Use the tips below to help find what you need in the database.

• Only include the first part of a place name in the search field. Do not include:
  • road type (eg road, street, close)
  • feature type (eg mount, river, hill).
• Check the box next to 'Similar sounding names' to broaden your search and allow for variations in spelling of a particular name, or to find other places with names that sound similar.
• Use the 'Advanced search' function to narrow your search or search by attributes. Search results can be downloaded to Microsoft Excel. Having trouble? Check that you have cleared previous search filters before starting a new search.
• Recent changes to the database have been made so that additional files, such as plans and photos, can be attached to place names. Please be patient while we work to update this information. Plans for names approved since 2007, can be found through Approvals by Year. Through the Advanced Search, you can search by file type to see which place names have additional files attached.
• If you find the information in the database is incorrect or incomplete, fill in the contact form so we can correct the database.
• If no history/origin data is recorded against a place name, fill in contact form as we may have additional information on paper files which hasn’t, as yet, been added to the database.

Icons you will see

	Indicates place names with map location data that are found as a result of a search. If you click on a blue icon, the icon will change to orange and information about the selected place will display in the information panel.
	Indicates a selected place name with map location data. Information about the selected place is displayed in the information panel.
	Indicates other place names in the surrounding area with map location data. This icon may not display on some mobile devices, depending on your system and browser capabilities.
	If you have moved the map and want to return to a selected place name, click on the re-centre icon at the top left-hand corner of the map.
	When clicked, opens the place names register print extract containing information about the selected place name in a separate browser tab.
	If there is an audio pronunciation file attached to a place name, the speaker icon will appear on the information panel next to the place name. Click on the speaker icon to play the audio file.
	The numbers at the bottom of the information panel indicate the available tabs that contain information about the place name. The blue number indicates the tab that is displayed.
	If a community, locality or suburb is included in search results, a purple shaded area appears to show the extent of the place name. This can be turned off/on by unchecking/checking the relevant layer in the ‘Active Layer’ box in the bottom right corner.
	If a road is included in search results, a red line appears to show the extent of the place name. This can be turned off/on by unchecking/checking the relevant layer in the ‘Active Layer’ box in the bottom right corner.

Data types

The place names database is divided into the following data or place names types, coinciding with the types of places as defined by section 4A of the Act.

Status values

Place names in the place names database have been allocated the following status value to indicate if the place name is registered or not.