Office of Native Title

The Office of Native Title was established in February 2002, in response to recommendations arising from a "Review of the Native Title Claim Process in Western Australia" (Wand Review).

The Review called for a well resourced agency with the authority to coordinate a whole of Government response to the resolution of native title matters.

The Office of Native Title employs around 35 staff.

Its primary objectives are:

To resolve native title determination applications and native title compensation applications by agreement;
To resolve native title matters in accordance with the requirements of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and relevant case law;
To ensure valid 'future acts', that minimise the extinguishment or impairment of native title and minimise the State's exposure to compensation liability;
To develop, implement and monitor policies, procedures and practices across Government that ensure native title matters are administered efficiently and consistently;
To conclude agreements that deal in a comprehensive way with the determination of native title, compensation and arrangements for future acts; and
To negotiate and participate in the implementation of project agreements.

The Office of Native Title became a division of the Department of the Attorney General on 1 July 2009.

Last Updated: 30-Jun-2009

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