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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 when the Federal Government set up a Commission of Inquiry into the National Estate, headed by Hon. Mr Justice R.M. 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 evolution of Australia's society and economy. Places of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander significance such as rock engravings, galleries of rock art, fish traps, carved trees, meeting places, ceremonial sites and reminders of early European settlement, such as mission stations, are part of Australia's National Estate.

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 2000-01, the number of places in the Register of the National Estate increased by a net 227 to 12,845. This compares with a net increase of 254 in 1999-2000. Details by State and type, and comparisons with the previous year, are shown in table 12.1.

12.1 PLACES ON THE REGISTER OF THE NATIONAL ESTATE, By Number and Type
	Indigenous places		Historic places		Natural places		Total
State/Territory	1999-2000	2000-01	1999-2000	2000-01	1999-2000	2000-01	1999-2000	2000-01
New South Wales	219	218	3,020	3,055	453	474	3,692	3,747
Victoria	106	106	2,334	2,387	239	245	2,679	2,738
Queensland	152	154	737	737	304	319	1,193	1,210
Western Australia	74	74	958	962	254	267	1,286	1,303
South Australia	147	148	1,165	1,202	385	389	1,687	1,739
Tasmania	65	65	1,183	1,186	242	252	1,490	1,503
Northern Territory	104	105	147	144	59	62	310	311
Australian Capital Territory(a)	27	27	169	178	30	31	226	236
External Territories	-	-	37	38	18	20	55	58
Total	894	897	9,740	9,889	1,984	2,059	12,618	12,845
(a) Includes Jervis Bay. Source: Australian Heritage Commission.