Aboriginal Lands - Rules and Permits
There are many different Aboriginal lands and people - all of whom should be treated with respect.
Before entering, or crossing any Aboriginal Land you should find out what is required in the way of a permit. If you are going to visit a community, find out what is required before entering, and preferably do some research on their beliefs and culture. This Booklet about some Aboriginal customs for more information see Visiting Aboriginal Land which has lots of information. See also National Parks
Conditions of entry/transit
Some Simple Rules
Northern Territory Permits
South Australia Permits
Western Australia Permits
Plain English By Laws for WA but could be applicable in any State
Community_By-Laws
Alcohol consumption – in any State there may be local laws to consider. In some parts of Australia it against local law to consume or carry any alcohol. Be aware that some Aboriginal Communities may have rules prohibiting alcohol and other substances, and those laws should be respected.
The following is from the Dept of Indigenous Affair in WA but would be much the same in other States. Respect the rights of others, plus obey the laws, Federal, State and local and you should have no trouble.
Travel by Road through Aboriginal Lands
Q: Can I deviate off the main road to visit other parts of the reserve?
A: No. Transit permits are issued to enable people to pass through the reserve on the most direct route. Sufficient time is allowed to enable the journey to be taken, e.g. up to three days to pass through the Central Reserves.
NOTE: Waiting on legalities in relation to Ngaanyatjarra Land Council issuing permits on behalf of ALT. If applicants wish to take another route other than the main road, the ALT is obliged to seek the approval of the resident Aboriginal community/ies before issuing a permit. This may take some considerable time.
Q: Can I camp on the reserves off the main road?
A: No. There are camping/stopover facilities for travellers along the road crossing the Central Reserves at Tjukayirla, Warburton, Warakurna and Docker River Roadhouses.
Conditions of entry/transit
You must carry your permit in your vehicle while on Aboriginal reserve land.
Off road access is not permitted.
Do not leave the established road unless you have specific permission to do so.
Travel through the reserve land as quickly as possible.
If you are visiting an Aboriginal community for any reason, the issue of a permit does not imply that the Traditional Owners/Community members have been advised of your intended visit. Please inform the Aboriginal community of your arrival, particularly in the Pilbara and Kimberley Reserves.
The permit is only valid for the purpose and dates specified.
You must observe all laws having application in Western Australia including Aboriginal Community by-laws if applicable.
Do not undertake any mining or prospecting (including fossicking) within reserve lands unless you have a specific permit to do so.
Do not acquire or seek any Aboriginal art, sacred objects or artefacts other than from an approved agency.
Refrain from photographic activity of community areas and residents within reserve lands unless you have the prior approval of the resident community.
Use of firearms within reserve lands is prohibited.
Hunting or fishing within reserve lands is prohibited unless you have the appropriate approvals.
Littering within reserve lands is prohibited.
Consumption of alcohol within reserve lands is prohibited without the appropriate approvals.
Note: Under the Aboriginal Communities Act 1979, any person who brings, possesses or consumes alcohol on Ngaanyatjarra land (Central Reserves), or supplies it to others, commits an offence.
It is not an offence to simply transport alcohol through Ngaanyatjarra lands.
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Some Simple Rules
Please remember that travellers or visitors entering or passing through Aboriginal lands do so as guests of the local inhabitants. The usual rules of etiquette apply:
DO:
Introduce yourself on arrival if you are staying
Respect any community decision to guide your movements.
Learn about the community from the local Land Council or Department of Indigenous Affairs office prior to your visit.
Enquire about the conditions for the consumption of alcohol before your visit. Many communities do not permit alcohol.
Be courteous in your dealings with Aboriginal community members.
Carry adequate personal provisions, including medication, for your journey
DON'T
Arrive in a community and drive around within the area/reserve without the community's knowledge and permission.
Take photographs or do any filming/videoing without permission.
Visit without adequate personal provisions.
Assume that the community will agree to all your requests.
Attend ceremonies or meetings without being invited.
Assume that all Aboriginal communities are the same. They vary in cultural practices, language groups, population, facilities available, etc
Larger communities are generally run by a locally elected Community Council which is responsible for the administration of the community, including essential services, housing, medical services, roads, stores, workshops, etc. Government agencies may provide services and funding as required, e.g. education, health.
Apply for a permit to the Department Of Indigenous Affairs Western Australian Government
In Central Australia see the rules and apply for a permit here for Central Land Council: Permits Some roads do not require a permit, so check the site if in any doubt. Or for general tourist information for Central Australia
The attached document about permits is very detailed, but it is not known how old the content is, so may not be up-to-date. Please check further if in any doubt
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Northern Territory
Within the Northern Territory
For travel through Aboriginal lands within the Northern Territory:
Contact: The Northern Land Council
Phone: (08) 8920 5178
Fax: (08) 8945 2633
Permit enquiries: email
South of Tennant Creek
Contact: The Central Land Council – Head Office
Postal Address: PO Box 3321, Alice Springs, NT 0871
Phone: 08 8951 6211
Fax: 08 8953 4343
Website: Central Land Council website
Permit enquires: send an email
Central Reserves
For travel through the Central Reserves of the Northern Territory:
Tjulyuru Cultural and Civic Centre, Shire Of Ngaanyatjarraku, Warburton
Postal Address: PMB 71, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia 6430
Phone: (61 8) 8956 7966
Fax: (61 8) 8956 7959
Email: send an email
Ngaanyatjarra Land Council
Central Reserves: (Alice Springs - Western Australia or vice versa)
Phone: (08) 8950 1711, Fax: (08) 8953 1892
Email Enquiries: email
Gove, Northeast Arnhem Land
Information and application forms can be obtained from the Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation
Location: Arnhem Road, Nhulunbuy opposite the Captain Cook Shopping Centre
Postal Address: PO Box 1551 Nhulunbuy Northern Territory Australia 0881
Phone: 61 8 8987 3992
Fax: 61 8 8987 3224
Email: send an email
Permit enquiries: send an email
Website: Dhimurra Land Management website
Permit enquiries website: for more permit information or to apply on-line
Travel tips: Travel information
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South Australia
Within Northern South Australia
For travel through Aboriginal lands within Northern South Australia (e.g via Mulga Park - Giles Road, Surveyor Generals Corner):
Contact: Anangu Pitjantjatjaraku Yankunytjatjara Land Council
Postal Address: PMB 227 Umuwa via Alice springs NT 0872
Phone: 08 8954 8111 FAX: 08 8954 8110
Permit enquiries website : Permits on-line
Central South Australia
Permits are required to travel though the Woomera Prohibited Area, Maralinga Tjarutja Land, Unnamed Conservation Park and Tallaringa Conservation Park.
