[2] It is mandated to care for that part of South Africa's national estate that is of provincial and local significance in the Western Cape.

It may delegate responsibility for heritage resources of local significance to competent municipal governments.

Under the 1996 Constitution of South Africa, cultural matters are a competency shared between national and provincial government.

[6] In 2003 a Council was appointed by the province's Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport and has since met on a quarterly basis.

[7] The council has established a number of sub-committees which meet regularly to carry out the legal responsibilities of the organisation.

For the most part this concerns the processing of almost 3 300 applications per annum for work on sites protected under the terms of the National Heritage Resources Act.

To clarify areas of uncertainty regarding mandate, representatives of Heritage Western Cape meet quarterly with SAHRA.

In terms of delegations from the council the staff deal with areas of responsibility of the organisation not covered by the committees, mainly the processing of applications for minor work on heritage resources.

Known as "national monuments" from 1969 to 2000 and "historical monuments" from 1934 to 1969,[27][28] these sites are in the process of being graded in terms of the grading system prescribed by the Act and which determines whether they remain provincial heritage sites, are included in the register of heritage resources or no longer enjoy formal protection.

and must be submitted to Heritage Western Cape at the time of compiling or amending a municipal planning scheme.

Its staff members are public servants in the employ of the department which carries the cost of their salaries and benefits.

Heritage Western Cape is required to register conservation bodies interested in the protection of the national estate in the province.