Native title is the name Australian law gives to the traditional ownership of land and waters that have always belonged to Aboriginal people according to their traditions, laws and customs.
The Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 (NT Act) sets out how native title rights must be recognised and protected.
Granting tenure may affect native title interests in Crown land. Potential native title rights and interests must be identified and resolved before proceeding with any proposed tenure.
Council Crown land managers and Category 1 non-council Crown land managers
Council Crown land managers and Category 1 non-council Crown land managers must employ/engage at least one native title manager and obtain written advice from them about native title and any proposed tenure. A Native title manager workbook (PDF, 3.5 MB) has been designed to provide guidance and assistance.
Category 2 Crown land managers
Category 2 Crown land managers must contact the Department for advice on native title rights and interests. The Department will check for any Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) or native title claims over the reserve, and provide advice for you to progress any notification requirements under the NT Act.
The Department will generally not give consent to any Crown land manager lease or licence for land subject to an Aboriginal land claim that will:
- prevent the land being transferred to a claimant Land Council in the event it is found to be claimable
- impact on the physical condition of the land.
It is expected that council Crown land managers and category 1 non-council Crown land managers will apply the above principles when authorising tenure greater than 12 months.