This Subdivision   sets out the usual process for the inclusion of places in the Commonwealth Heritage List.

The usual process involves an annual cycle that revolves around 12 - month periods known as assessment periods. The Minister determines the start of the first assessment period (see section   341G).

The usual process involves the following steps for each assessment period:

  (a)   the Minister invites people to nominate places for inclusion in the Commonwealth Heritage List, and gives the nominations to the Australian Heritage Council (see sections   341H and 341J);

  (b)   the Australian Heritage Council prepares, and gives to the Minister, a list of places (which will mostly be places that have been nominated) that it thinks should be assessed (see sections   341JA, 341JB and 341JC);

  (c)   the Minister finalises the list of places that are to be assessed (see sections   341JD and 341JE);

  (d)   the Australian Heritage Council invites people to make comments about the places in the finalised list (see section   341JF);

  (e)   the Australian Heritage Council assesses the places in the finalised list, and gives the assessments to the Minister (see sections   341JG and 341JH);

  (f)   the Minister decides whether a place that has been assessed should be included in the Commonwealth Heritage List (see section   341JI).

The steps mentioned in paragraphs   (a) to (c) will generally be completed before the start of the assessment period.