Resources and publications

This report, conducted for the Department of Regional Development, addresses the question of how effective agreements arising from native title determinations are at meeting the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal peoples who have achieved, or are pursuing (through registered native title claims), legal recognition as native title holders. The report research is based on a review of relevant academic and ‘grey’ literature as well as case studies of the experiences of three Western Australian Aboriginal native title groups in their efforts to leverage agreements with government and industry to enhance their wellbeing and pursue their aspirations.

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) recommends that the Commonwealth recognise the changing roles of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers (NTRB/SP) and the infrastructure and support they provide to the PBC sector while offering flexible policies and processes that allow for PBC autonomy and local decision-making.

More specifically, this brief responds to the following main points identified in the Terms of Reference (TOR):

1. Better engagement between PBCs and governments
2. More effective, transparent and coordinated funding for PBCs
3. Additional support for PBCs (other than providing direct funding)
4. Options for legislative and institutional role reform to support an effective and accountable native title system

This research paper aims to better understand factors that contribute to corporate failure in Indigenous corporations.

The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit’s (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector. This snapshot examines the decision-making processes identified by PBCs within their constitutions including voting processes, quorum requirements and the use of independent directors.

The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit’s (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector.

This snapshot looks at the dispute management processes within PBC constitutions, examining the use of NTRBs, independent mediation and elder’s councils to resolve disputes.

The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) Native Title Policy Paper series has been developed to share findings from AIATSIS’ native title research projects and the impact of those findings on current policy conversations.

This policy paper examines the distribution of wealth and growth of PBCs by size between the years 2010-11 and 2015-16 calculated in terms of net totals and growth rates in the areas of income, assets, equity and staff.

The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit’s (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector. This snapshot provides an overview of the main findings from this research and identifies key areas where PBCs have adapted their constitutions from the default rules offered by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC).

The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit's (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector.

This snapshot provides an overview of the NTRU's analysis of the publicly available financial data submitted to the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), and examines the financial growth and development of PBCs from the financial year 2010-11 to 2015-16.

The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit’s (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector.

This snapshot examines the distribution of wealth and growth of PBCs by size between the years 2010-11 and 2015-16 calculated in terms of net totals and growth rates in the areas of income, assets, equity and staff.

AIATSIS embarked on a research and resource project to develop greater understanding of the Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC) environment, native title holder aspirations and to bring together resources and develop networks that may be of benefit to them. The first of a series of workshops was held by the Native Title Research Unit in Canberra on 5-6 December 2006. The workshop was attended by Native Title Representative Bodies who have been or will be involved in the design and establishment of PBCs following a determination of native title. Participants also included government representatives from the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Attorney General’s Department who gave presentations on the proposed changes to PBCs as a part of the Australian Government’s broader native title reforms.

This report is based on the major issues, themes and discussions that arose during the workshop. In particular, it focuses on measures to improve the effectiveness of PBCs and coincides with the Government’s recognition of the need for resources and support for PBCs to adequately carry out their functions.

This publication provides a summary of Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate (RNTBCs).

The National Native Title Conference 2016 (the conference) was co-convened by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the Northern Land Council, and hosted by the Larrakia people in Darwin, Northern Territory, 1-3 June 2016.

With the success of past Indigenous talking circles, such as the men’s and women’s circles at the conference each year, and a growing level of recognition of the importance and value of Indigenous youth voices in the native title sector, this year’s conference program became host to the inaugural Indigenous youth forum.

The forum, comprising two talking circles held on the first and last day of the conference, aimed to maximise the potential attendance of conference delegates under the age of 35 years. The forum was facilitated by Natalie Rotumah, CEO of NTSCorp, and attended by 24 delegates from the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Also in attendance was Professor Taiaiake Alfred, international keynote speaker and Professor of Indigenous Governance and Political Science at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Professor Alfred led discussions around cultural resurgence and confidence and provided an international perspective on the issues discussed by the delegates, using his extensive experience advising First Nations governments on Indigenous land, governance and youth issues. The delegates shared their native title experiences and aspirations, and examined the barriers to their participation in the native title sector. The delegates then explored ways of overcoming the barriers to achieve increased youth involvement in the sector.

This report presents a summary of a two-day workshop on 14-15 May 2019 at the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) office in Perth.

This policy statement provides guidance on how the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations (the Registrar) deals with requests for an opinion as to whether a fee charged by a registered native title body corporate (RNTBC) to a third party for certain native title functions is one that can be charged.

This review released in 2014 examines the roles and functions of Native Title Organisations. The Australian Government commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to undertake this review.

Sharing Success Governance Workbook is a valuable resource introducing Indigenous community governance concepts, examples of good practices, signs of problems and diagnostic checklists used for a Reconciliation Australia Sharing Success Indigenous governance workshop held in September 2007 in Mt Isa, Queensland. The content of the workbook is drawn from the findings of the Indigenous Community Governance Research Project and analysis of all the Indigenous Governance Award applications. This workbook is an example of one of the very practical tools for Indigenous communities and organisations that has been developed from the Indigenous Community Governance research. 

Sharing Success Governance Workbook is a valuable resource introducing Indigenous community governance concepts, examples of good practices, signs of problems and diagnostic checklists used for a Reconciliation Australia Sharing Success Indigenous governance workshop held in September 2007 in Mt Isa, Queensland. The content of the workbook is drawn from the findings of the Indigenous Community Governance Research Project and analysis of all the Indigenous Governance Award applications. This workbook is an example of one of the very practical tools for Indigenous communities and organisations that has been developed from the Indigenous Community Governance research. 

The Indigenous Governance Awards celebrate success in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations nationwide. The awards provide a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into current innovation, practices and understanding of Indigenous governance. An analysis of the top ranked 2014 applicants’ governance solutions are presented in Voices of Our Success: Sharing stories and analysis from the 2014 Indigenous Governance Awards published by the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and Reconciliation Australia. Here we share an overview of key findings.

The research informing this paper engaged directly with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about their experiences of native title. This paper reveals a number of emerging issues for the native title sector and related fields such as governance, land and water management, and the wider community sector. Key insights in this paper include the evolving ways in which connections to country and culture are being experienced; the importance of active and ongoing support and mentorship; and the need for improved access to native title knowledge and information.