These maps provide a national perspective of native title matters across a range of themes, in a convenient A4 size for easy printing. See the description link below each thumbnail for further details on the content of the maps.
A guide on how to download and use the PDF maps is provided below. Previous versions of maps can be requested.
Guide to downloading, printing and using Tribunal maps pdf (0.2MB)
Detailed descriptions of each map are available by selecting the map heading below.
National map descriptions
Geographic extent of claimant applications as per Schedule of Applications Federal Court status
As part of the transitional provisions of the amended Native Title Act, all applications were taken to have been filed in the Federal Court of Australia. Any changes to these applications and the filing of new applications happen through the Federal Court. The Tribunal records information on these matters in the Schedule of Applications--Federal Court status.
This A4 map depicts the boundaries of claimant applications (these can be external boundaries with areas excluded or discrete boundaries of areas being claimed) as they have been recognised by the Federal Court process.
Where the boundary of an application has been amended in the Federal Court, the map shows this boundary rather than the boundary as per the Register of Native Title Claims (RNTC). If the amended application is accepted for registration the RNTC is updated to reflect the amendment.
The applications shown on the map include:
- registered applications (i.e. those that have complied with the registration test)
- pre-amendments applications where the registration test is being applied
- unregistered applications (i.e. those that have not been accepted for registration)
- new applications where the registration test is also being applied
- determined applications.
Geographic extent of claimant applications as per Register of Native Title Claims (RNTC)
The Register of Native Title Claims (RNTC) contains information about all claimant applications that have met the conditions of the registration test under s. 190A of the Native Title Act. A small number of applications lodged before the 1998 amendments to the Native Title Act remain on the RNTC although they may not have been tested for registration or are still being tested.
This A4 map depicts the boundaries of claimant applications (these can be external boundaries with areas excluded or discrete boundaries of areas being claimed) and their status with respect to the RNTC. All applications on the RNTC have the right to negotiate for a small class of future acts over areas claimed.
Applications that are withdrawn, discontinued, rejected or struck out are removed from the RNTC.
Applications that are determined are recorded on the National Native Title Register (see below, Determinations of native title). They also remain on the RNTC until otherwise finalised.
The National Native Title Register (NNTR) contains information about each determination of native title by the Federal Court or High Court, recognised state and territory bodies, or other determinations of, or in relation to, native title in decisions of courts or tribunals.
This A4 map depicts the boundaries of claimant, non-claimant and compensation applications that have been determined. In some cases, due to scale, symbols represent the location of the applications. Where only part of an application has been determined, the map shows only that part.
Determinations are categorised into:
- determinations by consent
- determinations by litigation
- unopposed determinations.
Within these determinations native title will have been found to exist, been extinguished and/or a combination of both. Draft, proposed and/or conditional determinations and determinations subject to appeal are also noted.
For more information about the public registers maintained by the Tribunal, click on 'Registers'.
For more information about native title determinations, click on 'Applications and determinations'.
Registered Native Title Prescribed Bodies Corporate
Under the Native Title Act 1993, native title holders are required by the Native Title Act 1993 to form a Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC) once the court has found that native title exists.
The PBCs are established to represent the native title holders as a group and manage their native title rights and interests.
This A4 map shows the areas covered by PBCs and also shows where PBCs are still to be created over determined areas.
Geographic extent of claimant applications and determinations of native title
This A0 size map depicts the geographic extent of claimant applications as per the Schedule of Applications — Federal Court status and determinations of native title as per the National Native Title Register. Federal Court reference numbers are used.
Indigenous Land Use Agreements
The Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements contains information about each indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) registered by the Native Title Registrar.
This A4 map depicts the external boundaries of registered ILUAs and those of ILUAs in notification but not yet registered. It also indicates the types of agreement. In some cases, due to scale, symbols represent the location of the ILUAs. Inserts are used to allow better depiction of areas where appropriate.
The map does not show ILUAs that have been lodged but not yet notified as this is not public information. Tables of ILUAs are also provided, detailing Registered Area, Registered Body Corporate and Notified Agreements not yet registered.
For more information about the public registers maintained by the Tribunal, click on 'Registers'.
For more information about registered ILUAs, click on 'Indigenous land use agreements'.
Areas of sea subject to claim as per Schedule of Applications Federal Court status & National Native Title Register This A4 map depicts the area of those applications as per the Schedule of Applications Federal Court status and NNTR that include sea which is defined for this purpose to include any waters seaward beyond the Australian coastline (mean high water). This map is complemented by a table which includes the name, number, status and seaward extent of each application by jurisdiction.
Areas of sea subject to claim as per Register of Native Title Claims
This A4 map depicts the area of those applications as per the Register of Native Title Claims that include sea which is defined for this purpose to include any waters seaward beyond the Australian coastline (mean high water). This map is complemented by a table which includes the name, number, status and seaward extent of each application by jurisdiction.
Areas of sea subject to registered Indigenous Land Use Agreements
This A4 map depicts the area of those ILUAs in the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements that include sea, which is defined for this purpose to include any waters seaward beyond the Australian coastline (mean high water). The map is complemented by a table which describes the number of ILUAs by jurisdiction.
Representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Body areas
This A4 map depicts Representative Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Body (RATSIB) areas together with the recognised organisation as determined per s. 202 Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth).
Contact details of these organisations can be located at www.ntrb.net
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