Expert Examiner Register

Australia’s movable cultural heritage is protected by our laws. The Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 (the Act) and the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) protect Australia’s movable cultural heritage by creating a framework for the regulation of the export of ‘Australian Protected Objects’ (APOs).

The Act also enables the return of objects of foreign cultural heritage that have been illegally exported and imported into Australia, under certain conditions. Among other matters, the Act gives effect to Australia’s obligations to the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property 1970.

Expert Examiners are drawn from a range of cultural institutions, universities, art and cultural heritage firms, consultants, auction houses and historical societies. They are recognised experts in a particular field, and are appointed on the basis of their employment, professional qualifications and expertise in their chosen field.

The role of the Expert Examiner is to make a recommendation on the APO status of an object and whether or not Australia’s cultural heritage will be diminished should the object or objects be exported, be it permanently or temporarily. This recommendation is then considered by the National Cultural Heritage Committee, who make a recommendation to the Minister, or their delegate, who then makes the final decision.

From time to time the Department may seek assistance from Expert Examiners in areas outside of Australian cultural property, in relation to protected objects of foreign countries. The role of the Expert Examiner in such instances is to provide advice relating to the authenticity, origin and significance of objects, and movement patterns of cultural property from that country. 

For enquiries or assistance, please call 1800 819 461 or email movable.heritage@arts.gov.au

In order to process your application, we need to collect some of your personal information through this form (such as your name and contact details).

The personal information you provide may be shared with the Minister for the Arts, persons holding or occupying a number of Senior Executive Service positions in the Department, the National Cultural Heritage Committee, and other Departmental officers who are involved in dealing with your application.

The Department will not otherwise disclose your personal information to any third parties, other than where disclosure is permitted or required by law or we have your express agreement to do so. Do not provide personal information of any third parties, for example your referees, without their permission and understanding.

For further information about our privacy obligations (including in relation to how to access or correct personal information or make a complaint) and our contact details for privacy matters, please see the Department’s Privacy policy.

All other information provided in this application will be treated as confidential and will not be further disclosed except to the extent required in order to administer the Act or by law, a Minister or the Parliament.

Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code Act 1995. Penalties may apply for the making of false or misleading statements in, or the giving of false information in connection with, your application.

You should ensure that the information included in your application and any documents you provide are complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge.