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Research & Media

Permission Land Council Role Cultural Considerations
Copyright Permit Application Form

Aboriginal land - and Arnhem Land in particular - is a drawcard for researchers and media outlets, who are attracted by opportunities to study Aboriginal peoples' unique societies and produce material featuring various aspects of Aboriginal culture and lifestyles, stunning landscapes and "Outback" experiences. Numerous requests are recieved each month.

Be aware that media permits take a minimum of 10 days to process, while research and commercial filming permits can take up to 56 days.

Permission

The information provided on this website aims to outline the processes you must go through to obtain a permit giving you permission to enter Aboriginal land and conduct your activities.

In short, everyone intending to conduct research, publish any photographs or written material or produce a film or documentary based on your visit will require a special permit, with particular conditions attached to this permission.

Please read General Information, as well as this section, very carefully.

In some communities and for large projects, you may be required to enter a formal agreement. This agreement will stipulate authorised activities, locations, payments, approvals etc.

Please also read the Getting Started to Doing Business on Aboriginal Land and Land Use Agreements.

It is your responsibility to select a community which you think will best suit your needs and gain support for your research or media project (e.g. relevant organisation) before applying for a permit. There is limited or no accommodation available to visitors for either short or long term stays.

If the purpose of your visit is to obtain, study or collect bush material, rocks, animals etc, you must also obtain a Licence Number from:
Parks and Wildlife Commission Northern Territory
Phone: 08 8999 4795
before your permit can be processed.

Land Council Role

The Land Council's job is to protect the interests of the traditional Aboriginal owners of land and other Aboriginal people with interests in that land.

It must make sure that the relevant Aboriginal people know about any planned project on their land and understand its implications.

The Land Council is responsible for ascertaining and expressing their wishes and negotiating any permission or agreement on their behalf to make sure it is fair.

Cultural Considerations

In particular, the Land Council attempts to make sure that activities on the land and material published is not offensive to the cultural heritage of the Aboriginal people involved.

This means there are strict conditions attached to where people can go and what they can photograph, film or record, as there is a body of traditions, observances, customs and beliefs relating to people, areas, sites and objects. For instance, some sites and ceremonies cannot be viewed by the general public and there are strong conditions attached to the use of people's images which could mean, for instance, that it is offensive to take photographs of people and/or print a photograph of a person who has died.

Even when you have received a research, media or commercial filming permit, you must always seek permission from people if you want to take their photograph, film or record them.

NB: A set of protocols has been prepared to assist media representatives cover news stories on Aboriginal Land.

Protocols for Media Access: details the conditions under which media workers are given access to Aboriginal land.

Protocols for Media Behaviour: outlines the standards of behaviour expected of media workers visiting Aboriginal land.

Protocols are in PDF format, to download Acrobat Reader click on icon below.

Copyright

It is also important that Aboriginal Intellectual Property Rights are protected and recognised through copyright laws etc. Some communities may require a written agreement with researchers in which they own or share intellectual property rights and control publication.

In some instances, the Northern Land Council may hold intellectual property rights for the traditional owners.

The website containing the report on Australian Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights is www.icip.lawnet.com.au

Permit Application Form

Application Forms are in PDF format.

Research Permit Application Form

Media Permit Application Form

Commercial Filming Permit Application Form

See also: Getting Started in Doing Business on Aboriginal Land.