Aboriginal Sacred Sites Laws in the Northern Territory
This factsheet explains how Aboriginal sacred sites are protected in the Northern Territory and provides information on your options if a sacred site is under threat.
Summary
Key takeaways
It is an offence under the Sacred Sites Act to:
- enter onto or remain on a sacred site without authority
- carry out works on a sacred site
- desecrate a sacred site
- fail to comply with conditions of a Certificate from the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority or the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, or
- record or communicate secret information.
There are certain exceptions to these offences.
Key actions
- Consider registering a sacred site if it is culturally appropriate
- Report any damage to sacred sites to the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA)
- As a Custodian, have a say about the conditions put on Authority Certificates
- Apply to the Federal Government for a declaration under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth)
