Apply for an Aboriginal heritage impact permit

Gather your essential documents

These include:

• AHIP application form (DOC 115KB)
• an Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment report, prepared in line with the Guide to Investigating, Assessing and Reporting on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in NSW and Heritage NSW requirements. See Aboriginal objects and places for details.
• if you’re following an integrated development application process, include your development consent and approved stamped plans or equivalent, for all types of projects (except test excavation AHIPs). 

Hard copies of documents are not required.

Pay the fee

Pay the application fee – payment details are included on the application form.

Lodge your application

Lodge your application form and the essential documents by email: heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au.

You can submit files that exceed email limits using Dropbox. Share the Dropbox link with heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Your application is checked for completeness within 14 days.

Application assessment

Once accepted as complete, your application is allocated for assessment and the application clock starts. The timeframe is 60 days.

The application is assessed to consider the nature and extent of harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage. Internal specialists may provide input.

You may be contacted to discuss your application, provide additional information, and/or clarify details. The application clock stops until the requested information is received.

An assessment report is then prepared with recommendations for determination.

Application outcome

The Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment is the approval body; however, most applications are determined by Heritage NSW as delegate.

You will be informed of the outcome in writing.