ABORIGINAL HERITAGE ACT 2006

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

• 1 Purposes  
• 2 Commencement  
• 3 Objectives  
• 4 Definitions  
• 5 What is an Aboriginal place?  
• 6 Who is a native title party for an area?  
• 7 Traditional owners  
• 8 Heritage significance not affected by damage  
• 9 Act does not affect operation of Coroners Act 2008  
• 10 Native title rights and interests  
• 11 Act binds the Crown  

Division 1--Underlying principles

• 12 Principles  

Division 2--Aboriginal ancestral remains

• 14 Reporting and transfer of Aboriginal ancestral remains in custody of public entities and universities  
• 17 Reporting Aboriginal ancestral remains by persons other than coroner  
• 18 Council must determine how to act on report  
• 19 Transfer of Aboriginal ancestral remains to Council  
• 19A Transfer of Aboriginal ancestral remains to Council by coroner  
• 20 What must the Council do with transferred Aboriginal ancestral remains?  
• 20A Reporting of interment of Aboriginal ancestral remains outside of an Aboriginal place  

Division 3--Secret or sacred Aboriginal objects

• 21 Ownership of secret or sacred objects before the Aboriginal Heritage Amendment Act 2016  
• 21A Ownership of secret or sacred objects after the Aboriginal Heritage Amendment Act 2016  
• 21B What must the Council do with transferred secret or sacred objects?  
• 22 Return of secret or sacred objects by State entity  
• 23 Return of secret or sacred objects by other entities  

Division 4--Aboriginal places and objects

• 24 Reporting discovery of Aboriginal places and objects  
• 25 Continued use of surface of land  

Division 5--Role of the Museums Board

• 26 Role of Museums Board  

Division 1--Protection from harm

• 27 Harming Aboriginal cultural heritage unlawful  
• 28 A person must not harm Aboriginal cultural heritage  
• 29 When is harm permitted?  
• 30 Order to repair or restore Aboriginal cultural heritage  

Division 2--Acquisition and grant of land

• 31 Acquisition of Aboriginal place  
• 32 Grant of land  

Division 3--Control of activities

• 33 Possession of Aboriginal object  
• 34 Control of activities  
• 34A Surveys for Aboriginal cultural heritage  
• 35 Forfeiture of Aboriginal object to Crown  

Division 4--Cultural heritage permits

• 35A Definition  
• 36 Application for cultural heritage permit  
• 37 Restrictions on grant of permit  
• 40 Determination of application  
• 41 Conditions on cultural heritage permits  
• 41A Offence to fail to comply with cultural heritage permit  
• 41B Transfer of cultural heritage permits  
• 41C Amendments to cultural heritage permits  
• 41D Taking effect of cultural heritage permits  

PART 4--CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLANS

Division 1--What is a cultural heritage management plan?

• 42 What is a cultural heritage management plan?  
• 43 Procedure for assessment  
• 44 Who may prepare a plan?  
• 45 Voluntary cultural heritage management plan  
• 45A Amendments to approved cultural heritage management plans  

Division 2--When is a cultural heritage management plan required?

• 46 Mandatory cultural heritage management plans  
• 47 Regulations may require plan  
• 48 Minister may require plan  
• 49 Plan required if Environment Effects Statement required  
• 49A Plan required if impact management plan or comprehensive impact statement is required  

Division 2A--Preliminary Aboriginal heritage tests

• 49B Application for certification of preliminary Aboriginal heritage test  
• 49C Certification of preliminary Aboriginal heritage test  

Division 3--Other authorisations suspended until plan prepared

• 50 Definitions  
• 51 Application of Division  
• 52 Plan must be prepared before authorisation given  

Division 4--Preparation of cultural heritage management plans

• 53 Cultural heritage management plan to be prepared in accordance with prescribed standards  
• 54 Notice of intention to prepare cultural heritage management plan  
• 55 Registered Aboriginal parties may elect to evaluate plan  
• 56 Sponsor to notify Secretary of intention of registered Aboriginal party  
• 57 Newly registered Aboriginal parties  
• 58 Engagement of heritage advisor  
• 59 Obligations of sponsor and registered Aboriginal party  
• 60 Registered Aboriginal party may also advise  
• 60A Activity advisory groups  

Division 5--Approval of cultural heritage management plans

• 61 Matters to be considered in relation to a plan  
• 62 Application to registered Aboriginal party for approval  
• 63 Decision by registered Aboriginal party  
• 64 When does a plan approved by a registered Aboriginal party take effect?  
• 65 Approval by Secretary  
• 66 Approval by Council  
• 66A Amendments to approved cultural heritage management plans  

Division 6--General

• 67 Sponsor must give assessment documentation to Secretary  
• 67A Sponsor must comply with approved cultural heritage management plan  

PART 5--CULTURAL HERITAGE AGREEMENTS

Division 1--Making and amendment of agreements

• 68 What is a cultural heritage agreement?  
• 69 Parties to a cultural heritage agreement  
• 70 Form of cultural heritage agreement  
• 71 Amendment of cultural heritage agreement  
• 72 Agreement of no effect without consent of registered Aboriginal parties  
• 73 When does a cultural heritage agreement begin?  
• 74 When does a cultural heritage agreement end?  

