Leonard Hill has been appointed chief executive of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) for a term of four years.

The Ngemba man from north-west New South Wales has a wealth of experience Indigenous Affairs across three decades, working for Federal and State Governments as well as Aboriginal Community Organisations.

Mr Hill has been serving in the role in an acting capacity for the last 12 months.

AIATSIS has been at the forefront of a number of successful efforts to bring culturally significant items back to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from overseas, as well as delivering on many of the Institute's strategic objectives including expanding its presence outside of the nation's capital.

This includes the opening of the AIATSIS office in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, giving First Nations communities in Central Australia in-person access to more than a million cultural items, including 42,000 hours of audio, more than 700,000 photographs and 6 million feet of film.

Mr Hill thanked both the federal government and the AIATSIS Council for "instilling their trust" in him to continue in the role.

"I proudly walk in the footsteps of those who have come before me and as we celebrate our 60 year anniversary in 2024, I look to the future of this world class organisation and focus my efforts on continuing to tell the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia and to create a world in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights, knowledges, cultures and stories are recognised, respected, celebrated and valued," Mr Hill said.

"I am immensely proud of the work we do at AIATSIS, and the partnerships forged between the Communities and organisations that embody our collective commitment and dedication to truth-telling, understanding and reconciliation between nations and peoples."

AIATSIS is Australia's only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led national cultural institution. It celebrates, as well as educates and inspires people to connect with the rights, knowledge, cultures, and stories of First Nations peoples.

Earlier this year, former Minister for Indigenous affairs, Linda Burney, confirmed the plans to build a revamped Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct in Canberra, creating a place "where Australians – including us – students, and international visitors can learn, experience and engage with over 65,000 years of culture, tradition, and story".

Minister for Indigenous affairs, Malarndirri McCarthy, welcomed Mr Hill to the permanent role, saying he brings a "wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating the cultures, histories and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples".

She said AIATSIS is an "incredibly rich resource" for First Nations people across Australia, and helps connect them to family, culture and identity.

"With Mr Hill at the helm I am confident AIATSIS will continue to serve as a vital link, preserving and sharing knowledge that strengthens the connection to Country and culture for generations to come," Minister McCarthy said.