ACHknowledge portal

The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Inquiry System (ACHIS) provides locations and information about known Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia. 

Launch ACHIS

The results will include past survey reports, places, protected areas and Native Title Parties. 
For more information and support, call the Department on (08) 6551 8002 to speak to one of our staff or complete the enquiry form.

Need help? 

You can download the full user guide or quick guide below or our team will be happy to help you complete your property search. 

To provide information about a possible Aboriginal site please go to https://achknowledge.dplh.wa.gov.au/ and choose 'Report or Update Aboriginal Cultural Heritage'.

This can also be used to provide additional information about a registered Aboriginal site or other Aboriginal heritage place.

Refer to the Aboriginal heritage search if you wish to access online or hardcopy information on Aboriginal sites and other Aboriginal heritage places.

Under section 15 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 the reporting of Aboriginal heritage is compulsory. This does not apply to Aboriginal people acting in accordance with Aboriginal tradition or customary law. You can provide details of any such knowledge using the ACHknowledge Portal.

The potential for land to contain Aboriginal sites varies across Western Australia. The level and amount of previous land use may be relevant in determining whether a person is likely to impact or harm Aboriginal heritage.

Particular landforms are more likely to contain Aboriginal sites and objects. These include rock outcrops and shelters, waterways, coastal waters and other water sources, and foreshores and dunes. Learn more about the types of Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia on the About Aboriginal Heritage page. 

In assessing whether a proposed land use may affect Aboriginal sites or objects, it is recommended that a land user take the following steps:

• Assess the likelihood of there being an Aboriginal site on the land – through an enquiry or ACHIS search or through consultation with Aboriginal people. More information on consultation is provided in the Consultation Policy.
• Consider the nature of your proposed activities and the potential for any harm to Aboriginal heritage in the area.
• Consider:
  • What might be the likely impact – for example, destruction, displacement, defacing or changing the nature or form of the Aboriginal heritage.
  • Would the harm be minimal, partial or total?

The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 Guidelines provide further advice on this process and, if required, the Department can be contacted for assistance.

If the landowner's risk assessment determines that there is an Aboriginal site that is likely to be harmed by the intended land use, it is the landowner’s responsibility to seek approval and obtain a section 18 Consent before commencing any work on the land that may harm the Aboriginal site.

A landowner needs to give a section 18 Notice to the Committee via the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites (Registrar) using the online ACHknowledge system or other manner approved by the Minister. The notice seeks the Minister's consent for the use of land for any purpose that may excavate, damage, destroy, conceal or in any way alter an Aboriginal site on the land, or otherwise be a breach of the Act.

The purpose and geographical location of the land use needs to be included in the notice as well as details of consultation undertaken with the relevant native title party.

Applicants are advised to contact the Department to discuss their proposed activity before submitting an application for a section 18 Consent.
 

Contact our Aboriginal heritage team using the enquiry form or call 6551 8002 and select Option 1.

For those who may need an approval, the ACHknowledge portal will allow you to:

• request advice
• lodge applications 
• view the progress of your applications
• update your contact details.

Users will need to register.