The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA) is a law in the state of Western Australia governing the protection of Aboriginal cultural sites.[1] The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (ACH Act[2]) was intended to replace the Act from 1 July 2023[3] but was revoked after only five weeks of operation.
The AHA protects all Aboriginal cultural heritage in Western Australia, whether or not heritage sites are registered or mapped by the Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage. Under the Act the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has the power to grant approval for any activity which would negatively impact Aboriginal heritage sites. Under the AHA, Aboriginal sites of outstanding importance can be declared Protected Areas. The AHA also provided protection for Aboriginal objects.[1][4]