Division 1A--Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreements

• 74A What is an Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement?  
• 74B Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement to be prepared in accordance with prescribed standards  
• 74C Conditions of Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement  
• 74D Notice of intention to enter into an Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement  
• 74E Copy of Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement must be given to Secretary  
• 74F Amendments to Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreements  
• 74G Offence to fail to comply with Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement  
• 74H Application of Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement if registration of registered Aboriginal party revoked or suspended  
• 74I When does an Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement begin?  
• 74J When does an Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement end?  

Division 2--Lodgement and registration of agreements

• 75 Cultural heritage agreements to be lodged with Secretary  
• 76 Registration of cultural heritage agreements  
• 77 Effect of registration  
• 78 Governor in Council may release covenant  
• 79 Cancellation or amendment of registration  

PART 5A--ABORIGINAL INTANGIBLE HERITAGE

• 79A Application of Part  
• 79B What is Aboriginal intangible heritage?  
• 79C Registration of Aboriginal intangible heritage  
• 79D Aboriginal intangible heritage agreements  
• 79E Form of Aboriginal intangible heritage agreement  
• 79F Registration of Aboriginal intangible heritage agreements  
• 79G Offence to use registered Aboriginal intangible heritage for commercial purposes  
• 79H Offence to fail to comply with a registered Aboriginal intangible heritage agreement  
• 79I Application of Aboriginal intangible heritage agreement if registration of certain parties revoked or suspended  
• 79J When does an Aboriginal intangible agreement begin?  
• 79K When does an Aboriginal intangible heritage agreement end?  
• 79L Evidentiary provision regarding Aboriginal intangible heritage  

PART 6--CULTURAL HERITAGE AUDITS, STOP ORDERS AND IMPROVEMENT NOTICES

Division 1--Cultural heritage audits

• 80 What is a cultural heritage audit?  
• 81 When can a cultural heritage audit be ordered?  
• 82 Requirement of cultural heritage audit  
• 83 Conduct of cultural heritage audit  
• 84 Report of cultural heritage audit  
• 85 Approval of report of audit  
• 86 Notification and effect of approval  

Division 2--Stop orders

• 87 When can a stop order be issued?  
• 88 Stop order required for cultural heritage audit  
• 89 What can a stop order do?  
• 90 How is a stop order delivered?  
• 91 How long does a stop order operate?  
• 92 Extension of stop order  
• 93 Revocation of stop order  
• 94 Further stop order  
• 95 Offence to fail to comply with stop order  

Division 3--24-hour stop orders

• 95A 24-hour stop orders  
• 95B Cancellation of 24-hour stop order  
• 95C Offence to fail to comply with 24-hour stop order  

Division 4--Improvement notices

• 95D Improvement notices  
• 95E Proceedings for offences not affected by improvement notices  
• 95F Offence to fail to comply with improvement notice  
• 95G Amendment of improvement notices  
• 95H Cancellation of improvement notices  

PART 7--PROTECTION DECLARATIONS

Division 1--Interim protection declarations

• 96 Interim protection declarations  
• 97 What must an interim protection declaration provide for?  
• 98 Period of interim protection declaration  
• 99 Amendment or revocation of interim protection declaration  
• 100 Minister to consult  
• 101 Publication of declaration  
• 102 Offence to contravene interim protection declaration  

Division 2--Ongoing protection declarations

• 103 Ongoing protection declarations  
• 104 What must an ongoing protection declaration provide for?  
• 105 Amendment or revocation of ongoing protection declaration  
• 106 Minister to consult  
• 107 Publication of declaration  
• 108 Offence to contravene ongoing protection declaration  

Division 3--General

• 109 Declaration has effect  
• 110 Notices relating to declarations  

Division 1--Disputes regarding cultural heritage management plans

• 111 Meaning of dispute  
• 112 What alternative dispute resolution includes  
• 113 Referral of disputes for alternative dispute resolution  
• 114 Costs of alternative dispute resolution  
• 115 Statements made during alternative dispute resolution not admissible  
• 116 Sponsor may apply to VCAT  
• 117 Parties to proceeding  
• 118 Decision of VCAT  
• 119 VCAT to consider certain matters  
• 120 VCAT to be satisfied of certain matters  

