OEH Trade of Aboriginal Cultural Materials Policy and Community Guide

The trade of Aboriginal cultural material is a concern for both Aboriginal communities and the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH). The Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is responsible for the proper care, preservation and protection of Aboriginal Objects and Aboriginal Places within the state of New South Wales.

The objectives of the OEH Trade of Aboriginal Cultural Materials Policy are to:
Assist OEH staff in identifying appropriate options when responding to notifications concerning the sale of Aboriginal cultural materials,

• Raise awareness within the trading house industry of the community attitudes in relation to the trade of Aboriginal cultural materials,
• Assist Aboriginal communities to respond to the trade of Aboriginal cultural material,
• Assist in identifying potential circumstances in which OEH may be required to exercise its regulatory powers pursuant to the NPW Act.

The Office of Environment and Heritage recognises that in some circumstances it is culturally inappropriate for Aboriginal cultural material to be in the possession of persons or entities other than members of the custodian Aboriginal community. OEH also recognises that there may be circumstances where the community has requested alternative custodianship and as such, will be guided by the respective Aboriginal community in relation to that custodianship.

Download the OEH Trade of Aboriginal Cultural Materials Policy  (110824TACMPOL.pdf, 162 KB)

Download the OEH Community Guide to the Trade of Aboriginal Cultural Materials Policy (110825TACMPOLGDE.pdf, 54 KB)