Native Title Program
The Native Title Program supports Indigenous native title claimants or holders through the funding of a network of Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs) or other Native Title Service Providers (NTSPs).
NTRB functions and powers are detailed in Division 3, section 203B of the Native Title Act 1993 (NTA).
Their functions involve support to native title claimants or holders in making claims and negotiating associated agreements.
As well as funding NTRB/NTSPs, FaHCSIA provides operational and strategic support through the Aurora Project so the organisations can better perform their statutory functions.
The Native Title Program may also provide support to Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), Indigenous corporations which hold native title on trust or as agents for native title holders (see section 56 of the Native Title Act).
Other aspects of the Australian Government's native title system are administered by the Attorney-General's Portfolio. For information on native title processes, refer to the National Native Title Tribunal.
FaHCSIA also funds the Native Title Research Unit at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
Native title reform
In 2005 the Australian Government announced a series of reforms to the Native Title Act 1993. Further details are on the Native Title Reform pages of the Attorney-General's website.Reforms relating to NTRBs, implemented from 1 July 2007, are aimed at providing more efficient and effective service for native title holders and claimants. They include:
- introduction of fixed-term recognition periods
- broadening the range of eligible organisations
- making it easier to withdraw recognition from poorly performing organisations
- making it easier to change representative area boundaries
- improving the ability of PBCs to access and utilise existing sources of assistance, including from NTRBs.