Environment and Land | NIAA
Source: https://www.niaa.gov.au/our-work/environment-and-land
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:20
Environment and Land | NIAA
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Environment
For over 60,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have actively managed their lands and waters. Indigenous land and water management projects:
deliver jobs
preserve Australia’s unique natural and cultural resources
build economic capacity.
The work done through the Indigenous Ranger Program (IRP) and the closely aligned Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water funded Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) Program, protects a diverse range of land and water country. This work also provides real skills and employment opportunities in remote and rural areas.
You can find a short description of each of the NIAA funded Indigenous Ranger projects (IRP) on the
interactive project map
.
Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) Program transition to DCCEEW
On 1 April 2026, the IPA Program transitioned from joint management by the NIAA and DCCEEW, to sole management by DCCEEW.
The IRP is not affected. Management of the IRP will remain with the NIAA.
NIAA and DCCEEW will continue working together closely beyond 1 April 2026 to ensure strong ongoing coordination between the IPA Program and the IRP.
Read More
For more information about the IPA Program, please visit
Indigenous Protected Areas - DCCEEW
DCCEEW Enquiries
Email:
IPA@dcceew.gov.au
Phone: 1800 920 528 – this phone number is for our Contact Centre who will connect you with the relevant team.
View more details about:
Indigenous Rangers
Murray-Darling Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements
Land
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ have rights and interests recognised in over 57 per cent of Australia’s land mass.
Connection to land is of central importance to First Nations Australians. The recognition of Indigenous rights in land and waters has been fundamental to the process of reconciliation.
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) works with First Nations Australians so that Indigenous land can become an economic, cultural and spiritual asset.
We assist First Nations people in generating economic and social benefits from their land assets. This includes supporting:
Traditional Owners to make informed decisions about use of their land
efficient land administration
land and sea claims under Commonwealth native title and land rights legislation.
Land rights
The Commonwealth has responsibility for Land Rights in the Northern Territory (NT) through the
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976
(Cth) (Land Rights Act).
Under the Land Rights Act, Traditional Owners hold decision-making powers over the use of Aboriginal land. The NT Land Councils, as established under the Act, assist Traditional Owners to secure and manage their land. These Land Councils are the
Anindilyakwa Land Council
,
Central Land Council
,
Northern Land Council
and
Tiwi Land Council
.
The NIAA has a role in:
Administering the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA), a Special Account established by the Land Rights Act. The ABA receives and distributes royalty equivalents from mining on Aboriginal land in the NT. These funds are used to benefit Aboriginal people living in the NT including through operational funding for the NT Land Councils.
Supporting the
Aboriginal Land Commissioner
in the performance of their functions under the Land Rights Act.
Aboriginal investment NT
Aboriginal Investment NT has been established to support self-determination for Traditional Owners and Aboriginal people across the NT.
Aboriginal Investment NT makes payments and investments from the ABA to benefit Aboriginal people living in the NT.
For further information on Aboriginal Investment NT, please visit
Aboriginal Investment NT
.
The Aboriginal Land and Waters (Jervis Bay Territory) Act
Jervis Bay Territory is a Commonwealth administered territory located approximately 250 kilometres east of Canberra and approximately 200 kilometres south of Sydney.
Under the
Aboriginal Land and Waters (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986 (Land and Waters Act)
the Commonwealth has vested about 90 per cent of the land in Jervis Bay Territory in the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council (WBACC). WBACC holds title to, and manages, the Aboriginal land including by granting residential leases to its registered members.
In 2023, amendments to the Land and Waters Act were passed by the Australian Parliament. These amendments were jointly developed by WBACC and the Australian Government and help to strengthen local governance and facilitate home ownership style leases.
The Australian Government is also
investing in housing
in Wreck Bay Village and working in partnership with the WBACC to roll out the work.
Native Title
Native Title includes rights and interests that relate to land and waters that are:
held by Indigenous people
governed under traditional laws and customs
recognised by the common law in accordance with the
Native Title Act 1993
(Cth).
We fund a network of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers to assist native title groups. Further details are available at
Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers
. The findings of an independent review of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers undertaken by Nous Group during 2023 – 2024 are available at
2023-24 Performance Reviews of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers
.
Native Title corporations (known as ‘Prescribed Bodies Corporate’, PBC) hold, manage and protect native title on behalf of Traditional Owners. The Australian Government assists these bodies through grant funding (see Grants below).
Recent changes have been made to Native Title legislation that will affect PBCs. More information is available at
Changes to Native Title legislation affecting PBCs.
