The Act recognises that some Aboriginal heritage is of outstanding significance and requires a declaration as a protected area.
The purpose of declaring a protected area is to provide special protection from activities that may harm Aboriginal heritage. It offers the highest level of protection to Aboriginal heritage under the Act by vesting exclusive use and occupation of the area in the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and by empowering the Minister to make regulations relating to use and access of protected areas.
There are currently 78 protected areas across Western Australia.
