Graves discovered under Sydney's Central Station

A 181-year-old burial vault has been uncovered underneath Sydney's Central Station.

The discovery comes during the excavations for the new metro platforms at the site.

A search is now underway for the descendants of two colonial Sydney families buried in the vault.

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"As we're building Sydney's transport future, we're uncovering some of Sydney's rich past," Transport Minister Rob Stokes said.

The Perry and Ham family vault was identified by nameplates found in the graves.

"The three name plates date back to as early as 1840 and provides us with insight into early settlement of the area and burial practices in colonial Sydney," Mr Stokes said.

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The vault contains 11 graves.

The NSW Government has urged descendants to get in touch.

"We're inviting any relatives or descendants of the Perry or Ham families to make contact with Sydney Metro team for further information," Mr Stokes said.

This is the second grave with a legible nameplate to be uncovered during construction work on the new Sydney Metro platforms.

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A search uncovered the descendants of Joseph Thompson whose 1858 nameplate was also discovered in a grave during Central station excavations in 2019.

Later this year his remains will be reinterred at the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park.

Central Station was once the Devonshire Street Cemetery, which was closed in 1867, explaining the discovery of the graves.

Most of the graves were removed prior to the construction of the station in 1901 however more than 60 graves and five vaults have been discovered since.