The Attorney-General’s Department provides legal advice on the prescribed sections of the
Native Title Act 1993
(Cth). More information is available at
Attorney-General's Department
.
Native Title Representative Bodies/Service Providers
We fund a network of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers (NTRB-SPs) to assist Native Title groups. Further details are available at
Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers
.
The NIAA undertakes regular performance reviews of NTRB-SPs. The Nous Group has been engaged to perform the most recent reviews, which commenced in 2023. Details of the review is set out in the
Statement of Work
.
Previous performance reviews of NTRB-SPs, conducted between May 2017 and March 2021, are available from
2017-21 Performance reviews of native title representative bodies and service providers | NIAA
.
Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate (Prescribed Bodies Corporate)
Native Title corporations (known as ‘Prescribed Bodies Corporate’, PBC) manage Native Title on behalf of Traditional Owners. The Australian Government supports PBCs to build organisational capacity and take advantage of economic opportunities through the
PBC Capacity Building Program
. PBCs may also be eligible to apply for other NIAA
grants and funding
.
In 2021 changes were made to the Native Title Act that affect PBCs. More information is available at
Changes to Native Title legislation affecting PBCs
.
Administration of Native Title Act 1993
The Minister for Indigenous Australians administers provisions of the Native Title Act related to NTRB-SPs and PBCs while the Attorney-General administers the remainder of the Act.
The Attorney-General’s Department provides further information on the operation of the Native Title Act available at
Attorney-General's Department
website.
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Skip to main content
Environment and Land
Back to
Our Work
Listen
Environment
For over 60,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have actively managed their lands and waters. Indigenous land and water management projects:
deliver jobs
preserve Australia’s unique natural and cultural resources
build economic capacity.
The work done through the Indigenous Ranger Program (IRP) and the closely aligned Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water funded Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) Program, protects a diverse range of land and water country. This work also provides real skills and employment opportunities in remote and rural areas.
You can find a short description of each of the NIAA funded Indigenous Ranger projects (IRP) on the
interactive project map
.
Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) Program transition to DCCEEW
On 1 April 2026, the IPA Program transitioned from joint management by the NIAA and DCCEEW, to sole management by DCCEEW.
The IRP is not affected. Management of the IRP will remain with the NIAA.
NIAA and DCCEEW will continue working together closely beyond 1 April 2026 to ensure strong ongoing coordination between the IPA Program and the IRP.
Read More
For more information about the IPA Program, please visit
Indigenous Protected Areas - DCCEEW
DCCEEW Enquiries
Email:
IPA@dcceew.gov.au
Phone: 1800 920 528 – this phone number is for our Contact Centre who will connect you with the relevant team.
View more details about:
Indigenous Rangers
Murray-Darling Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements
Land
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ have rights and interests recognised in over 57 per cent of Australia’s land mass.
Connection to land is of central importance to First Nations Australians. The recognition of Indigenous rights in land and waters has been fundamental to the process of reconciliation.
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) works with First Nations Australians so that Indigenous land can become an economic, cultural and spiritual asset.
We assist First Nations people in generating economic and social benefits from their land assets. This includes supporting:
Traditional Owners to make informed decisions about use of their land
efficient land administration
land and sea claims under Commonwealth native title and land rights legislation.
Land rights
The Commonwealth has responsibility for Land Rights in the Northern Territory (NT) through the
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976
(Cth) (Land Rights Act).
Under the Land Rights Act, Traditional Owners hold decision-making powers over the use of Aboriginal land. The NT Land Councils, as established under the Act, assist Traditional Owners to secure and manage their land. These Land Councils are the
Anindilyakwa Land Council
,
Central Land Council
,
Northern Land Council
and
Tiwi Land Council
.
The NIAA has a role in:
Administering the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA), a Special Account established by the Land Rights Act. The ABA receives and distributes royalty equivalents from mining on Aboriginal land in the NT. These funds are used to benefit Aboriginal people living in the NT including through operational funding for the NT Land Councils.
Supporting the
Aboriginal Land Commissioner
in the performance of their functions under the Land Rights Act.
Aboriginal investment NT
Aboriginal Investment NT has been established to support self-determination for Traditional Owners and Aboriginal people across the NT.
Aboriginal Investment NT makes payments and investments from the ABA to benefit Aboriginal people living in the NT.
For further information on Aboriginal Investment NT, please visit
Aboriginal Investment NT
.
The Aboriginal Land and Waters (Jervis Bay Territory) Act
Jervis Bay Territory is a Commonwealth administered territory located approximately 250 kilometres east of Canberra and approximately 200 kilometres south of Sydney.
