Aboriginal cultural heritage laws in Victoria
This factsheet explains Aboriginal cultural heritage laws in Victoria and provides information on what options you have if cultural heritage is under threat.
Summary
Key takeaways
In Victoria, Aboriginal cultural heritage, which includes Aboriginal places and objects, is protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic). The Act also protects Aboriginal intangible heritage.
It is an offence under the Act to:
- knowingly, recklessly or negligently harm Aboriginal cultural heritage
- carry out works that disturb or excavate any land for the purpose of finding Aboriginal cultural heritage without approval
- carry out scientific research on Aboriginal cultural heritage without approval
- possess, sell or remove an Aboriginal object from Victoria without approval
- fail to report the discovery of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Key actions
- Contact your Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP)
- Propose an Aboriginal place or object for declaration
- Nominate cultural heritage for State Heritage Listing
- Have your say on Cultural Heritage Permit applications
- Report concerns to First Peoples – State Relations
- As a last resort, apply to the Federal Government for a Declaration under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth).