Division 2--Disputes regarding cultural heritage permits

• 121 Applicant for cultural heritage permit may apply to VCAT  
• 122 Parties to proceeding  
• 123 Decision of VCAT  
• 124 VCAT to be satisfied of certain matters  

Division 3--Disputes regarding protection declaration decisions

• 125 What is a protection declaration decision?  
• 126 Review of protection declaration decisions  
• 127 Parties to proceeding  
• 128 Decision of VCAT  
• 129 VCAT to have regard to certain matters  

Division 1--Aboriginal Heritage Council

• 130 Establishment of Council  
• 131 Membership  
• 132 Functions of the Council  
• 132A Delegation of Council's functions  
• 133 Functions of the Chairperson  
• 134 Payment of members  
• 135 Resignation and removal  
• 136 Acting members  
• 137 Alternate members  
• 137A Terms and conditions for alternate members  
• 138 Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson  
• 139 Procedure of the Council  
• 140 Effect of a vacancy or defect  
• 141 Immunity from liability  
• 142 Conflict of interest  
• 142A Council advisory committees  
• 142B Procedure for advisory committees  
• 142C Remuneration  

Division 2--The Secretary

• 143 Functions of the Secretary  

Division 3--Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register

• 144 Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register  
• 144A Purposes of the Register  
• 145 What is in the Register?  
• 146 Who may access the Register?  
• 146A Accessing the Register for sensitive information  
• 147 Secretary may provide advice to persons or bodies seeking access to Register  
• 147A Offence to knowingly or recklessly use information for prohibited purposes  

Division 1--Functions of registered Aboriginal parties

• 148 Functions of a registered Aboriginal party  
• 149 Registered Aboriginal party must act in good faith  

Division 2--Application and registration

• 150 Application for registration  
• 151 Determination of application for registration  
• 152 Effect of determination  
• 153 Parties for area  
• 154 Notice of determination  
• 154A Conditions of registration  
• 155 Variation of registration  
• 156 Suspension and revocation of registration  
• 157 Procedure for suspension or revocation of registration  
• 158 Review of decisions of the Council  
• 158A Further registration of existing registered Aboriginal parties  

PART 10A--ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND

• 158B Establishment of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund  
• 158C Payments into Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund  
• 158D Payments out of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund  
• 158E Power of Council to borrow money  
• 158F Power of Council to accept gifts  
• 158G Acquisition and sale of land by Council  
• 158H Rates of interest on loans  

Division 1--Authorised officers

• 159 Functions of authorised officers  
• 160 Appointment of authorised officers  
• 161 Re-appointment of authorised officers  
• 162 Suspension and revocation of appointment  
• 163 Cessation of appointment  
• 164 Identity cards  
• 165 Authorised officer to produce identity card  

Division 1A--Aboriginal heritage officers

• 165A Functions of Aboriginal heritage officers  
• 165B Appointment of Aboriginal heritage officers  
• 165C Suspension and revocation of appointment  
• 165D Identity cards  
• 165E Aboriginal heritage officer to produce identity card  

Division 2--Powers of authorised officers and Aboriginal heritage officers

• 166 General power to enter land or premises  
• 167 Obtaining the consent of the occupier  
• 168 Power to enter land or premises open to public  
• 169 Power to enter land or premises for audit  
• 170 Search powers upon entry  
• 171 Seizure powers on entry without search warrant  
• 172 Seizure power without consent  
• 173 Search warrants  
• 174 Announcement before entry  
• 175 Copy of search warrant to be given to occupier  
• 176 Receipt for seized things  
• 177 Security of seized things  
• 178 Seizure of Aboriginal ancestral remains or object  
• 179 Return of seized things  
• 180 Authorised officer or Aboriginal heritage officer may require giving of name and address  
• 181 Authorised officer or Aboriginal heritage officer may require information  
• 182 Authorised officer may take affidavits  
• 183 Person must not give false information etc.  

Division 3--General

• 184 Report to be given about entry  
• 185 Person must not impersonate, obstruct or hinder authorised officer or Aboriginal heritage officer  
• 186 Who may prosecute?  
• 187 Evidence  
• 187A Criminal liability of officers of bodies corporate—failure to exercise due diligence  
• 187B Time for bringing proceedings  

• 188 Delegation  
• 189 Heritage advisor  
• 190 Approval of forms  
• 191 Tax and rate remissions  
• 192 Report on operation of Act  
• 194 Regulations  

• 196 Saving and transitional provisions  
• 197 Validation provision  
• 198 Savings and transitional provisions—Aboriginal Heritage Amendment Act 2016  
• SCHEDULE 1
ENDNOTES