Native Title Act 1993

In summary, this Division provides that certain acts attributable to the Commonwealth that were done on or before 23 December 1996 will have completely or partially extinguished native title.

If the acts were previous exclusive possession acts (involving the grant or vesting of things such as freehold estates or leases that conferred exclusive possession, or the construction or establishment of public works), the acts will have completely extinguished native title.

If the acts were previous non‑exclusive possession acts (involving grants of non‑exclusive agricultural leases or non‑exclusive pastoral leases), they will have extinguished native title to the extent of any inconsistency.

This Division also allows States and Territories to legislate, in respect of certain acts attributable to them, to extinguish native title in the same way as is done under this Division for Commonwealth acts.