How do I check if ground is available for exploration in Victoria?

Use GeoVic, Resources Victoria's free mapping tool, to see current tenements and whether an area is available. Note that newly lodged applications can take a short time to appear, so availability can change quickly.

How big can a Victorian exploration licence be?

An exploration licence in Victoria can cover up to 500 square kilometres and is granted for up to five years from registration, subsequently requiring work-plan approval and consents before ground disturbance.

How can I track Victorian licences that are expiring?

Licences expire at the end of their term unless renewed, and ground also reopens via surrender. Xplore360 Land Monitoring watches these changes so you can act before competitors.

Australia · Jurisdiction guide

Mining tenement data & monitoring in Victoria

Victoria administers mineral tenure under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990, with the GeoVic map and the RRAM portal managing licences. A renewed focus on critical minerals is drawing fresh attention to Victorian ground.

How mineral tenure works in Victoria

In Victoria all minerals are owned by the State, and exploration licences are issued under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 to allow licensees to explore over defined areas. An exploration licence can cover up to 500 square kilometres and is granted for up to five years from registration; before ground can be disturbed, the holder generally needs an approved work plan, a rehabilitation bond, insurance and landholder consent.

This two-step structure - secure the licence, then obtain approvals to work - means tenure and activity are separate signals. A granted licence shows intent; an approved work plan shows imminent activity.

Where to find Victorian tenure data

GeoVic is the public map. It lets you check whether ground is available for a new licence application and overlays mineral, petroleum and extractive tenements with geology, land use, aerial imagery and geophysics. Resources Victoria notes that applicants should review the application area in GeoVic to confirm it is not already covered - while allowing that there can be a short delay before a new application appears.

Licences themselves are managed through the RRAM portal, which handles applications, renewals, work plans and fees. Together they provide both the spatial picture and the administrative status of Victorian tenure.

Monitoring expiries and ground availability

Exploration licences expire after their term unless renewed, and ground also reopens through surrender and relinquishment. Because GeoVic reflects applications with a possible short lag, timing is important: the apparent availability of a block can change quickly once a competing application lands.

For explorers, this makes continuous monitoring more reliable than periodic manual checks - particularly given renewed interest in Victorian critical minerals and gold, which increases competition for prospective ground.

What this means for exploration teams

Victoria rewards teams that watch both tenure and activity signals and move promptly when ground opens. Manually reconciling GeoVic availability with RRAM status across many targets is exactly the kind of repetitive work that gets deprioritised.

Xplore360 Land Monitoring is designed to track Victorian licences and availability continuously, score newly open ground against your criteria, and produce briefs that combine tenure with the state's public geoscience.

Tenement types in Victoria

Governed by the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (Vic).

Exploration Licence

The principal exploration title - up to 500 km² and granted for up to five years from registration, with work-plan and consent requirements before ground disturbance.

Retention Licence

Holds an identified resource that is not currently viable to mine.

Mining Licence

Authorises mining and mineral production over the licence area.

FAQ

Victoria tenement FAQs

Common questions about Victoria mineral tenure, registries and monitoring.

How do I check if ground is available for exploration in Victoria?: Use GeoVic, Resources Victoria's free mapping tool, to see current tenements and whether an area is available. Note that newly lodged applications can take a short time to appear, so availability can change quickly.
How big can a Victorian exploration licence be?: An exploration licence in Victoria can cover up to 500 square kilometres and is granted for up to five years from registration, subsequently requiring work-plan approval and consents before ground disturbance.
How can I track Victorian licences that are expiring?: Licences expire at the end of their term unless renewed, and ground also reopens via surrender. Xplore360 Land Monitoring watches these changes so you can act before competitors.

Keep exploring

More Australia guides

Explainers

Get in touch

Sign up or talk to our sales team

Pricing

Land Monitoring plans start from A$300/month (GST included), with Independent, Company and Enterprise options. Pick your states on the products page to see launch and annual pricing.

View Land Monitoring pricing