Native Title Law Database

The Native Title Law Database is an online resource that brings together summaries of native title cases and legislation from across Australia. It is published by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and was previously known as What's New in Native Title. Native title refers to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights and interests in land and waters under their traditional laws and customs.

Each entry in the database includes a plain-language summary and a direct link to the original court judgment or piece of legislation. The database is searchable by legal issue, court, native title or language group name, year, jurisdiction, and keyword. Summaries of cases and legislation from 2014 onwards are currently available, with earlier material being added on a rolling basis.

This resource gives readers a practical way to track how native title law has developed over time and to find decisions relevant to specific groups, regions, or legal questions. It does not require a legal background to use, though some familiarity with the native title system will help readers get the most from it.

The database is most useful for traditional owners and their representatives, lawyers and legal researchers, policy officers, and social enterprise practitioners working on land, country, or community-based projects where native title rights may be relevant.