Law, justice & securityCourt or tribunalExists today
National Native Title Tribunal
NNTT
1 January 1994 – present
Independent body that mediates native title claims, arbitrates future act matters such as mining and exploration on native title land, registers claims and Indigenous land use agreements, and keeps the native title registers.
How it came into existence
Established on 1 January 1994 by the Native Title Act 1993, the Commonwealth's legislative response to the High Court's Mabo (No 2) decision of 1992. It had no Commonwealth predecessor.
Legislation: Native Title Act 1993
Changes during its life
- 1998The Native Title Amendment Act 1998, enacted after the Wik decision, introduced the registration test and reshaped the tribunal's role.
- 1 July 2012Its staff and corporate services came under the administration of the Federal Court of Australia.
- Corporate services and staff of the tribunal
Main functions
- Mediation of native title claims
- Arbitration of future act matters
- Registration test for native title claims
- Registration of Indigenous land use agreements
- Maintenance of the native title registers
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Attorney-General's Department.
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 12 September 2016 to the latest release (30 June 2026))
Government records and websites
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.