Applying for Tribunal assistance

The Tribunal can provide assistance and information to all people involved in the native title process.

We may be able to help with:

  • preparing native title claimant applications
  • providing details of native title applications
  • giving information about native title and the native title process
  • providing land tenure information and conducting searches
  • providing mapping services
  • negotiating agreements, including indigenous land use agreements
  • applying for the registration of an indigenous land use agreement
  • negotiating the withdrawal of objections to the registration of area or alternative procedure indigenous land use agreements.

The Tribunal may also give research assistance at the request of the parties involved in mediation. This can take the form of reports bringing together publicly, or readily available historical materials on cultural groups and group areas. Additionally, resource documents are offered to the sector interests in mediation (for example, fishing, local government, pastoral).

If you have received a notification letter from the Tribunal or need assistance in responding to a public notice of a native title application in the media, please ring the freecall 1800 640 501 or contact the case manager mentioned in the notification letter.

The Tribunal also promotes native title outcomes by providing capacity-building assistance to help parties participate more effectively in the native title process. This may include, for example, training in compliance with regulations or help in developing strategic planning skills.

Please note the Tribunal does not give legal advice and it cannot prepare native title applications.

For more information, read the guidelines used by Tribunal staff and members when providing assistance (PDF version and MS Word version). Note that the guidelines soemtimes refer to internal resources available only to staff and members.

Where else can you get help?

Organisations other than the Tribunal also provide help with native title matters including, in some circumstances, financial and legal assistance.

Peak bodies

Peak bodies represent commercial, local government and indigenous groups. Your relevant peak body might be able to offer you advice and assistance on native title issues and may be a good starting point for information particular to your business or interest.

Native title representative bodies

Native title representative bodies (NTRBs) are recognised under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth). The Australian Government resources NTRBs from an allocation of funds provided for the native title system as a whole, and also provides operational and strategic support so that NTRBs can perform their statutory functions.

Native title claimants can seek assistance from the Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Representative Body for their area. Contact details of representative bodies are available from the Tribunal or at www.ntrb.net.

Federal Court

The Commonwealth Federal Court manages and makes decisions about native title applications and can provide information about parts of the native title process.

The Court also decides who should become involved as a party to a native title application so that they can have their say in mediation and, if necessary, in Court.

For information about the legal process and to obtain forms and details of fees, go to the Federal Court's web site.

Attorney-General's Department

If you are not a native title claimant but you intend to become a party to a native title matter, or you plan to negotiate an agreement, you may be eligible for financial and legal assistance from the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department.

Assistance may also be available to meet the costs of dispute resolution.

For more information go to the Attorney-General's Department's web site.

How to request assistance from the Tribunal

When requesting assistance from the Tribunal:

  • make your request in writing (you may make a verbal request which Tribunal staff will put in writing)
  • include the name and address of the person seeking assistance
  • specify the nature of the assistance required
  • include reasons for requesting the assistance (For example, what specific aspect of the application will the assistance relate to?)
  • set out what other attempts have been made to obtain assistance elsewhere (For example, if you are a prospective or actual native title claimant, have you asked for assistance from the recognised representative body for your area? If so, what was the response to your request?)
  • if you are not a claimant and affected by a native title matter, have you applied for legal aid to the Attorney-General's Department or sought assistance from a peak industry body. If so, what was the response to your request?

Where to send your request for assistance

Click 'contact details ' below to email your request for assistance or send it to:

National Native Title Tribunal
PO Box 9973 in your capital city
Fax: (08) 9268 7299