The Department has closed submissions for feedback on the draft Bill. We would like to thank and acknowledge everyone who has made a submission.
The draft bill provides for the recognition, protection and management of Aboriginal heritage, to establish the Aboriginal Heritage Council, and repeal the
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975.
It responds to the findings of the legislative review in 2019-20. A copy of the review, timeline of the consultation, and related background information are available on the
Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania page for the proposed legislation.
To view the draft Bill and explanatory materials please visit:
Details about the key changes to the current legislation are available at these pages:
Next steps
30 March 2026 - 6 July 2026
| Public Consultation Submissions
| Closed
|
July - August
| Review Consultation Feedback
| In progress
|
August 2026
| Public Consultation Themes
| Upcoming
|
August to October 2026
| Draft Bill reviewed in response to feedback
| Upcoming
|
Late 2026
| Bill tabled in Parliament
| Upcoming
|
Further Engagement
The Government will continue to work with Tasmanian Aboriginal people and organisations to seek guidance on appropriate consultation approaches and governance to inform the draft Bill.
Implementation
The draft Bill provides for Regulations, Guidelines and other instruments to provide detailed guidance on how the Act will operate. For example, the proposed Regulations will:
Outline the process for registering Aboriginal Heritage – including new nomination processes where appropriate
Set thresholds for activities that require Management Plans
Specify decisions, other than those set out in the Act itself, that will be appealable
Set regulatory fees
Set penalties for Infringement Notices
The draft Regulations, and associated Regulation Impact Statement, will be informed by consultation on the draft Bill and continuing engagement.
Acknowledging that these details are important to inform the final Bill, the intent is to complete the development of the Regulations and the required impact assessment prior to the Bill being debated in Parliament.