Relationships That Produce
Genuine Agreement
Native Title and Cultural Heritage compliance is where regulatory process meets genuine human relationships. Getting it wrong delays projects. Getting it right, by building real trust with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Heritage bodies, creates agreements that hold for the life of your operation.
End-to-End Native Title and Heritage Compliance
Future Act processes — managing the full Native Title Act future act regime from notification through to agreement, including expedited procedures and right to negotiate processes.
ILUA negotiation — preparation, negotiation and registration of Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) including the practical drafting of operational terms that work on the ground.
State and territory Aboriginal heritage consent and permit instruments — preparation, negotiation and management of the principal heritage consent under each jurisdiction's framework:
- WASection 18 consents under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, restored as the operative legislation on 15 November 2023 following the repeal of the short-lived Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021, now operating with amended consent, new-information and SAT review provisions.
- SASection 23 authorisations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988, as amended by the Aboriginal Heritage (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024 (in force 1 January 2025): a notoriously complex jurisdiction where our principal has direct operational experience.
- VICCultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) and Cultural Heritage Permits under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, coordinated with Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs).
- QLDDuty-of-care assessments and CHMPs under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003.
- NSWAboriginal Heritage Impact Permits (AHIPs) under Part 6 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, supported by Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Reports and AHIMS searches.
- NTAuthority Certificates under sections 19B and 22 of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989, issued by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) and updated by the 2025 amendments allowing transferable certificates.
- TASPermits and Aboriginal Heritage Council review under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975, with replacement legislation (Aboriginal Heritage Bill 2026) currently before Parliament.
Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) — preparation of CHMPs as the statutory consent instrument under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (VIC) and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (QLD), and as negotiated agreements coordinated with ILUAs in other jurisdictions. CHMPs are drafted to meet the legislative tests for approval and to reflect genuine agreement with Traditional Owner groups, RAPs (VIC), or Native Title parties.
Heritage survey coordination — managing the logistics, documentation and regulatory requirements of heritage survey programs.
Ongoing agreement management — monitoring and managing compliance with ILUA and heritage agreement obligations through the project lifecycle.
Breakdown recovery — where consultation relationships have fractured, we bring direct negotiation experience to rebuilding productive engagement.
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native title & cultural heritage?
Contact us to discuss your project's regulatory and compliance requirements.