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Cultural heritage management plans, permits, agreements and tests

Processes under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 for managing and protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Cultural Heritage Management Plans

A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) assesses the potential impact of a proposed activity on Aboriginal cultural heritage. It then outlines measures to be taken before, during and after an activity to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in the area.

For some activities proposed in some areas, a cultural heritage management plan is required by law.

Cultural heritage management plans

Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test

The Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test (PAHT) provides sponsors with certainty about whether a cultural heritage management plan (CHMP) is required for a proposed activity.

The Secretary to the Department of Premier and Cabinet certifies whether a CHMP is required for a proposed activity.

Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test

Cultural Heritage Permits

A Cultural Heritage Permit is required if you plan to:

  • disturb or excavate land to uncover or discover Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
  • rehabilitate land at an Aboriginal place
  • carry out research on an Aboriginal place
  • carry out an activity that will, or is likely to, harm Aboriginal cultural heritage
  • sell an Aboriginal object (where it was not made for the purpose of sale)
  • remove an Aboriginal cultural heritage object from Victoria

You need a cultural heritage permit for these activities even if you don't require a CHMP.

Cultural Heritage Permits

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreements

An Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreement (ACHLMA) is a voluntary agreement between a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) and a ‘public land manager’ (PLM).

An ACHLMA provides a mutually agreed framework for protecting and managing Aboriginal cultural heritage during ongoing, routine land management activities within a RAP area.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreements

Aboriginal Heritage Protection Declarations and Cultural Heritage Agreements

Some Aboriginal cultural heritage places are of particular significance to Aboriginal people and the broader Victorian community, and require special protection. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs is able to declare such places ‘protected areas’, to be protected and preserved for future generations.

Landowners and managers are also able to enter into voluntary formal agreements with a relevant RAP to manage and protect important Aboriginal places on their properties.

Aboriginal Heritage Protection Declarations and Cultural Heritage Agreements

Archaeological surveys and investigations

The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 establishes certain requirements for a person who intends to carry out a survey for Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Archaeological surveys and investigations

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