Senior Anthropologist - Native Title

Northern Land Council; Darwin; On-site; AUD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% Superannuation

Salary sacrificing benefits

Annual airfare after 12 months

Job summary

Northern Land Council in Darwin is seeking a Senior Native Title Anthropologist to contribute to pre-determination, post-determination and future acts matters. You will apply rigorous anthropological methods in research that informs native title outcomes and work with communities and knowledge-holders across the Top End.

The role reports to the Manager Anthropology and involves coordinating research, reviewing connection reports, and mentoring junior anthropologists within a multidisciplinary

Qualifications

• Honours degree in Anthropology or related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience in native title or applied anthropological research.
• Strong knowledge of Indigenous Australian culture and society.
• Ability to understand Aboriginal law and native title processes, with capacity to learn quickly.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist anthropological advice across the NLC’s native title work.
• Undertake and coordinate research into the rights and interests of claimant groups.
• Review connection reports and mentor developing anthropologists within the Service Area.
• Collaborate with legal and other colleagues, and engage with external stakeholders.

Skills

Research skills

Cultural sensitivity

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Honours in Anthropology

Job description

• Location: Darwin
• Status: Full-time ongoing

Put your anthropological expertise to work supporting Aboriginal people’s rights and interests in land and waters across the Top End. The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking a Senior Native Title Anthropologist to contribute to pre-determination, post-determination and future acts matters. You will have the opportunity to undertake research that informs native title outcomes and work alongside people with deep knowledge of Country, law and culture.

About The Role

Reporting to the Manager Anthropology, you will provide specialist anthropological advice across the NLC’s native title work. You will undertake and coordinate research into the rights and interests of claimant groups, collaborate with legal and other colleagues, and engage with external stakeholders. You will also review connection reports, provide expert feedback and mentor developing anthropologists within the Service Area.

This role offers the scope to apply rigorous anthropological methods to complex, consequential matters, with the support of a multidisciplinary team and a clear connection between your research and its practical use.

What You Will Bring

You are an experienced anthropologist with strong research skills and an understanding of native title processes. You can work through complex evidence, produce clear and defensible anthropological material, and build respectful working relationships with Aboriginal people and communities. You bring sound judgement, cultural sensitivity and a collaborative approach, while maintaining the independence and professional standards your work demands.

In addition to this, you will have:

• Minimum Honours degree in Anthropology or related discipline
• Minimum three (3) years’ relevant experience in native title or applied anthropological research
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Australian culture, customs and society
• Working knowledge of the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976, Native Title Act 1993 and Northern Territory Sacred Sites Act 1989, or the ability to quickly acquire

For a full copy of the Position Description refer to the link provided below.

What’s in it for you?

At the NLC, you’ll be part of a team that’s grounded in purpose and committed to Country. You’ll lead work that matters—supporting Traditional Owners, protecting cultural knowledge, and enabling informed decision-making through the power of spatial data. In return, you’ll enjoy a supportive workplace, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a lasting impact across the Northern Territory.

We Offer

• A base salary of $119,571 per annum plus 15% superannuation paid on base and (DA)
• Salary sacrificing up to $15,900 + Meal Entertainment and Holiday Accommodation benefit up to $2,650 per year.
• Other benefits under our Enterprise Agreement include:
• District allowance of up to $5,064 (DA2) per annum for individuals with dependents and $2,678 (DA1) without dependents.
• Generous leave provisions 5 weeks annual leave, leaving loading, 18 days personal leave;
• Paid Christmas close down;
• Upon completion of 12 months of service an Annual airfare with a net (in hand) value of $3,453

Applications Close: Tuesday 13 October 2026

For further enquiries, please contact: Lucinda O’Connor on 0428 810 690

About The NLC

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth. The NLC is established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976 and its purpose is to serve its constituents who are Traditional Owners (TOs) and other Aboriginal people living in their region. Cultural knowledge and lived experience are central to the work that we do here at NLC. We are committed to enhancing Aboriginal peoples social, political and economic participation by supporting their aspirations and amplifying their voices on a range of issues impacting on their lands, seas, culture and communities.