Earth resource industries and Traditional Owners

Earth resource industries in Victoria are required to meet a range of obligations to Aboriginal communities depending on the nature of the work and the location of their operations, including native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Native title

Native Title Act 1993

The Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 creates processes through which native title is recognised and protected in Australia. This primarily affects activities on crown land, which may include earth resource activities.

Read more about operators' obligations under the Native Title Act 1993.

Native title public advertisements

Section 29(3) of the Native Title Act 1993 requires Earth Resources Regulation to publicly advertise certain minerals licence applications for the information of potential native title parties.

View current advertisements under Section 29 of the Native Title Act 1993.

Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010

The Victorian Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 provides alternative recognition of native title to the Native Title Act 1993. It allows Traditional Owner groups to enter into out-of-court agreements with the State with regard to activities on crown land, including mining and mineral exploration.

Read more about the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 and how it interacts with earth resource industries in Victoria.

Aboriginal cultural heritage

Operators may be required to address issues of Aboriginal cultural heritage as part of their work programs. You can find out more information on cultural heritage requirements from First Peoples-State Relations.

Page last updated: 02 Nov 2022