Camping in Tallaringa is permitted in clear areas within 100 metres of the Anne Beadell Highway.
Transit permits for Maralinga Tjarutja Aboriginal Lands - telephone on 08 8625 2946.
Permits for the Unnamed Conservation Park are obtained from the Department for Environment and Heritage Ceduna office on 08 8625 3144.
Transit permits for the Woomera Prohibited Area are available by calling 08 8674 3370.
Please note - pets are NOT permitted
South-Western South Australia
Permits are not required to travel through Yalata Aboriginal lands. However, if you intend to stay in the area, you will need a permit. Information and application forms can be obtained from the Yalata Indigenous Protected Area website
Permit enquires: for permits on-line
Or for more information about Aboriginal Lands in South Australia
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Western Australia
Within Western Australia
For travel throughout Aboriginal lands within Western Australia:
Contact: The Aboriginal Lands Trust WA
Easy Call Line - 1300 651 077. Dial this number from anywhere within Western Australia and you will automatically be connected to your regional Dept of Indigenous Affairs office for the cost of a local call.
Street Address: Level 1, 197 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
Postal Address PO Box 7770, Cloister's Square, Perth, Western Australia 6850
Phone: (08) 9235 8000
Fax: (08) 9235 8093
Email: General information: email
Permit: Click to make an On-line Application
Regional Offices: Website
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Plain English By-Laws the following was extracted from this site www.acpc.org.au/CONF95/Cowley.htm (but the paper has now been removed) it was only in the discussion stage when created, so it is not know if it now in use or not. (The rules are just "common sense" really, and may apply to any community)
Plain English by-laws have been drafted for each community, so community member/council has a much clearer understanding of the community by-laws.
Special Constables are able to use the plain English by-laws to explain to community members and school children about the rules in the community.
Community By-Laws
These are the (insert Community Name) COMMUNITY BY-LAWS which have been made by the Community Council.
They have been agreed to by the Governor and made into law.
The (Community Name) lands are shown on a map which goes with these by-laws.
Coming onto a Community
Members of the Community can come onto the (Community Name) land at any time.
Other people can only come onto the community land if the council gives them a permit.
The council can refuse a permit or can say what a person can or can't do on the community land.
The person must only do what the council says.
The council can stop a permit even after it has been given.
The council can give power to one of its workers, like the community adviser, to make decisions about permits.
A person is allowed to come onto the community land without a permit if there is another law which says that the person can come onto the land.
SIGNS
The council can put up signs on the community land saying that people cannot come onto the community land or cannot go to special places on the community land. These signs must be obeyed.
HOMES
A person can only enter another person's home if that person agrees and must leave that home if that person tells him to.
TRAFFIC SIGNS
The council can put up traffic signs for vehicles and for people walking. These signs must be obeyed.
DRIVING CAREFULLY
A person must drive carefully on community land and not cause danger to other people.
RULES FOR VEHICLES
The council can make rules about where vehicles can go on the community land and also say that only certain types of vehicles can go in certain places.
ALCOHOL - No one is to:-
bring alcohol onto the community land.
bring alcohol onto the community land without permission from the Community Council.
drink or keep alcohol:
give alcohol to somebody else; or
be drunk on community lands.
PETROL SNIFFING
No one is to sniff petrol.
DAMAGE
A person must not damage any trees, bushes, lawns, building, vehicles or anything else.
RUBBISH
No one is to leave any rubbish around on the community land.
DISORDERLY
No one is to swear or fight or behave badly where others can see or hear them.
MEETINGS
A meeting of the council or other community or law meeting must not be disturbed except if there is a proper reason.
FIRES
A person can make a fire in their own house or yard, but if they want to make a fire in another place it must be at a place where the council agrees.
Sometimes the bushfire law will say that fires are not allowed and this law must be obeyed.
GAMBLING
People can be dealt with under the by-laws if they gamble outside a house.
POLICE
A policeman can take a person away from the community land if that person has broken a by-law and is going to cause harm to other people or damage to people's property. The person can be made to stay away for up to 24 hours.
If a policeman thinks a person has broken a by-law he/she can ask that person their name and address and the person must tell them.
A policeman can bring a charge in court against a person for breaking a by-law.
PUNISHMENT
If people go against these by-laws they can be dealt with.
This could mean up to $100 fine and up to 3 months in prison. They could by dealt with in other ways as well, by being given work or counselling.
COMPENSATION
A person may also have to pay up to $250 compensation if damage has been caused. (Editors Note: Presume the actual cost of the damage is added on to this amount)
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