Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
AIATSIS
5 March 1990 – present
Previously Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (1964–1990).
National research, collecting and publishing institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, holding a major archive of film, photographs, audio recordings, art, manuscripts and printed material.
Names over time
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies1964–1990
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies1990–present
How it came into existence
Reconstituted from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989 (No. 149 of 1989, assented 27 November 1989), which commenced on 5 March 1990 with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989. The Act repealed the 1964 Act, extended the Institute's remit to Torres Strait Islander studies and provided for a nine-member Council and a Research Advisory Committee.
- Research and research grants
- Collections and archive
- Publishing
Legislation: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989
Changes during its life
- 18 September 2013Moved into the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio when Commonwealth Indigenous affairs responsibilities were consolidated in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Main functions
- Research on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories
- Custody of a national collection and archive
- Research ethics guidance
- Native title and land rights research
- Publishing through Aboriginal Studies Press
- Family history and language services
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
- Type of body
- Corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Accountable authority
- Council of the Institute – Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989 section 4 with reference to section 21 (membership section 12)
- ABN
- 62 020 533 641
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989 (No. 149, 1989, as made)
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.