Program Certificate III in Indigenous Cultural Heritage Assessment (Indigenous Archaeological Foundations)
Prepare for a career protecting cultural heritage sites with the Certificate III in Indigenous Cultural Heritage Assessment (Indigenous Archaeological Foundations) (11339NAT).
This program takes you through identifying, protecting and managing Indigenous cultural sites in Australia. You'll also learn how to use a range of digital and physical techniques to preserve areas and objects of significance.
Topics include:
- Indigenous cultural protocols
- legal process and compliance
- predictive landscape archaeology and environmental skills
- archaeological test-pitting and curating
- identifying and recording artefacts, geological or geographic features, plants and animals
- artefact identification and preservation skills.
UQ Skills delivers this training in partnership with Nyanda Life Ltd, an Aboriginal-owned enterprise that has its cultural and professional groundings in Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment and archaeology.
How you’ll learn
This program is offered over 24 weeks through a combination of:
- online study
- practical workplace training
- workshops on Country.
There are 3 study periods run over 8 weeks, containing:
- 15 days of online and work integrated learning
- a 3-day workshop run on Country in weeks 2 and 6.
Accelerated training for Traditional Owners
An accelerated 9-week version of this program is available for Traditional Owners with established skills and knowledge related to cultural heritage assessment and protocols for working effectively on Country.
The accelerated program contains 3 study periods run over 3 weeks:
- 5 days of online and work integrated learning
- a 4-day workshop run on Country in week 2.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including written quizzes, projects and practical demonstrations.
Start date
5 August 2025
This program can be run at regional locations around Australia on request. Contact us for details.
Locations require minimum numbers to go ahead.
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
You'll need access to an appropriate in-field cultural heritage environment for the workshops on Country. Where possible, it’s preferable for non-Indigenous students to learn in conjunction with Traditional Owners in a culturally relevant space. Where that’s not possible UQ Skills and Nyanda Life Ltd will provide students with a suitable practice environment.
All UQ Skills programs require access to a computer with a Windows operating system, up-to-date versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader, and a reliable internet connection.
Accelerated model
If you're seeking to enrol in the accelerated version of this training, you'll need to complete a skills recognition process to formally document the skills and knowledge you already possess. Contact us for more details.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing
You’re required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy test as part of the enrolment process. This helps us identify and plan for any learning or support needs you may have before you start your training.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have recent work experience you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.
Create your USI
You must provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before we can accept your enrolment.
Resources
2025 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 2.5 MB) (includes student support and guidance on fees, withdrawal and other policy information).
Full fee: $7,680
To achieve this qualification you must complete 14 units of competency.
| Unearthing Indigenous Cultural Heritage | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Study Period 1A: Respecting and Practising Aboriginal Cultural Protocols | |||
| Follow Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols | AHCOCM303 | ||
| Apply knowledge of relevant legislation to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander sites work | AHCCSW312 | ||
| Study Period 1B: Archaeological Foundations | |||
| Use technology in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander sites work | AHCCSW306 | ||
| Apply Indigenous cultural heritage preservation | NAT11339002 | ||
| Apply knowledge of WHS laws in the workplace | BSBWHS307 | ||
| Exploring and Preserving Indigenous Cultural Heritage | |||
| Study Period 2: Exploring Indigenous Landscapes | |||
| Identify and record Aboriginal sites, objects and cultural landscapes | AHCCSW303 | ||
| Observe and report plants or animals | AHCOCM202 | ||
| Preserving our Past, Shaping our Future | |||
| Study Period 3A: Indigenous Cultural Heritage Archaeology | |||
| Assess ground conditions | RIIMEX302D | ||
| Undertake predictive landscape archaeology | NAT10803001 | ||
| Execute archaeological test excavation | NAT11339003 | ||
| Move and store Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural material | AHCCSW310 | ||
| Study Period 3B: Post Mitigation Reporting Essentials | |||
| Participate in basic workplace communication | TLIE1003 | ||
| Write simple documents | BSBWRT311 | ||
| Organise personal work priorities | BSBPEF301 | ||
Careers
You'll graduate ready for a rewarding career that ensures our cultural heritage continues to be experienced and enjoyed by future generations.
Job titles relevant to this qualification include:
- cultural heritage officer
- land council worker
- liaison officer
- community partnerships officer
- archaeologist assistant.