Heritage Advisor | Aboriginal Heritage & Land Access

RFF Pty Ltd; Western Australia; On-site; AUD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Superannuation

Job summary

RFF Pty Ltd is seeking a Heritage Advisor to support Aboriginal heritage, land access, and project delivery across regional Western Australia. This Perth-based role offers opportunities to work with Traditional Owners and government partners on practical outcomes.

You will develop expertise in heritage protection, risk assessments, due diligence and stakeholder engagement, with support from senior staff and a collaborative team. Travel to regional WA may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience in heritage protection agreements, due diligence, risk assessment or approvals.
• Familiarity with Aboriginal Heritage Act and Native Title related processes is a plus.
• Strong research and written communication skills; attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing, negotiating and implementing heritage protection agreements under senior guidance.
• Undertake heritage due diligence by reviewing records, surveys and approvals to identify risks.
• Prepare heritage risk assessments, briefing notes and client advice with options and controls.
• Support engagement with Traditional Owners, PBCs, Aboriginal organisations and proponents.
• Assist with section 18 processes under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA).
• Coordinate heritage surveys, specialist advice and project records to support delivery.
• Assist with land tenure investigations, native title matters and related statutory research.

Skills

Heritage protection

Due diligence

Risk assessment

Stakeholder engagement

Research

Written communication

Organisation

Attention to detail

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Heritage-related degree or practical experience in anthropology, social science, planning, law, or environmental studies

Tools

GIS

WA heritage and land tenure information systems

Job description

Heritage Advisor | Aboriginal Heritage & Land Access

$125,000 – $135,000 per year + bonus + super

Help deliver practical Aboriginal heritage outcomes across regional Western Australia.

About RFF

At RFF, we work at the intersection of land, culture and development, supporting projects that create long term value for Western Australia's regions while respecting Aboriginal cultural heritage and Traditional Owner interests.

Our work with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal organisations, industry and government is practical, relationship focused and centred on achieving positive outcomes for clients and communities.

Why join RFF?

Contribute to meaningful Aboriginal heritage and regional development projects across Western Australia.

Work alongside experienced advisors and develop your technical expertise through mentoring and practical project delivery.

Build relationships with Traditional Owners, Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), Aboriginal organisations, government and industry.

Join a collaborative team that values initiative, sound judgement, respectful engagement and practical solutions.

The role

We are seeking a Heritage Advisor to join our Perth team, supporting Aboriginal heritage, land access and project delivery across regional Western Australia.

This is an opportunity for someone with relevant heritage experience or transferable skills from a related discipline who wants to further develop their expertise.

Working alongside senior RFF staff, you will assist with heritage protection agreements, due diligence, heritage risk assessments, statutory approvals and stakeholder engagement.

We recognise that Aboriginal heritage and land access work requires a broad range of skills. You do not need experience across every aspect of the role, provided you bring relevant capabilities, a respectful approach and a genuine willingness to learn.

What you'll be doing

Assist with preparing, negotiating, coordinating and implementing heritage protection agreements under senior guidance, including tracking commitments and obligations.

Undertake heritage due diligence by reviewing heritage records, survey reports, agreements, approvals and proposed works to identify risks and information gaps.

Prepare practical heritage risk assessments, briefing notes, research summaries and client advice, identifying options, controls and matters requiring further consideration.

Support engagement with Traditional Owners, PBCs, Aboriginal organisations and proponents, according to the instructions and scope of each client engagement.

Assist with section 18 processes under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA), including documentation, consultation records, specialist inputs and approval conditions.

Coordinate heritage surveys, specialist advice, project records and deliverables to support effective project delivery.

Assist with land tenure investigations, native title matters, related statutory research, fee estimates and project administration.

About you

We welcome applicants with experience in Aboriginal heritage, land access or related fields, as well as those with transferable skills and an interest in developing their knowledge.

Ideally, you will bring some of the following:

Experience or exposure to heritage protection agreements, heritage due diligence, risk assessment, approvals or PBC engagement.

Some understanding of relevant WA and Commonwealth legislation, including the Aboriginal Heritage Act, Native Title Act, Land Administration Act or Mining Act, or a willingness to develop this knowledge.

Strong research, written communication, organisation and attention to detail.

A respectful and culturally sensitive approach to working with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities.

Sound judgement, initiative and the ability to work collaboratively while learning from experienced colleagues.

Qualifications or practical experience in heritage, anthropology, social science, planning, law, environmental studies, land administration or related fields would be well regarded.

Familiarity with GIS or WA heritage and land tenure information systems would be an advantage, but is not essential.

Location

This is a full time position based in our Perth office, with opportunities for travel to regional and remote Western Australia as required for project work.