Find a heritage training course

The 2025 State Heritage Conference, hosted by the Heritage Council of Western Australia, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Committee and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, will take place at The Esplanade Hotel, adjacent to Fremantle’s historic West End precinct on 12-13 May 2025.

Find out more

The 2024 regional Heritage Conference is jointly presented by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, the Heritage Council of Western Australia and the City of Albany.

The Conference will be held over two days in picturesque Albany, on the 24 and 25 October 2024.

Visit the Conference webpage to find out more.

Heritage courses available in Western Australia and Australia-wide.

Western Australia

Local Government Heritage Information Session

Local Government Authorities need to work within many different legislations including the Heritage Act 2018, Planning and Development Act 2005 and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Department can provide workshop sessions to Local Governments who may need some assistance to manage their legislative heritage obligations.

Heritage Planning Unit - Edith Cowan University

A unit providing 15 credit points that can be incorporated into several undergraduate courses. The course content introduces heritage and its relationship with the Australian town planning system. Available for on-site or remote learning.

Graduate Certificate in Architectural Conservation - University of Western Australia

A part-time post-graduate course covering the fundamentals of conservation theory and practice, including development and implementation of practical conservation solutions.  

Master of Philosophy (Creative Arts – Cultural Heritage Studies) - Curtin University

A higher degree by research that will focus on a supervised thesis, which must be a substantial contribution to the field and demonstrate your capacity to design and complete independent research. 

Interstate

Longford Academy (Tasmania)

A 6-day program in conservation of traditional structures and building fabric, this course is held periodically at Woolmers and Brickendon Estates in Longford, Tasmania, and delivered by the Association for Preservation Technology International. 

Aboriginal Studies - (La Trobe University)

A ten-month course delivered in nine intensive blocks of five days, at locations in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The course aims to provide skills and knowledge appropriate for working in the cultural heritage industry, particularly in relation to Aboriginal heritage.

Heritage Planning - La Trobe University 

Awards 15 credits for integration into related courses of under or post-graduate study. Covers heritage fundamentals including assessment of significance, preparing listing proposals, and application of heritage in a planning context. 

Postgraduate cultural heritage and museum studies - Deakin University

 As a graduate of this course, you will gain insight into the crucial roles of museums and community engagement in preserving cultural history. 

Graduate Certificate of Museum and Heritage Studies - Australian National University

This program prepares you for a career in museum and heritage studies or gives you an opportunity to commence further study to progress your career.

Master of Museum and Heritage Studies - Australian National University

Within the museum specialisation you’ll learn traditional curatorship and collections management, in addition to new areas such as such as social inclusion, citizenship and community engagement, social activism and museums, Indigenous curation and collection, and innovative visitor studies.

The following organisations offer training and development in one or more areas relevant to heritage conservation. If you are interested in training in an area that is not covered by a planned program you may wish to enquire about upcoming activities or customised events.

ABC Training Academy

Although primarily based in South Australia, this heritage-based building team is expanding into WA and may be able to provide future hands-on skills training. It posts regular updates on upcoming activities, which may include archaeology, stonework and lime workshops. ABC also invites proposals for bespoke training courses.

Email hsr@hsrsa.com or telephone 1300 853 003.
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Australian Concrete Repair Association

• Materials conservation focusing on concrete structures and finishes. Professional development program and events.
• Email info@acrassoc.com.au or telephone (02) 9645 3692 (NSW Office).

Australian Institute of Architects (WA)

• Regular PD sessions (Refuel) for members but open to others.  Architectural heritage, conservation in practice, case studies.
• Email wa@architecture.com.au or telephone 9324 3100.

Engineering Heritage Australia

• Heritage conservation, materials and fabric, engineering and industrial heritage.
• Email wa@engineersaustralia.org.au or telephone 9321 3340.

FACET (Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco-Tourism)

• Heritage tourism, interpretation, engagement. 
• Email facetinc@iinet.net.au or telephone 9448 8150.

Heritage Services Division, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.

• Heritage concepts, heritage in planning, legislative frameworks.
• Email info@dplh.wa.gov.au or telephone 6551 8002.

ICOMOS (International Committee on Monuments and Sites)

• Networking, Events and activities, primarily for members.
• Email austicomos@deakin.edu.au or telephone (03) 9251 7131.

Australian Museums and Galleries Association Incorporated (AMaGA)

• National association and peak advocacy body representing museums and galleries.
• Email general enquiries: info@amaga.org.au or telephone WA branch 0477 311 271

National Trust of Western Australia

• Materials workshops, investigation workshops, Australian Heritage Festival.
• Email trust@ntwa.com.au or telephone 9321 6088

Planning Institute of Australia

• Heritage for planners, planning concepts and frameworks. Professional development program and events. Occasional heritage content.  Primarily for members.
• Email membership@planning.org.au or telephone 9382 2100.

This presentation expands on the information provided in the Aboriginal Heritage webinar, first broadcast in November 2020.  It contains contact information and links relevant to Aboriginal heritage (DPLH), Aboriginal engagement (DPC), and Native Title settlements and ILUAs (DPLH). 

Property owners workshop recorded in May 2024 is particularly relevant to people who own or manage a State or locally listed place and would like to know more about heritage listings, development or change to a heritage place and incentives offered by the Heritage Council.

Watch the video heritage for property owners and managers

Local Government Heritage Basics, first presented on 8 May 2024 is particularly relevant to local government officers or elected members who are decision makers for heritage matters.

It provides an overview of what heritage is in the context of the built environment and how it applies to local government. The workshop covered an overview of heritage listings, what they mean for owners and local governments and several case studies on the development of heritage places were presented by City of Bayswater and City of Fremantle.

Watch the video Local Government heritage basics

In November 2020, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage staff presented a series of webinars for Local Government stakeholders.  The information presented was correct at the time the webinars were originally presented, however circumstances may have changed since.

Heritage in Planning, first presented on 3 November 2020, offers an introduction to historic heritage, defining key concepts in heritage and how the planning system engages with heritage.

Watch the video heritage in planning 

Aboriginal Heritage, first presented on 10 November 2020, with national and international interest on Aboriginal cultural heritage this presentation provides an overview of the management and protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage in Western Australia, the review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 and information on Indigenous Lands Use agreements and Native Title settlements in Western Australia.  

Watch the video aboriginal culture heritage in Western Australia

Heritage for Local Government, first presented on 17 November 2020, heritage is an essential part of our landscape and community identity in Western Australia.  In this presentation Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage staff explore the number of ways Local Governments and the link between heritage and history and importance of archology.  The presentation ends with a discussion on the development of Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP) and the Department’s RAP. 

Watch the video heritage for local government 

Conservation and development of State agency heritage assets, first presented on 25 March 2024, outlines best practice for managers of State owned and listed heritage places. A good understanding of the cultural heritage significance of the place and its physical form is critical to making informed decisions about its future use. The workshop uses case studies to show how State Government agencies manage and maintain their heritage assets, guide property maintenance and maximise returns - whether by redevelopment, sale or adaptive re-use.

Watch the video conserving and development of state agency heritage assets