The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) continues to operate in Western Australia, but will be superseded, upon the completion of regulations, by the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (ACH Act) The ACH Act provides a new framework for the recognition, protection, conservation and preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Before the ACH Act comes into operation there will be a transitional …
Copyright Act 1968
The Copyright Act 1968 grants automatic rights to the creators and owners of literary, dramatic, artistic or musical works and other subject matter such as films and recordings. Indigenous people who are the copyright owners of their works have the exclusive right to prohibit or do certain acts such as publish, reproduce, communicate and adapt their work. Similarly, where Indigenous …
Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989
The Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (NT) (NTASS Act) is the primary legislation for the protection of Indigenous heritage in the Northern Territory. The NTASS Act creates a Register of Aboriginal sacred sites (s.10(d)) and a procedure for people who want to enter onto, use, or carry out works on, sacred sites for them to obtain approval (s.19B). …
Heritage Act 2004 (ACT)
The Heritage Act 2004 (ACT) (Act) is the primary legislation in the ACT that protects Indigenous heritage. The Act deals with the protection of Aboriginal, non-Indigenous and natural heritage, as well as Aboriginal objects and places. The Act is managed by the Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage and Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction (Minister), with support from …
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975 (Tas)
Indigenous Heritage in Tasmania is protected primarily by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975 (Tas) (Aboriginal Heritage Act). The Aboriginal Heritage Act establishes a scheme for the protection of Aboriginal relics (which are broadly defined to include objects, places and sites). The Aboriginal Heritage Act is administered by the Minister for Heritage through Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania in the Department of Primary …
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld)
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) (Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts) are the main laws in Queensland that protect Indigenous cultural heritage. The Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts are administered by the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the Cultural Heritage Unit of the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait …
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA)
Indigenous heritage in South Australia is protected by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA) (Act). The responsible Minister for the Act is the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. The Act is managed by the South Australian Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Under the Act, the Minister’s functions include protecting and preserving Aboriginal sites, objects and remains, searching for …
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) (NPW Act)
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) (NPW Act) is the main law in NSW that protects Aboriginal culture and heritage. The NPW Act is managed by the Minister for Energy and Environment with assistance from the National Parks and Wildlife Service along with its Chief Executive. The Office of Environment and Heritage is responsible for protecting Aboriginal culture …
Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (VIC)
Indigenous heritage is protected by a single Act within Victoria, the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (VIC) (Act), which protects Aboriginal Objects, Aboriginal Areas and Aboriginal cultural heritage. The Act is administered by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet. The Act protects Aboriginal cultural heritage and Aboriginal intangible heritage (s.1) which is defined to …