The National Native Title Tribunal is an impartial, independent and expert body which facilitates timely and effective native title outcomes. Set up under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth), the Tribunal is a federal government agency and part of the Attorney-General's portfolio.
The Tribunal is not a court and does not decide whether native title exists, although we do make arbitral decisions chiefly in relation to future act matters. In addition, the Registrar of the Tribunal is responsible for making administrative decisions about the registration of claimant applications and indigenous land use agreements.
For more information, go to our Tribunal overview page.
Contacting the Tribunal
If you would like to contact the Tribunal for comment, please visit our Tribunal media spokesperson page.
For enquiries about specific claims, ILUAs and notifications please contact the relevant registry manager via the contact us page.
Understanding native title
Tips for understanding native title
Two-page background summary of native title.
Native title determinations
A native title determination is a decision by a court that native title does or does not exist in an area. A native title determination is a decision by the Federal or High Courts, or recognised state or territory bodies, that native title does or does not exist in relation to a particular area of land or waters. Visit the claims - applications and determinations page for more.
Native title determinations October 2009
Indigenous land use agreements
An indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) is a voluntary agreement between a native title group and others about the use and management of land and waters. An indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) is an agreement about native title and the use and management of land and waters made between one or more native title groups and other people. Visit the about indigenous land use agreements page for further details.
What is an indigenous land use agreement? August 2010
Future act agreements
Future act agreements let claimants and project proponents negotiate while native title applications are being still resolved. The right to negotiate is a procedure followed under the Native Title Act 1993 to ensure some of the things that can affect native title (called future acts) can be validly done. Visit the about future acts and arbitration page for more information.
The right to negotiate? October 2009
Subscription service
The Tribunal provides a subscription service to keep you up to date with the latest developments in native title. Go to our subscription centre page to view a list of email alerts and to register a free account.