Aboriginal Heritage

Aboriginal sites are of immense cultural, scientific, educational and historic interest and provide Aboriginal people with an important link to their present and past culture. 

Protecting Aboriginal heritage

Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (opens in a new window), the Department works with Aboriginal people to protect and manage places of significance, provides advice to the public and private sectors about Aboriginal heritage management and maintains the Register of Places and Objects. The department also administers a grants program that provides funding for Aboriginal communities to protect and promote their heritage sites. 

Assisting with compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972

The Department works with developers and land users to raise awareness and to ensure that Aboriginal heritage and engagement with Aboriginal people are built into development planning processes. In situations where impact to a site cannot be avoided, the Department processes lodged Section 18 notices that seek approval from the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Providing access to heritage information

Access to departmental information on registered Aboriginal sites and other heritage places is made available via the Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System (opens in a new window) (AHIS). The Department can arrange access to specific heritage files and reports as long as they do not contain confidential information, or if they do, appropriate permissions have been sought.

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