Member of Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council

The Council is an independent statutory body established under the Act with several important functions relating to Aboriginal cultural heritage management in Victoria. These include but are not limited to:

• Advising the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples on Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria
• making decisions about applications from Traditional Owners to become Registered Aboriginal Parties
• overseeing the reporting and return of Ancestral Remains and Secret or Sacred Objects
• promoting awareness and understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

For ordinary members the duties are as below:

• Attend scheduled Council meetings, and relevant Advisory Committee meetings.
• Ensure adequate preparation for Council meetings to be able to contribute, clearly articulate points of view or concerns and work collaboratively with other Council members and relevant stakeholders as required.
• Demonstrate VPS values on behalf of the Council in all interactions.

Time commitment

The Council meets approximately six times each year for a period of two days. In addition, the Council has established a small number of specialist Advisory committees to assist Council with its functions. These committees meet on an as needs, ad hoc basis.

Board meetings are held in Melbourne, regional locations and online.

Term of appointment

In accordance with the Act, members may be appointed for an initial term of up to three years. Members are eligible for reappointment.

In accordance with s131 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (the Act), members of the Council must be an Aboriginal person who:

• Is a Traditional Owner or can demonstrate traditional ownership of an area in Victoria; and
• Is resident in Victoria; and
• Has relevant experience or knowledge of Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria.

The Council is comprised of 11 members appointed by the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples.

Desirable skills and attributes

• Demonstrated accountability, integrity, and honesty
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and planning
• Previous experience in governance
• Previous work under the Act.

Please email your CV and written expression of interest (which can be found at Council's website: https://www.aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/become-member-aboriginal-heritage-council), addressing the above criteria to: vahc@dpc.vic.gov.au

Expressions of Interest must be received by 5pm on Thursday 25 September 2025.

For further information, please contact the Office of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council.

E: vahc@dpc.vic.gov.au

T: 03 9922 7002(opens in a new window)

W: aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au