Geospatial searches

How do I request a spatial search?

To request a spatial search, download and complete the search form. A search form must accompany your request.

Email your completed form to GeospatialSearch@NNTT.gov.au.

For assistance, or to request a copy of the form, contact the same email address.

Assistance with the search form

Providing information in the correct format will help ensure your request is processed as efficiently as possible.

Please note

• Specify only one jurisdiction (e.g. Queensland) and one type of tenure (e.g. mining tenement) per form. You can add up to 20 separate tenements or parcels per search request. For more than 20 parcels or tenements you can instead attach a cleanly formatted spreadsheet to your request, or contact GeospatialSearch@NNTT.gov.au​ to discuss your requirements.

  Note: if your area of interest cannot be clearly identified from the search form, or is not held in NNTT datasets, we may instead provide search results for a surrounding local government area, or other suitable regional area.​

• Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) are no longer routinely included in the search results and must be specifically requested. An ILUA is a voluntary, legally binding agreement about the use and management of land or waters, made between one or more native title groups and non-native title interest holders in the ILUA area (such as grantee parties, pastoralists, or governments). An ILUA operates as a contract between parties.​

• Freehold land

  Under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), the valid grant of a freehold estate (other than certain types of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land) on or before 23 December 1996 is known as a 'previous exclusive possession act'. This means that native title has been extinguished over the area. Native title claimants are not allowed to include land and waters covered by previous exclusive possession acts in their applications; therefore they would normally exclude freehold areas. A native title application may, however, be made over freehold land on the basis that freehold was invalidly granted, but the chances of this happening are very low. See here for further information on freehold land: Freehold land​​​

  The NNTT is not the custodian of the data for freehold estates. To determine whether a particular parcel of land is freehold land, you may wish to seek such information from the relevant state government custodian.

• Cultural heritage in NSW

  The National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) is an independent statutory body established under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA).  The NNTT performs specific statutory functions in accordance with the provisions of the NTA.  Although compliant with the ‘NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage consultation requirements for proponents 2010’ issued pursuant to the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPWA), the processes for recognising and dealing with native title rights and interests under the NTA are separate and distinct from processes relating to cultural heritage.  Search results may or may not be relevant to your enquiry requesting “contact details of any Aboriginal people, who may hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the cultural significance of Aboriginal objects and/or places in the area of the proposed project.”

• Spatial searches rely on data obtained from the relevant custodian. Whilst efforts are taken to update such datasets on a regular basis, the collection and interpretation of such datasets may be influenced by a number of factors that can impact of the completeness and accuracy of your search results.​

How long will the search take?

It may take up to three working days to provide you with your search results when you submit conventional search criteria (tenement or non freehold parcel identifiers). It may take up to five working days for more complex searches. The Tribunal will contact you if a result cannot be provided within this timeframe.

What you will receive

Your search request will be answered with a table showing your tenement or parcel listing the native title matters it overlaps with. The native title matters will consist of relevant records from:·

• Native Title Determination Applications as lodged in the Federal Court (NTDA Schedule​).
• Registered Native Title Determination Applications (NTDA Register).
• Native Title Determinations (Determinations).

Upon request, search results can include records from the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs).

Example results:

Disclaimer

Reasonable Care has been taken in the preparation of this material to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication. However, the information is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No liability is accepted by the NNTT, the Native Title Registrar or the Commonwealth for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information contained in this material. Before acting on any information, you should obtain independent legal advice to ensure you understand how the law applies to your circumstances.