Care agreements
Many Aboriginal communities wish to have care of Aboriginal objects which have been excavated, disturbed or moved by development activities, erosion or other processes.
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act) allows the transfer of Aboriginal objects to an Aboriginal person or Aboriginal organisation for safekeeping. The person or organisation must enter into a care agreement with OEH.
A care agreement is a document that sets out the obligations of OEH and the Aboriginal person or Aboriginal organisation for the long-term safekeeping of the transferred Aboriginal object(s). The Aboriginal person or organisation does not become the owner of the Aboriginal objects.
A person or organisation wanting to be a custodian for objects can apply for a transfer of those objects to themselves using the application form below. There is no cost to do this.
If you are applying to be custodian of Aboriginal objects that are also subject to an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) or an application for an AHIP, it is important that you discuss the management of the objects with the Registered Aboriginal Parties for that application.
Care agreement application form
To apply for a care agreement for the transfer of Aboriginal objects to an Aboriginal person or Aboriginal organisation:
1. download and fill in an application for the transfer of Aboriginal objects for safekeeping form (20110914TransferObject.pdf, 394KB)
2. send your completed form, along with any supporting documentation, to your nearest OEH regional office.
If you need any help filling out the form, please contact your nearest OEH regional office.
Note: If you are intending to request that the Australian Museum Trust holds Aboriginal objects collected under the terms of this AHIP, contact the Australian Museum as soon as possible and refer to the Australian Museum’s Archaeological Collection Deposition Policy and Protocols for the Deposition of Archaeological Materials.
Metropolitan
Parramatta
Office of Environment & Heritage (NSW)
Planning and Aboriginal Heritage Section
PO Box 668
Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: (02) 9995 5000
Fax: (02) 9995 6900
North East
Coffs Harbour
Office of Environment & Heritage (NSW)
Planning and Aboriginal Heritage Section
Locked Bag 914
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Phone: (02) 6651 5946
Fax: (02) 6651 6187
North West
Dubbo
Office of Environment & Heritage (NSW)
Environment and Conservation Programs
PO Box 2111
Dubbo NSW 2830
Phone: (02) 6883 5330
Fax: (02) 6884 9382
South
Queanbeyan
Office of Environment & Heritage (NSW)
Landscape and Aboriginal Heritage Protection Section
PO Box 733
Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Phone: (02) 6229 7000
Fax: (02) 6229 7001
Page last updated: 27 April 2012
