Application to use land (Section 18 notices)

The Aboriginal Material Cultural Committee (ACMC) considers applications from landowners to use land on which Aboriginal sites and objects are located. The Committee then recommends to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs whether consent should be given to use the land for the purpose sought.

After the Minister considers the ACMC recommendations and also regards the general interest of the community he or she will either grant consent to the use of the land for the purpose sought or refuse to consent. If the Minister consents, conditions may be attached to the use of the land.

Steps to approval of your application

• DIA encourages you to liaise with a DIA heritage officer to ensure your application includes relevant and appropriate information.
• You prepare and develop your application using the template provided by DIA.
• You submit your application to the Register at DIA.
• DIA assesses the application.
• If application is adequate DIA includes it on ACMC agenda. (more information)
• ACMC assesses application and makes a recommendation.
• Minister for Indigenous Affairs decides.

Preparing and lodging an application

DIA encourages applicants to use the DIA template for lodging an application to use land. The use of the template ensures that applicants provide complete and relevant information to the ACMC.

Click here to download the template and the completion checklist.

Information required by DIA

DIA presents applications to the ACMC when the information allows an informed assessment under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. An application under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 must include the following:

1. A Section 18 Notice application form, completed and signed by the owner of the land and/or applicant. An applicant who is not the owner of the land must include a letter of authorisation signed by the land owner to undertake the purpose described in the application.
2. A cover letter addressing the application and supporting documentation.
3. A list of attachments/inclusions, e.g. Certificates of Title, photographs, maps.
4. Final coloured versions of Aboriginal heritage survey reports.  Draft reports will not be accepted.
5. DIA Aboriginal site recording forms must be submitted for all newly recorded sites and all previously registered sites that have new information recorded as part of the Section 18 application process. All photographs, diagrams and maps must be in colour. Site recording forms are considered as part of the application.
6. Five copies of all documents are required, collated to make five individual ‘packages’ with all attachments and inclusions (but not in a bound single volume). All maps / diagrams / photographs must be in colour for each copy.
7. Two digital copies of the application package, inclusive of all attachments, maps, spatial data (shapefile format preferred), on CD or other digital media.

How to submit your application

You should lodge your application with the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites at DIA.

Access to Aboriginal site files and Heritage survey reports

You can access Aboriginal site files and Heritage survey reports online or in person and the DIA head office in Perth.

For mapping information, digital data, aerial photography and online products contact Landgate, Sales & Product Enquiries.