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.

Overview
The department is responsible for protecting Aboriginal heritage, assisting with compliance with the Act and providing access to heritage information.
Protection under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA) protects all Aboriginal heritage sites in Western Australia, whether or not they are registered with the department.
Review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
The Hon Ben Wyatt MLA, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, has announced a review of the Act, the legislation that guides the way the State Government protects Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia.
Aboriginal heritage search
Access to departmental information on Aboriginal sites, other heritage places and Aboriginal Heritage Surveys is available via the Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System (AHIS) or by download.
Aboriginal site preservation
Information on how to report an Aboriginal site or damage to a site.
Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee
The Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee (ACMC) is established under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 to represent Aboriginal people on heritage matters.
Land use under the AHA
Information regarding land users obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (the Act).
Preserving our Aboriginal sites grants program
The program offers financial support to Aboriginal not-for-profit organisations to undertake projects that protect and preserve registered Aboriginal sites.
South West Native Title Settlement
The South West Native Title Settlement is the most comprehensive native title agreement negotiated in Australian history.

Page last reviewed 9 September 2019