The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, has invited Cape York Land Council (CYLC), Kimberley Land Council (KLC), North Queensland Land Council (NQLC) and Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) to apply for further terms as the native title representative bodies for their regions (see map below). Native title representative bodies help people to make native title claims and agreements and resolve native title disputes. KLC, NQLC and YMAC’s current terms as representative bodies end on 30 June 2026. CYLC’s current term as a representative body ends on 31 December 2026.
People with native title interests in the regions covered by these organisations, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in those regions can make a submission about the relevant organisation to inform the Minister’s decision.
Making a submission
Submissions are due by 5.00 pm AEDT on 2 March 2026.
They can be made via email to nativetitle@niaa.gov.au or via post to:
Land and Native Title Branch
National Indigenous Australians Agency
PO Box 2191
CANBERRA ACT 2600
When sending in your submission, we ask that you provide a first name, surname and contact details, however anonymous submissions or those using a pseudonym will also be accepted.
All submissions received will be disclosed to the relevant organisation (CYLC, KLC, NQLC or YMAC) which will be given an opportunity to comment.
Privacy notice
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is collecting your personal information for the purpose of coordinating submissions from individuals or organisations on the CYLC, KLC, NQLC and YMAC’s applications to be recognised as native title representative bodies under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
All submissions received will be disclosed to the relevant organisation, which will be given an opportunity to comment. Submissions will also be disclosed to the Minister, who will decide whether to recognise each organisation as a native title representative body. Submissions may also be provided to other Commonwealth government agencies with an interest in the application.
The NIAA will not publish any submissions and it is unlikely your personal information will be disclosed overseas.
Unless you consent or the law requires, the personal information collected as part of the submission process will not be provided to any other individual or organisation.
There are no consequences if you do not make a submission, as participation in the submission process is voluntary.
The NIAA’s Privacy Policy | NIAA explains how we handle and protect the information we hold. The NIAA’s Privacy Policy also explains how you can request access to or correct the personal information we hold about you, and who to contact if you have a privacy enquiry or complaint.
To find out more about how we manage personal information you may contact:
NIAA Privacy Officer
Phone: (02) 6152 3080
Email: privacy@niaa.gov.au.
Map of representative body regions
