Fossicking Licences

In the state of Queensland, you need a Fossicking Licence to search for minerals such as gemstones or gold. You are only allowed to use hand tools such as picks, shovels, sieves etc. Metal detectors are also covered. For more details and a guide to the legislation, please refer to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
Sorry, unfortunately No more MINERS RIGHTS, a thing of the past! (that's another story)  Instead the state of Queensland gives us:

FOSSICKING LICENCES           New Fees 1/7/08

In order to conduct your hobby of fossicking legally, you will need a fossicking licence. Also you will require the permission of the property owner (grazing lease holder). He should actually sign the back of the licence and can impose conditions. He is within his rights to refuse entry to his grazing lease. Him signing the fossicking licence is actually a good thing for both parties as it covers the grazing leaseholder for public liability. You will need a separate licence for each state in Australia. Sorry, thems the rulz.

Coins and relics are not minerals so you don't need a fossicking licence to detect for them (on a beach etc.). Make sure you have permission if detecting on private land. better still get yourself a fossicking licence anyway.

At this stage no on-line applications are possible, Nth Qld Miners Den issue fossicking licences over the counter.
You can download and print out the Fossicking Licence Application Form and mail or fax it with payment to us and we will mail you your licence.
 

Metal detector users, fossickers :
If visiting Mount Mulligan including Thornborough, Kingsborough please be aware that this area is a working cattle station and permission to camp overnight is required.