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Australian law recognises native title as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and interests in land and waters, held in accordance with their traditional laws and customs.
Queensland Government departments and agencies need to comply with both the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) by according Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people procedural fairness, as set out in the native title work procedures.
Native title assessments
A native title assessment is the process by which the state identifies whether native title continues to exist over particular land or waters. If it does exist, we can then plan the next steps to follow to carry out a land or resource dealing.
These work procedures are used by all Queensland Government departments and agencies to ensure native title is properly addressed before undertaking land and resource dealings.
What is a dealing?
Dealings are planned activities that impact land or water. Examples include:
- granting a lease
- granting a commercial fishing licence
- constructing a public work on a reserve
- creating a national park management plan.
How to use the native title work procedures
The native title work procedures is designed as an online tool to step you through the requirements of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). You can use the tool to check your proposed dealing against different sections (modules) of the work procedures.
Most modules include:
- a description of the module's purpose
- training for the module
- the decision tool - a series of questions that will help you know what the next steps are for your proposed dealing.
At the end of the online tool, you'll receive an outcome and instructions for what to do next.
Once completed, you'll be sent a copy of your assessment for you own records.
Training and resources
eLearning courses
Our interactive learning courses are available in each module to help you complete the assessment modules and understand the process.
These resources will provide a comprehensive online resource for all government officers who need to consider native title in their day-to-day work.
Introduction to native title
If you are new to native title assessment, make sure you complete the Introduction to native title eLearning course.
You should also familiarise yourself with:
- Glossary of terms 138.5 KB)
- Delegations and responsibilities 94.5 KB)
- Queensland native title representative bodies and areas 517.9 KB)
Module guides
The following guides and resources can give you more information about the questions in each module, and what they mean for your application.
Module AB to AD
Module BA
Module BB
Module CA
- Module CA overview 276 KB)
- Evidence template 171.1 KB)
- Evidence example 541.9 KB)
- Decision section example 18.8 KB) 0
Module CB
Module F
Module GB
Module GD
Module GE
Module H
Module IB
Module IC
Module J
Module JAA
Module K
Module L
Module M and N
Module O
Module P
Module Q
Module R
Queensland Native Title Information Management Environment (QNTIME)
The Queensland Native Title Information Management Environment (QNTIME) is the Queensland Government's information system for native title. It's managed and hosted by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development.
QNTIME contains:
- information and spatial depictions of native title claims, determinations of native title and Indigenous land use agreements
- representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies
- research into tenure and usage history
- conclusions of extinguishment and compulsory acquisitions of native title.
Access QNTIME
To gain access to the system, you must be employed by either a:
- Queensland Government state department
- corporation that's completely owned by the Queensland Government.
To register for an account, complete the Systems access request form on the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development Queensland Spatial Help Centre or call Data and Systems Support on 3330 4445.
More information
Contact your Native Title Contact Officer if you have questions about the procedures or other native title issues. If they can't help you, they will seek advice on your behalf from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development.