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History of native title claims and settlements in Victoria

  • The Mabo decision and Native Title

    In 1992, Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first person to have his native title rights recognised in Australia. On behalf of his people – the Meriam people of the Torres Strait – he took this claim to the High Court of Australia (Mabo v Queensland No 2).

    The High Court's landmark decision of 3 June 1992 overturned the concept of ‘terra nullius' (meaning that no one owned the lands before European Settlement). This paved the way for the recognition and protection of native title across Australia, and the passing of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

  • Yorta Yorta people

    The first native title claim in Victoria was made in 1994 by the Yorta Yorta people. The claim was contested through the Federal Court and High Court and resulted in a negative determination in 2002. 

    In June 2004, the Victorian Government entered into a co-operative management agreement with Yorta Yorta over certain public lands that formed part of their native title claim area.

  • Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples

    13 December 2005

    On 13 December 2005, native title was determined to exist for the first time in Victoria for the people of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples of the Wimmera and Southern Mallee. 

  • Gunditjmara people

    30 March 2007

    On 30 March 2007, the Gunditjmara people in the south west of Victoria were also found to hold native title. The Victorian Government consented to both of these Federal Court determinations. 

  • Gunaikurnai people

    20 October 2010

    On 22 October 2010, the first agreements under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Vic) were reached with the Gunaikurnai people of Gippsland. 

  • Gunditjmara and Eastern Maar peoples

    27 July 2011

    On 27 July 2011, the Federal Court found that the Gunditjmara and Eastern Maar peoples hold co-existing native title over some areas of Crown land in the south west of Victoria.

  • Dja Dja Wurrung people

    28 March 2013

    On 28 March 2013, the Victorian Government and the Dja Dja Wurrung people entered into a Recognition and Settlement Agreement under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act.

  • Taungurung people

    26 October 2018

    On 26 October 2018, the Victorian Government and the Taungurung people signed a suite of agreements under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act and related legislation.

  • Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk People of the Wotjobaluk Nations (WJJWJ Peoples)

    25 October 2022

    On 25 October 2022, the Victorian Government and the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk People of the Wotjobaluk Nations (WJJWJ Peoples) signed agreements under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act.

  • Eastern Maar people

    28 March 2023

    On 28 March 2023, the Federal Court found that the Eastern Maar people hold native title over Crown land in south western Victoria. Some areas of Eastern Maar’s claim remain in mediation before the Federal Court.

Updated