The Western Australian government is inviting Aboriginal people, stakeholders and the wider community to have their say on proposed changes the government says will "make it easier for Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT) land to be transferred into Aboriginal ownership and management".
Public consultation on the draft Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Amendment Bill 2026 and supporting regulations opened Monday, August 3.
The WA government said the proposed changes would "remove longstanding legislative barriers and create clearer pathways for Aboriginal people to own, manage and decide about land that has long been held for their benefit".
The reforms apply only to land within the ALT estate, which covers about 21.9 million hectares, representing approximately 8.7 per cent of Western Australia's landmass.
The ALT estate is already reserved for the benefit of Aboriginal people, and most of the land is subject to determined or claimed native title rights and interests.
Consultation sessions will be held across metropolitan and regional Western Australia:
- Boorloo / Perth - 3 August
- Port Hedland - 6 August
- Kalgoorlie - 11 August
- Rubibi / Broome - 18 August
- Kununurra - 20 August
An online consultation session will also be held on 14 August.
Written submissions can be made through the Have Your Say WA! website at: www.haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au/aapa-act-amendments
Consultation closes on 4 September.
The government said feedback received during the consultation process will "help shape the final legislation" before the Bill is introduced to Parliament.
WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said the changes are "about putting WA first by supporting Aboriginal people and communities to have a greater say in the management and future of land that has long been reserved for their benefit".
Mr Punch said the WA government is "committed to working alongside Aboriginal people to shape these important reforms" and he encouraged "anyone with an interest to take part in the consultation process".
"Listening to Aboriginal voices is central to this work and will help ensure the legislation delivers meaningful, long-term outcomes for future generations," the minister said.
More information, including the draft Bill, fact sheets, consultation schedule and supporting materials, is available online at: www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/aboriginal-affairs-planning-authority-act-1972.
