The criteria for the World Heritage list.

The Wet Tropics of Queensland was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1988 as a property that fulfilled all four natural criteria for listing. At the time of nomination, the Wet Tropics was one of only 13 out of 97 natural World Heritage properties to do so. In 2002 an updated version of the nomination was included as part of the Periodic Report.

Under the current criteria, the Wet Tropics of Queensland is considered to:

Criterion (vii)		Criterion (viii)
contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.		be an outstanding example representing the major stages of Earth's history, including the record of life, and significant ongoing geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features.
Criterion (ix)		Criterion (x)
be an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.		contain the most important significant habitats for in situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

If you would like more information about World Heritage, visit the Environment Australia site.

The criteria for the National Heritage List

In May 2007 the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area was also listed on the National Heritage List (along with other Australian World Heritage Areas). The Area was listed for the five National Heritage criteria which correspond to its World Heritage criteria. It is intended that over time, and subject to resources available, that the Wet Tropics of Queensland will be reassessed for its full range of National Heritage values.

The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is considered to have outstanding heritage value to the nation because of:

Criterion (a)		Criterion (b)
the place's importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia's natural or cultural history.		the place's possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Australia's natural or cultural history.
Criterion (c)		Criterion (d)
the place's potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Australia's natural or cultural history.		the place's importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of (i) a class of Australia's natural or cultural places; or (ii) a class of Australia's natural or cultural environments.

Criterion (e)
the place's importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or cultural group.

If you would like more information about the National Heritage List, visit the National Heritage site.