Native Title Officer Scheme

Overview

The Australian Government is inviting applications via an open competitive process to apply for funding under the Native Title Officer Scheme (the program), which is a sub-component of Program 1.4: Justice Services. The grant opportunity is offered nationally from July 2022 to 30 June 2025.  The objective of the program is to support access to justice by facilitating efficient and effective resolution of native title claims. This is achieved by contributing towards the salary of native title officers (NTOs), who work with individuals and organisations who are respondents to native title litigation. The intended outcomes of the program are: increased understanding of native title issues by members of peak bodies or organisations coordination of instructions to legal representatives, and the grouping of respondents in claim areas. Grouping of native title respondents in this manner assists with the efficient and cost-effective resolution of claims as parties with similar interests are represented by a single legal representative. While the maximum grant period is 3 years ending 30 June 2025, agreements can be made for one, 2 or 3 years.