Tschirpig Conveyancing has over 30 years of experience as conveyancers serving property buyers and sellers in Darwin and across the Northern Territory. Our locally owned and run firm can also help you understand land rights and what to expect when looking into property.
The Land Rights Act (1976)
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1976 is Commonwealth legislation applicable in the Northern Territory only. This historic law acknowledges Aboriginal Traditional Land Owners and their system of land ownership, offering protected ways for First Nations people to own, control and use land resources. Aboriginal land in the Territory falls under inalienable freehold, meaning it cannot be purchased or sold. Long-term leases may be granted by a land trust for different uses as Traditional Owners manage the land in collaboration with the land council.
In 2007, the Land Rights Act was amended to introduce the Executive Director of Township Leasing position, offering another way to administer Aboriginal land communities. The Executive Director maintains long-term leases on the Australian Government, land council and land trust’s behalf. They can hold leases for housing and other purposes on Aboriginal land in the NT.
How Conveyancers Help Land Trusts
Given the Land Rights Act unique to the Northern Territory, Darwin conveyancers have a detailed understanding of this system and how to work with land trusts to provide proper legal documentation for property use. Also, conveyancers will complete land titles and caveat searches when preparing and exchanging contracts of sale to ensure it’s not actually under Aboriginal ownership. If you have any questions about the legal regulations applicable to land ownership in the NT, it’s worth speaking to territory conveyancing specialists.
Review Key Land Rights Considerations
Tschirpig Conveyancing prepares, clarifies and lodges all required legal documentation for the transfer of property ownership. We are the largest NT conveyancing firm offering comprehensive services since 1996. If you have questions about land rights and how they apply, we can walk you through the legal considerations. Call 08 8995 4900 for territory conveyancing services.
