In 1979 concerned for the lack of maintenance of the building, residents of Paterson requested the Heritage Council to take action under the Heritage Act to conserve the building. The action was also supported by the National Trust. On 6 March 1981 a Permanent Conservation Order was placed over the Royal Oak Inn. In 1987 through the Heritage Assistance Program funding was made available to assist in the restoration work being undertaken to the Royal Oak Inn. In 1994 the Heritage Council approved work for the restoration of the front verandah. On 2 April 1999 the Royal Oak Inn was transferred to the State Heritage Register. The Royal Oak Arms Inn is situated in what was once the busy commercial centre of the township of Paterson. It is a two-storey brick rendered building designed in the early Colonial Georgian style. Its original single-storey street verandah was replaced in the late 1900s with the two storey federation Style verandah that still stands today. A doorway was cut into the wall at the first floor to allow access onto the verandah. The original timber shingles to the hipped and skillion roof have been overlaid with sheets of corrugated iron. The verandah addition is sheeted with corrugated iron and has a bull nose edge. The original twelve paned windows were replaced with four pan windows before the turn of the century. The windows were shuttered. A number of the original elegant French doors to the ground floor rear verandah remain, however their shutters no longer exist. The early twentieth century additions have altered the character of the building slightly but not adversely affected its appearance within the streetscape. The Royal Oak Arms Inn is historically significant as a building that has stood for over 135 years within the centre of Paterson. The use of the building has changed to suit the needs of the town. The history of the building is strongly linked to the original settlement of Paterson and with its subsequent growth and development. It begun as a residence for the convict surgeon, was used as an inn, hotel, bank, small store and residence as the township developed. The Royal Oak Arms Inn is significant as an example of early Georgian architecture within the townscape of Paterson. Located in a key position in the town of Paterson, the building forms a part of the townscape group with the hotel, Court House, Post Office and Church. It is an important element in the vista down Duke Street. The Royal Oak Arms Inn is socially significant as a landmark for the people and township of Paterson. It forms part of the image of Paterson, and image that lies with the original settlement and the growth that followed.