Palaeontology gives us a critical insight into the understanding of Western Australian geology and is an important part of the Geological Survey of Western Australia’s geoscience programs. Palaeontology is the study of fossils, and examines not only the organism itself, but also the world it lived in. We use fossils to learn about the age (biostratigraphy) and depositional environments (palaeoenvironmental studies) of rock units in Western Australia.
GSWA palaeontological data can be accessed through the GSWA palaeontology collection and the GSWA Paleontology Reports, or by contacting us using the email listed.
GSWA palaeontology collection
We maintain an extensive fossil collection, including palynological and microfossil materials (slides and residues) and macrofossil samples. Samples are collected as part of GSWA’s field mapping projects and include material collected by the State’s earliest European geologists and explorers, dating back to 1897. The collection is actively managed and is an important resource for mapping and other geoscience projects.
The collection has a strong focus on fossils that are useful for geological interpretation, and has samples representing a wide range of ages, stratigraphic and tectonic units, and fossil groups.
Collection highlights include:
- an extensive type collection of Western Australian fossils, relating to palaeontological publications dating back to 1890
- microbialite samples from across the State, representing a range of geological ages from the world’s oldest known stromatolites to recent examples
- macroinvertebrates and microfossils from the Devonian reef complex in the west Kimberley
- an extensive collection of palynology slides from water, coal, and mineral boreholes across the State (separate from materials maintained by GSWA as part of the Petroleum Relinquishment collection in WAPIMS).
The collection is housed at the Perth Core Library site in Carlisle and is accessible by appointment only. On request, material from the collection can be loaned to researchers from recognised institutions under specific conditions; type material will not be loaned under any circumstances.
The physical collections are supported by a broad range of data and documents relating to their location, collection, and sample identification. Much of this information is available through our online systems (including eBookshop), with some legacy data only accessible by request.
GSWA Paleontology Reports
Paleontology Reports are short, generally descriptive texts relating to specific fossils or fossil sites. They cover a range of topics, including basic descriptions, short biostratigraphic or palaeoecological studies, and material listings. Reports describing stromatolites, palynomorphs, microfossils, and macroinvertebrates are most common in the collection.
The Reports are divided into two types — the Legacy series (1962–2015) and the Current series (2016–present).
Legacy series (1962–2015)
Prior to 2016, the Paleontology Reports were an informal, internal report series written on request by GSWA palaeontologists for other GSWA staff. Of particular interest is a set of Reports summarising all known fossils from the State from different geological eras, only one of which was officially published (Permian volume — GSWA Bulletin 136).
Legacy Paleontology Reports up to 1996 were released on a data CD (in 1999 and again in 2005) and were digitally rescanned in 2014 to improve text clarity, and to permit Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The recent rescanning program (undertaken in 2014–15) included all Legacy Reports from 1962 to 2014.
Current series
Paleontology Reports from 2016 onwards are intended as a method of rapid communication, providing basic data or discussing one-off discoveries. These reports will be published on an ad hoc basis.
How to access the reports
GSWA Paleontology Reports can be accessed through the DEMIRS eBookshop, where you can search for and download individual Reports (Legacy and Current series).
Western Australian fossil law
How the WA Government protects fossils in the State.
In Western Australia, fossicking and fossil collecting is allowed under certain conditions:
- Collectors must first get a Miner’s Right from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS).
- Written permission is needed if you are collecting on private property or pastoral leases.
- Fossil collecting is not allowed on Crown Reserves (like National Parks, State Forests, or State Geoheritage Reserves) unless you have written approval from the relevant State or Federal Government agencies. The only exceptions are State Reserves with a Common, Public Utility, or Mining purpose.
- Fossil collecting is not encouraged on State Geoheritage Sites; please leave these sites intact for future generations to enjoy.
Geoheritage in Western Australia is managed by GSWA on behalf of the State. One way we manage significant geology is through Geoheritage Reserves, which are created to protect sites of exceptional international significance that are vulnerable to damage or destruction through visitation and sampling. Many of the current Geoheritage Reserves were established to protect fossils and the rocks they are preserved within. Visitation to Geoheritage Reserves is strictly controlled, being reserved for scientists with legitimate research needs, and requires obtaining a valid permit from GSWA prior to entry.
Collectors are encouraged to bring interesting fossils to us for identification. This helps the government protect important fossil sites for future generations of Western Australians.
Note that any fossils sent overseas, even for non-commercial reasons, are subject to Australian cultural heritage restrictions.
Learn about fossils
General information on a range of topics related to Western Australian fossils.
