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About the Native Title Unit

The Department of Justice resolves native title issues on behalf of the Victorian Government.

This is by:

1. responding to applications for determinations of native title lodged in the Federal Court by Aboriginal Traditional Owners over Crown lands in Victoria
2. entering into agreement-making with Traditional Owner groups under the Victorian Native Title Settlement Framework
3. or a combination of both.

Within the department, the Native Title Unit is responsible for native title issues.

The role of the Native Title Unit is to:

• provide policy advice on native title and related issues
• negotiate agreements under the Victorian Native Title Settlement Framework
• manage native title claims under the Federal Court process on behalf of the State of Victoria
• implement a coordinated approach to managing native title claims and negotiating Framework agreements  across Government agencies.

The Native Title Unit works in collaboration with other state agencies including; the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Department of Planning and Community Development, the Department of Primary Industries, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Treasury and Finance, and Parks Victoria  to negotiate Framework agreements and/or resolve native title claims.

The focus of Native Title Unit’s activities are:

• agreement making with Traditional Owner groups under the Victorian Native Title Settlement Framework that resolve their native title claims, build strong partnerships with Traditional Owner groups and ensure the successful implementation of agreements
• progressing specific claims towards settlements and implementing those settlements