Workers’ Assembly Halls is a transnational World Heritage serial nomination that is representative of the global phenomenon of mass organisation of workers by the international democratic labour movement in the context of industrialisation during the formative period of working-class internationalism from 1850 to 1950.

Purpose-built and established by international democratic labour movements from the 1850s onwards, the tradition continues with new workers’ assembly halls still being built today. They are located in proximity to industrial zones or directly related to developing industrial areas and were always managed by international democratic labour movements.

They were self-confident in architectural expression and intended to stand out in the surroundings, thereby signalling a permanent presence of the international democratic labour movement. The buildings continue to function as meeting places with public access, either in direct continuation or in clear relation to their original purpose. They are in a good state of conservation and still retain the layout and floorplan of their original function. This includes meeting rooms of various sizes, service areas, offices, often kitchens and sometimes apartments, printing press, cooperative businesses, or other sources of income. Decorations and architectural features intended to motivate a sense of community are also preserved.

Broken Hill Trades Hall, together with Victorian Trades Hall in Melbourne, has been included on Australia’s UNESCO Tentative List as part of the serial nomination of Workers’ Assembly Halls (more here).

The nomination is part of a global effort led by the Workers Museum (Arbejdermuseet) in Denmark, and includes workers’ halls in Belgium and Denmark in addition to the Australian sites.

Together, these sites showcase the role of workers’ assembly halls as centres of organising, social solidarity and political action during key periods of industrialisation worldwide. (more here)

The nomination has formal backing from the Australian, Victorian and New South Wales governments, recognising the halls’ historical, architectural and cultural significance.

In the 2023–24 federal budget, the Albanese Government allocated $1.2 million to support the bid .

(more here)

The World Heritage nomination dossier was submitted to UNESCO in January 2026. The World Heritage Committee is expected to consider the nomination in mid-2027.

If accepted, the nomination would elevate Broken Hill Trades Hall’s status internationally and help protect and preserve its heritage for future generations.