Under the
Aboriginal Land and Waters (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986 (Land and Waters Act)
the Commonwealth has vested about 90 per cent of the land in Jervis Bay Territory in the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council (WBACC). WBACC holds title to, and manages, the Aboriginal land including by granting residential leases to its registered members.
In 2023, amendments to the Land and Waters Act were passed by the Australian Parliament. These amendments were jointly developed by WBACC and the Australian Government and help to strengthen local governance and facilitate home ownership style leases.
The Australian Government is also
investing in housing
in Wreck Bay Village and working in partnership with the WBACC to roll out the work.
Native Title
Native Title includes rights and interests that relate to land and waters that are:
held by Indigenous people
governed under traditional laws and customs
recognised by the common law in accordance with the
Native Title Act 1993
(Cth).
We fund a network of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers to assist native title groups. Further details are available at
Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers
. The findings of an independent review of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers undertaken by Nous Group during 2023 – 2024 are available at
2023-24 Performance Reviews of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers
.
Native Title corporations (known as ‘Prescribed Bodies Corporate’, PBC) hold, manage and protect native title on behalf of Traditional Owners. The Australian Government assists these bodies through grant funding (see Grants below).
Recent changes have been made to Native Title legislation that will affect PBCs. More information is available at
Changes to Native Title legislation affecting PBCs.
The Attorney-General’s Department provides legal advice on the prescribed sections of the
Native Title Act 1993
(Cth). More information is available at
Attorney-General's Department
.
Native Title Representative Bodies/Service Providers
We fund a network of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers (NTRB-SPs) to assist Native Title groups. Further details are available at
Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers
.
The NIAA undertakes regular performance reviews of NTRB-SPs. The Nous Group has been engaged to perform the most recent reviews, which commenced in 2023. Details of the review is set out in the
Statement of Work
.
Previous performance reviews of NTRB-SPs, conducted between May 2017 and March 2021, are available from
2017-21 Performance reviews of native title representative bodies and service providers | NIAA
.
Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate (Prescribed Bodies Corporate)
Native Title corporations (known as ‘Prescribed Bodies Corporate’, PBC) manage Native Title on behalf of Traditional Owners. The Australian Government supports PBCs to build organisational capacity and take advantage of economic opportunities through the
PBC Capacity Building Program
. PBCs may also be eligible to apply for other NIAA
grants and funding
.
In 2021 changes were made to the Native Title Act that affect PBCs. More information is available at
Changes to Native Title legislation affecting PBCs
.
Administration of Native Title Act 1993
The Minister for Indigenous Australians administers provisions of the Native Title Act related to NTRB-SPs and PBCs while the Attorney-General administers the remainder of the Act.
The Attorney-General’s Department provides further information on the operation of the Native Title Act available at
Attorney-General's Department
website.
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Tuesday, 12 Mar 2024
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Tuesday, 22 Feb 2022
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Bringing Culture back to men on Matuwa Kurrara Kurrara IPA
Monday, 20 Sep 2021
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See all
Report
Aboriginal Land Commissioner Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2025
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2025
Report
Aboriginal Land Commissioner Report for the year ended 30 June 2024
Monday, 17 Mar 2025
Report
Cobourg Peninsula Land Claim No. 6 Report
Tuesday, 03 Dec 2024
Report
Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) Independent Review: ANAO Recommendation Implementation Progress Final Report
Thursday, 29 Aug 2024
See all
Programs and Policies
Environment and Land
Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers Performance Reviews 2023-24
Wednesday, 08 Feb 2023
Environment and Land
Recognition of Native Title Representative Bodies
Tuesday, 07 Feb 2023
Environment and Land
Remote Australia Strategies Programme
Monday, 15 Jul 2019
Environment and Land
Commonwealth Caveated Property
Thursday, 27 Jun 2019
Environment and Land
ABA Stores Infrastructure Project
Monday, 23 Apr 2018
Environment and Land
Indigenous Land Corporation Consultations
Tuesday, 06 Jun 2017
Environment and Land
Project funding - Indigenous land and sea management
Tuesday, 29 Mar 2016
Environment and Land
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Friday, 18 Mar 2016
Environment and Land
Capacity building for native title corporations
Friday, 18 Mar 2016
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COAG Investigation into Indigenous land administration and use
Friday, 18 Mar 2016
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Aboriginal Hostels Limited
Friday, 18 Mar 2016
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Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme
Friday, 18 Mar 2016
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Indigenous Business Australia and home ownership
Friday, 18 Mar 2016
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Indigenous Community Housing Organisations
Friday, 18 Mar 2016
Environment and Land
Native title representative bodies and service providers
Wednesday, 16 Mar 2016