Who may access the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register

The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register is not a publicly accessible register because it contains culturally sensitive information. The Register can be accessed by certain people or organisations who need detailed information on cultural heritage places and objects to protect and manage them. It can be accessed by:

• Registered Aboriginal Parties, or a person authorised on their behalf, for information about the area of their responsibility.
• A landowner to obtain information relating to the owner’s land.
• A cultural heritage advisor to carry out tasks required under the Act, or on behalf of a proposed development, user or purchaser of land to obtain information on any Aboriginal cultural heritage relevant to the land.
• A member of the Aboriginal Heritage Council or public sector employee for the purpose of administering and managing Aboriginal cultural heritage, including on Crown land.
• A local government employee for the purpose of carrying out functions or duties associated with the requirements of the Act.
• A person who has written approval to access the Register from the relevant Registered Aboriginal Party(ies), or the Aboriginal Heritage Council.

For parties who do not fit into any of the above categories, general enquiries about the presence of known Aboriginal cultural heritage places for a specific area can be made through an application to the Secretary, DPCD (see form below titled ‘Application for Advice’). This must be accompanied by a fee of $37.60.

Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register – Making applications

If you don’t use the internet, please email VAHR@dpcd.vic.gov.au to ask for an application form to be emailed to you. If you don’t have an email account, phone the Heritage Registry on 1800 762 003 to ask for an application form to be posted to you. Return the completed application form to the following address:

Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register

The Heritage Registrar
Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
PO Box 2392
MELBOURNE VIC 3001

Phone: 1 800 762 003
Fax: (03) 9208 3292
Email: vahr@dpcd.vic.gov.au

Certificates of Advice

If you do not own the land, you cannot access the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register, but you may Apply for ‘Advice as to existence of records on a nominated area of land’, and receive a certificate of advice, otherwise known by some as the Aboriginal heritage certificate.

This certificate clarifies whether any Aboriginal cultural heritage places or objects are located on the land, or if it falls within an area of Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity.

If any Aboriginal cultural heritage places or objects are registered on the land, the certificate will be accompanied by a listing of those registrations, including details of the Register name of the place or object, its GDA 94 coordinates, and an indication of the type of heritage involved.

When you apply online for an Aboriginal heritage certificate, please include an email address where possible. You will be provided with a reference number for your submitted application by automated email. The Aboriginal heritage certificate will also be emailed directly to you, once approved.

What does the certificate of Advice mean?

If your land has registered Aboriginal heritage places or objects on it, or is in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity, and you are considering large scale development or high impact activities, you may be required to complete a Cultural Heritage Management Plan.

Find out more information about Aboriginal cultural heritage and development.

Find out more information about the significance of areas of Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity.

How long will the certificate of Advice take? And how do I pay?

Please allow at least 10 business days turn around, from the date AAV receives your Application for Advice.

There is a fee for the service, which is $37.60 (GST incl.) for FY 2012/2013.

Electronic Funds Transfer can be made using the following bank and account details:
BSB: 033-222
A/C:  130573
Title of A/C: Department of Planning and Community Development
Bank: Westpac
Branch: 360 Collins Street Melbourne Vic
Email Remittance : accounts@dpcd.vic.gov.au

Please include your application reference number in the EFT comments field, so we can confirm the fee has been paid. Please also note that the certificate cannot be released until payment has been received.

What if I don’t use the internet, email or EFT?

If you don’t use the internet, please email VAHR@dpcd.vic.gov.au to ask for an application form to be emailed to you. If you don’t have an email account, phone the Heritage Registry on 1800 762 003 to ask for an application form to be posted to you. Upon approval, the certificate will then be posted to you.

Payment can also be made by cheque (made out to “Department of Planning and Community Development”) or money order, for those posting hardcopy versions of the Application to the address above.