Claims in WA

There are approximately 100 outstanding native title claim applications in Western Australia (Claims map).

For the purposes of claim management, the State is divided into six claim regions, Kimberley, Pilbara, Geraldton, Central Desert, Goldfields and South West. Each of these regions has a federally funded statuatory body that is available to assist Aboriginal people in the preparation of their native title claim applications.

Known as Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs), these Aboriginal Corporations represent the majority of claims that fall within their designated regions. (Claimants may choose independent representation if they wish). The functions of an NTRB are described in section 203B of the Native Title Act 1993.

In general, the NTRBs:

• assist claimants in the preparation of anthropological and historical evidence in support of their claim applications.
• provide claimants with legal representation.
• act as mediators between the claimants and the State Government.

Native Title Representative Bodies