ABORIGINAL HERITAGE ACT 1972

Table of Provisions

• Long Title

PART I -- Preliminary  

• 1 Short title
 
• 2 Commencement
 
• 4 Terms used in this Act

PART II -- Application and traditional use  

• 5 Application to places
 
• 6 Application to objects
 
• 7 Traditional use
 
• 8 Availability for traditional use
 
• 9 Traditional custodians

PART III -- Administration  

• 10 Duty of the Minister
 
• 11 Minister a body corporate
 
• 11A Administration
 
• 13 Powers of delegation
 
• 14 Compensation on statutory vesting

PART IV -- Protection of Aboriginal sites  

• 15 Report of findings
 
• 16 Excavation of Aboriginal sites
 
• 17 Offences relating to Aboriginal sites
 
• 18 Consent to certain uses
 
• 18A Premier may call in application to State Administrative Tribunal for review
 
• 18B Change in ownership of land subject of s. 18 consent
 
• 19 Protected areas
 
• 20 Temporarily protected areas
 
• 21 Objection to declaration
 
• 22 Compensation and compulsory acquisition
 
• 23 Marking of protected areas
 
• 24 Notification of changes etc.
 
• 25 Variation of Orders in Council
 
• 26 Regulations as to protected areas
 
• 27 Covenants

PART 5 -- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Committee  

• 28 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Committee established
 
• 29 Composition of Committee
 
• 30 Procedures
 
• 31 Remuneration of members of Committee or subcommittee
 
• 32 Regulations about Committee
 
• 37 Registrar of Aboriginal Sites
 
• 38 Register of places and objects
 
• 39 Functions of the Committee

PART VI -- Protection for Aboriginal objects  

• 39A Consultation between Minister and Trustees concerning administration of Part VI
 
• 39B Minister may delegate to Trustees under Part VI
 
• 39C Registrar may act on Minister’s behalf
 
• 39D Minister to consult with Committee
 
• 40 Aboriginal cultural material
 
• 41 Notification and production of objects
 
• 42 Retention by Minister
 
• 43 Restrictions on dealing with Aboriginal cultural material
 
• 44 Prices to be at local rates
 
• 45 Minister may purchase as agent
 
• 46 Vesting of objects and inquiries into origin
 
• 47 Compulsory acquisition of objects
 
• 48 Restriction on exhibition of objects
 
• 49 Prohibition on publication

PART VII -- Enforcement  

• 50 Honorary wardens
 
• 51 Powers of inspection
 
• 52 Power of officers to represent the Minister
 
• 53 Proceedings by the Minister
 
• 54 Persons obstructing execution of this Act
 
• 55 Breach of conditions
 
• 56 Secrecy
 
• 57 Penalties
 
• 58 Liability of officers for offence by body corporate
 
• 59 Forfeiture
 
• 60 Evidence
 
• 61 Presumption as to notices
 
• 62 Special defence of lack of knowledge

PART VIII -- General  

• 66 Authority to perform certain functions in relation to Crown land for purposes of this Act
 
• 67 Indemnity
 
• 67A Fees regulations
 
• 68 Regulations

PART 9 -- Transitional provisions for Aboriginal Heritage Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2023  

• 69 Terms used
 
• 70 Application of Interpretation Act 1984
 
• 71 Transitional regulations
 
• 72 Abolition of bodies and appointment of members of Committee
 
• 73 Protected area orders
 
• 74 Previous consents under s.
 
• 75 Previous other authorisations, approvals and consents
 
• 76 ACH permits
 
• 77 ACH management plans
 
• 78 Marandoo Act area
 
• 79 Completion of certain things commenced
 
• 80 Orders etc. under 2021 Act cease to have effect
 
• 81 Information and documents on ACH Directory
 
• 82 Aboriginal ancestral remains
 
• 83 Secret or sacred objects
 
• 84 Offences
 
• 85 Dealing with seized things
 
• 86 Application of Criminal and Found Property Disposal Act 2006
 
• 87 Closure of accounts
  Uncommenced provisions table   Other notes Defined terms