations.

The Australian Heritage Commission has a statutory obligation to identify the National Estate. It has established the Register of the National Estate to place on public record Indigenous, historic and natural places to assist in their management and conservation, and, in particular, their protection from potentially adverse Commonwealth actions.

During 2001-02, the number of places in the Register of the National Estate increased by 96 to 12,941. This compares with an increase of 227 in 2000-01. Details by state or territory and type, and comparisons with the previous year, are shown in table 12.1.

12.1 PLACES ON THE REGISTER OF THE NATIONAL ESTATE
	Indigenous places		Historic places		Natural places		Total
	2000-01	2001-02	2000-01	2001-02	2000-01	2001-02	2000-01	2001-02
New South Wales	218	221	3,055	3,084	474	478	3,747	3,783
Victoria	106	111	2,387	2,412	245	247	2,738	2,770
Queensland	154	155	737	737	319	320	1,210	1,212
Western Australia	74	74	962	964	267	265	1,303	1,303
South Australia	148	150	1,202	1,204	389	389	1,739	1,743
Tasmania	65	65	1,186	1,201	252	253	1,503	1,519
Northern Territory	105	105	144	144	62	62	311	311
Australian Capital Territory(a)	27	28	178	183	31	30	236	241
External territories	-	-	38	39	20	20	58	59
Total	897	909	9,889	9,968	2,059	2,064	12,845	12,941
(a) Includes Jervis Bay.
Source: Australian Heritage Commission.