Senior Anthropologist - Native Title

Northern Land Council; Darwin; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + 15% superannuation

Salary sacrificing options

District and other allowances

Paid time off

Annual airfare

Job summary

The 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 provide expert anthropological advice across native title work, coordinating research and collaborating with legal and community teams.

Reporting to the Manager Anthropology, you will review connection reports, mentor developing anthropologists, and engage with Aboriginal people and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 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 ability to quickly acquire.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Research skills

Cultural sensitivity

Collaborative work

Education

Honours degree in Anthropology

Job description

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 annumplus 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 allowanceof up to $5,064 (DA2) per annum for individuals with dependents and $2,678 (DA1) without dependents.
  • Generous leave provisions5 weeks annual leave, leaving loading, 18 days personal leave;
  • Paid Christmasclose down;
  • Upon completion of 12 months of service anAnnual airfare with a net (in hand) value of $3,453

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

Applications Close: Tuesday 13 October 2026

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.