For over 230 years Aboriginal ancestral remains and objects have been removed from their communities and held in collections across Australia and worldwide.
What to do if you have Aboriginal remains or objects
If you have Aboriginal remains or objects in your possession contact the Environment Line by phone 131 555 or email info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Do not post or bring the remains or objects to us.
Apply for a care agreement if you wish to transfer Aboriginal objects to an Aboriginal person or Aboriginal organisation for safekeeping.
What to do if you find human remains
If you suspect you have found human remains in the landscape, do not disturb them and contact the local police station immediately.
The police will contact us and the State Coroner’s Office as part of investigating the origins of the remains.
Our program
To support the repatriation of ancestral remains and objects we work with:
- Aboriginal communities
- Australian Government
- Australian museums
- State, Territory and local governments
- collecting institutions
- private collectors.
We advise the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee on our repatriation program. We support repatriation efforts through:
- conducting research to understand where the Aboriginal ancestors or objects were taken from
- engaging with communities, landholders and agencies to help coordinate returns
- working with museums by sending community representatives to identify Aboriginal ancestors and objects
- organising travel for community representatives to collect Aboriginal ancestors and objects across Australia (if the Aboriginal ancestors are connected to NSW)
- funding the preparation, packing, transportation and freight of Aboriginal ancestors and objects for return
- assist the community with on-ground logistics, e.g. applying for permits (if required) or using exemptions, preparing burial sites and helping to conserve the site after the reburial.
- recording the site in the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS)
- facilitating return to Country celebrations.