January 14, 2026
On 4 December 2025, another significant milestone in Western Australia’s native title landscape was achieved with the Federal Court of Australia recognising the Payarri People’s native title in the Northern Goldfields. Native Title Services Goldfields congratulates the Payarri native title holders on this long-awaited outcome, which marked the 125th consent determination recognising native title in WA. The determination covers an area of approximately 3,702 square kilometres of land and is located west of the Waturta native title claim, east of the Kultju native title determination, and south of the Wiluna native title determination.
The Payarri Application was filed on 23 March 2022, with assistance from Native Title Services Goldfields. In June 2025, Central Desert Native Title Services subsequently took carriage of the matter pursuant to an agreement with NTSG under section 203BD of the Native Title Act. The determination and recognition of Payarri People’s enduring connection and custodianship of the land and waters of the determination area follows more than three years negotiation between the Payarri claimants, respondents and the State of Western Australia. NTSG also wishes to congratulate Central Desert Native Title Services for the work they did in assisting the Payarri native title holders achieve this wonderful outcome.
The Payarri native title holders nominated, and the Court ordered, that the Payarri Aboriginal Corporation (ICN:11774) will be the prescribed body corporate (PBC) which will hold the determined native title in trust for the Payarri native title holders. The corporations contact details can be located on ORIC’s public register at the following link: https://mycorp.oric.gov.au/public-register/public-register-details/?id=2c02a121-1098-f011-b41c-7ced8d32f58b .