FAQs

The National Native Title Council (NNTC) is the peak body for Native Title Representative Bodies, Service Providers, and Traditional Owner Corporations (also known as Prescribed Bodies Corporate or PBCs) across Australia. It represents the interests of Traditional Owners in the protection and advancement of their native title rights and interests.

No, the NNTC is not a government agency. It is an independent, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisation that advocates for the rights and interests of Traditional Owners in native title matters. While the NNTC works with government agencies on policy development and reform, it operates independently of government.

The National Native Title Council (NNTC) and the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) are separate organisations with different roles:

• The NNTC is an independent peak body representing Native Title Representative Bodies, Service Providers, and Traditional Owner Corporations. It focuses on advocacy, policy development, and supporting its members.
• The NNTT is a government agency established under the Native Title Act 1993. It is responsible for mediating native title claims, maintaining the National Native Title Register, and assisting parties in negotiations related to future acts.

No, the NNTC does not determine native title claims. This is the role of the Federal Court of Australia. The NNTC focuses on policy advocacy, capacity building, and supporting Traditional Owners after native title has been determined. If you would like more information on a native title claim, please contact your regional Native Title Representative Body or Service provider.

The NNTC does not lodge or process native title claims. Claims are lodged by Traditional Owners ‘native title claimants’, who are represented by Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs) and Native Title Service Providers (NTSPs), which provide legal and anthropological support to Traditional Owners seeking native title recognition.

The NNTC represents Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), Traditional Owner corporations, Native Title Representative Bodies, and Native Title Service Providers across Australia. Through these organisations, the NNTC effectively represents the interests of Traditional Owners and native title holders nationwide.

The NNTC’s vision is to ensure that the rights and interests of Traditional Owners and native title holders are protected and advanced, and that First Nations peoples can utilise their lands and waters for economic, social, and cultural development.

The Mabo Centre is a First Nations-led partnership between the National Native Title Council and The University of Melbourne.

The Mabo Centre will support Traditional Owner groups and First Nations organisations to enable better economic outcomes through leveraging land and sea rights. It aims to maximise the economic, social, and cultural benefits of these rights by building leadership skills and knowledge for successful agreement-making. The Mabo Centre will support First Nations youth to become community leaders and drive economic change in their communities.

Visit the Mabo Centre website

Native title refers to the recognition in Australian law of First Nations peoples’ rights and interests in land and waters according to their traditional laws and customs. These rights were formally recognised in the Australian legal system following the historic Mabo decision in 1992 and are governed by the Native Title Act 1993.

The Native Title Act 1993 is Commonwealth legislation that recognises and protects native title rights and interests. It establishes the processes for determining native title claims, deals with future acts on native title land, and outlines the roles of various bodies in the native title system.

The Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) is legislation that provides a framework for the incorporation and regulation of Indigenous corporations in Australia. The CATSI Act came into effect in 2007 as a ‘special measure’ under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. The CATSI Act is administered by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC). Prescribed Bodies Corporate must be registered under the CATSI Act.

A Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC), also known as a Traditional Owner Corporation, is an organisation established to hold and manage native title rights and interests on behalf of the native title holders after a determination of native title has been made. PBCs have specific functions under the Native Title Act, including consulting with native title holders about decisions affecting their native title rights.

Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs) are organisations recognised under the Native Title Act to represent Traditional Owners in native title matters. They assist Traditional Owners with native title claims, future act negotiations, and agreement-making processes.

The NNTC:

• Advocates for policy and legislative reform to protect and advance native title rights
• Provides a collective voice for Traditional Owners, NTRBs, and PBCs
• Supports capacity building for member organisations
• Engages with government, industry, and other stakeholders on issues affecting native title holders
• Conducts research and develops resources to support the native title sector
• Raises awareness about native title issues and the rights of Traditional Owners

The NNTC supports Traditional Owner Corporations/PBCs through:

• Advocating for policy reforms that address their needs
• Providing training and capacity-building opportunities
• Facilitating networking and knowledge-sharing between PBCs
• Developing resources and guidance materials
• Representing their collective interests in discussions with government and other stakeholders

The NNTC engages with government departments, ministers, and industry bodies to:

• Advocate for policy and legislative reform
• Provide input on issues affecting Traditional Owners
• Negotiate and develop agreements that protect and advance native title rights
• Ensure that the voices of Traditional Owners are heard in decision-making processes

Native Title Representative Bodies, Native Title Service Providers, and Traditional Owner Corporations (PBCs) can apply for membership with the NNTC. Information about the membership application process is available by contacting the NNTC directly through its website or office.

• Supporting businesses owned by Traditional Owner groups