National Native Title Tribunal - Native Title Registrar

Information about the National Native Title Tribunal

The National Native Title Tribunal (the Tribunal) is a national independent statutory body constituted under the Native Title Act 1993 (the Act). The Tribunal comprises a President, Members, and a Native Title Registrar, all of whom are appointed by the Governor-General. The statutory office-holders of the Tribunal each have separate and specific functions and responsibilities to perform under the Act.

The Tribunal has a wide range of functions under the Act. The Tribunal works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as non-Indigenous parties in carrying out the functions of the Tribunal. The principal work of the Tribunal involves mediating and arbitrating disputes over certain proposed future acts (such as the grant of a mining lease) in native title areas, as well as mediating native title claims referred by the Federal Court of Australia. The Tribunal assists parties to negotiate Indigenous Land Use Agreements and resolve native title disputes, and assists representative bodies to perform their own dispute resolution functions. The Tribunal is also responsible for a new function of assisting in dispute management and resolution at the request of native title holders and Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate. The Tribunal also conducts inquiries into issues connected with native title claims, and contributes to community liaison and education around native title.

The Tribunal has a staff of 64 located across offices in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Cairns. The position can be based in either Brisbane or Perth. The 2022-23 Budget for the Tribunal is $8,172,004.

Further information about the Tribunal may be obtained from the Tribunal's website.

Role of the Native Title Registrar

The Government is looking for a dynamic and collaborative Native Title Registrar with vision and cultural competence to form part of the Tribunal's leadership team for the next five years. The Native Title Registrar is responsible to the President of the Tribunal for general administration and staff management, and is actively involved in the Tribunal's mediation and educational functions. Under the Act, the Native Title Registrar's responsibilities include:

  • maintaining the National Native Title Register, the Register of Native Title Claims, and the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements
  • assessing native title claimant applications and Indigenous Land Use Agreements that meet the tests for registration
  • giving notice of native title applications and Indigenous Land Use Agreements to individuals, organisations, governments and the public
  • assisting claimants and other interested parties, and
  • reporting on specified matters to the Federal Court.

Eligibility

Section 95 of the Act provides that to be eligible for appointment as Native Title Registrar of the Tribunal, a person must:

  • be enrolled as a legal practitioner of the High Court, another federal court or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory, and
  • have substantial experience in relation to
    • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander societies; or
    • the law; or
    • administration; or
    • any other activities relevant to the duties of Native Title Registrar.

Applicants must have, or be able to hold, a baseline security clearance. To be eligible for an Australian Government security clearance, you must be an Australian citizen and have a checkable background.

Selection Criteria

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria under section 95 of the Act (set out above), to be successful in the role you will need to:

  • demonstrate knowledge, understanding or experience of the Act (including the future acts regime under the Act) to effectively perform the statutory functions of Native Title Registrar of the Tribunal
  • Demonstrate and commit to a practice of cultural competence, particularly as it relates to First Nations people and communities
  • meet the following selection criteria consistent with the APSC Merit and Transparency Guidelines for APS statutory office holder appointments:
    • Shapes strategic thinking
      • Inspires a sense of purpose and direction
      • Focuses strategically
      • Harnesses information and opportunities
      • Shows judgement, intelligence and common sense
    • Achieves results
      • Builds organisational capability and responsiveness
      • Marshals professional expertise
      • Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty
      • Ensures closure and delivers on intended results
    • Cultivates productive working relationships
      • Nurtures internal and external relationships
      • Facilitates cooperation and partnerships
      • Values individual differences and diversity
      • Guides, mentors and develops people
    • Exemplifies personal drive and integrity
      • Demonstrates professionalism and probity
      • Engages with risk and shows personal courage
      • Commits to action
      • Displays resilience
      • Demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to personal development
    • Communicates with influence.
      • Communicates clearly
      • Listens, understands and adapts to audience
      • Negotiates persuasively

People who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander are strongly encouraged to apply.

Terms and conditions

The successful applicant will be appointed as Native Title Registrar on a full-time basis for a period of up to five years. The position can be based in the Brisbane or the Perth office. Remuneration and allowances for the position are set by the Remuneration Tribunal. Remuneration Tribunal (Judicial and Related Offices – Remuneration and Allowances) 2022 is the current determination. It can be viewed on the Remuneration Tribunal website.

How to apply

Applications must include:

  • an expression of interest, of no more than 4 pages, including a statement of claims against the eligibility and selection criteria as outlined
  • a resume, of no more than 6 pages, including full particulars of qualifications, experience and expertise
  • the names and contact details of two referees who have direct and relevant experience of the applicant's work. Applicants will be notified prior to referees being contacted.

Applications should be emailed to appointments@ag.gov.au by 5.00pm (AEDT) on Friday, 9 December 2022.

Contact

Enquiries about the position or application can be emailed to appointments@ag.gov.au.

Assessment process

Applicants will be initially assessed by a panel on their written application. Shortlisted applicants will be further assessed by the panel at interview.

Communication

All advice and communication will be sent to applicants via email. Please ensure the email address provided is correct.