In NSW there are two key mechanisms by which First Nations peoples can have their rights and interests in land and sea formally recognised – Land Rights and Native Title.
Both systems formally recognise and provide for First Nations peoples’ rights, but the two systems operate under different laws and differ in the rights they can provide.
Native title and land rights can sometimes exist on the same land.
Entities that administer land rights / native title in NSW include:
Native title representative bodies and service providers
Prescribed Body Corporates and/or Registered Native Title Body Corporates
As of April 2024, there are 8 Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs) or Registered Native Title Body Corporates (RNTBCs) in NSW.
North Coast NSW
- Bandjalang Aboriginal Corporation Prescribed Body Corporate RNTBC
- Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal)
- Ngullingah Jugun (Our Country) Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Mid North Coast NSW
- Dunghutti Elders Council (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC
- Gumbaynggirr Wenonah Head Aboriginal Corporation
- Wanggaan (Southern) Gumbaynggirr Nation Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
- Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Northern (Inland) NSW
Sydney / Newcastle
Western NSW
Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs)
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council was established in 1977.
Additionally, there are 120 autonomous Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) across NSW.
All Aboriginal Land Councils are independent, self- funded non-government organisations.
View an interactive map or click on a Land Council below.
Mid North Coast NSW
- Birpai LALC
- Bowraville LALC
- Bunyah LALC
- Coffs Harbour and District LALC
- Forster LALC
- Karuah LALC
- Kempsey LALC
- Nambucca Heads LALC
- Purfleet/Taree LALC
- Thunggutti LALC
- Unkya LALC
Sydney / Newcastle (Coast)
- Awabakal LALC
- Bahtabah LALC
- Biraban LALC
- Darkinjung LALC
- Deerubbin LALC
- Gandangara LALC
- La Perouse LALC
- Metropolitan LALC
- Mindaribba LALC
- Tharawal LALC
- Worimi LALC
South Coast NSW
- Batemans Bay LALC
- Bega LALC
- Bodalla LALC
- Cobowra LALC
- Eden LALC
- Illawarra LALC
- Jerrinja LALC
- Merrimans LALC
- Mogo LALC
- Ngambri LALC
- Nowra LALC
- Ulladulla LALC
- Wagonga LALC
Central NSW
- Dubbo LALC
- Gilgandra LALC
- Mudgee LALC
- Narromine LALC
- Nyngan LALC
- Trangie LALC
- Warren LALC
- Weilwan LALC
- Wellington LALC
- Albury & District LALC
- Bathurst LALC
- Brungle - Tumut LALC
- Condobolin LALC
- Cowra LALC
- Cummeragunja LALC
- Deniliquin LALC
- Griffith LALC
- Hay LALC
- Leeton & District LALC
- Moama LALC
- Murrin Bridge LALC
- Narrandera LALC
- Onerwal LALC
- Orange LALC
- Peak Hill LALC
- Pejar LALC
- Wagga Wagga LALC
- Wamba Wamba LALC
- West Wyalong LALC
- Young LALC
North Western (North Central) NSW
- Baradine LALC
- Brewarrina LALC
- Collarenebri LALC
- Coonamble LALC
- Goodooga LALC
- Lightning Ridge LALC
- Moree LALC
- Mungindi LALC
- Murrawari LALC
- Narrabri LALC
- Nulla Nulla LALC
- Pilliga LALC
- Toomelah LALC
- Walgett LALC
- Wee Waa LALC
- Weilmoringle LALC
Northern (Inland) NSW
Western NSW
Native Title Claims
As of April 2024, there were 8 native title claims registered in NSW, and 88 native title determinations.
You can search the Register of Native Title Claims (RNTC) which contains information about all claimant applications that have been registered.
Indigenous Land Use Agreements
As of April 2024, there were 30 registered Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs).
You can search the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs), which contains information about ILUAs that have been accepted for registration.