Aboriginal heritage surveys
What is an Aboriginal heritage survey?
If you lodge an application with the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) to develop land on which an Aboriginal site is located, your application needs to include an Aboriginal heritage survey. This is a report of archaeological, ethnographic, Aboriginal community consultation or other type of heritage survey. It should provide all relevant information about the importance and significance of any Aboriginal sites on the land.
In the report you should particularly consider the criteria specified in section 5 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA) for determining whether a place is an Aboriginal site and the criteria in section 39(2) and (3) for evaluating the importance of places and objects.
Forms of heritage research
To identify the importance of Aboriginal heritage on a piece of land you should conduct two forms of research:
There are a number of survey types in which the research can be conducted:
- Desk Top Study, a preliminary investigation of Aboriginal heritage
- Site identification survey
- Work area clearance survey
- Site avoidance survey
For more information or to download the contract templates, click here.
Guidelines for heritage surveys
DIA has designed guidelines to give applicants, owners of land, researchers and consultants an indication of the type and quality of information that will help the ACMC form an opinion on whether there is an Aboriginal site, evaluate its importance and significance and give its recommendation to the Minister. It will also help DIA to accurately register Aboriginal sites.
Guidelines how to prepare an Aboriginal heritage survey
You can also download the brochure Aboriginal heritage survey reports, guidelines for preparing reports here.
Note
These guidelines should be read in conjunction with other standards and/or guidelines issued by DIA. They may change from time to time. It is your responsibility to keep up to date with the latest guidelines.
Access to site files and heritage survey reports
You can access heritage survey information online in the Register of Aboriginal Sites. You can also access the Aboriginal site files and heritage survey reports in hard copy at the DIA head office in Perth. You should make an appointment for viewing the files at DIA:
Access will be provided according to the DIA Information Access Policy.
Lodgement heritage survey reports
DIA encourages you to lodge Aboriginal heritage survey reports with the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites. You can also lodge heritage survey information online.