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Insight Horizon Media

What is a native title assessment?

Author

Robert Miller

Published Feb 25, 2026

What is a native title assessment?

The members of the native title claim group seek a decision from the court that native title exists, so their rights and interests are recognised by the common law of Australia. This is called a native title determination.

Does an Ilua extinguish native title?

An ILUA can be about any native title matter agreed by the parties, including settlement or exercise of native title rights and interests, surrender of native title to governments, land management, future development, mining, cultural heritage, coexistence of native title rights with other rights, access to an area.

How much land in Australia is native title?

At 30 September 2015, native title has been recognised over approximately 2,469,647 km2 or about 32% of the Australian land mass. Native title rights and interests differ from statutory land rights in that the source of statutory land rights is a grant of title from government.

When was native title passed?

1993
Following the decision in Mabo No. 2, the government enacted the Native Title Act 1993, which commenced on 1 January 1994. The Act has a number of functions. It creates processes through which native title can be recognised and protected.

Who won the right to native title?

The Aboriginal peoples of the Wimmera region of Western Victoria won recognition of their native title on 13 December 2005 after a ten-year legal process commenced in 1995 when they filed an application for a determination of native title in respect of certain land and waters in Western Victoria.

What day is Mabo Day?

June 3
June 3 marks the momentous victory to overturn that precedent in the High Court and honours the legacy of the man behind it — Eddie Mabo. Here’s what you need to know about Mabo Day.

Can native title be transferred?

Native title is inalienable, meaning it cannot be sold or transferred freely, and can only be surrendered to the Crown (or extinguished). However, there are some options for non-extinguishing leasing of native title lands. Recently native title rights and interests have been described in broader terms.

Can native title co exist with a pastoral lease?

Native title can co-exist with pastoral leases, regardless of whether a determination of native title has been made. Any upgrade to the pastoral tenure will impact on native title and will require the statutory process setting out native title procedural rights to be followed.

How is native title Recognised today?

Native title: • can be extinguished (refused recognition) because of things the government has done, or allowed others to do, over a particular area that are inconsistent with native title • is not granted by governments—it is usually recognised through a determination made by the Federal Court under the Native Title …

What does native title allow?

Native title may include rights and interests to: Live on the area and erect shelters and structures. Access the area for traditional purposes, like camping or for ceremonies. Visit and protect important places and sites hunt, fish and gather food or traditional resources like bush medicines, water, ochre and wood.

Why is Mabo Day on the 3rd of June?

What happened on Mabo Day? On June 3, 1992, the High Court overturned the legal concept of “terra nullius” — that land claimed by white settlers belonged to no-one. The court ruled in favour of the Meriam people by a majority of six to one vote.

Is Eddie Mabo still alive?

Deceased (1936–1992)
Eddie Mabo/Living or Deceased