Proof of Aboriginality
Your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is something that is personal and you do not need a "letter of confirmation" to identify as an Indigenous person. However, you may need to have your identification as Indigenous person confirmed if you wish to apply for Indigenous-specific funding, loans, courses etc.
To confirm your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity, you will need to complete a "Confirmation of Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander Descent Form" and have it signed by an incorporated Indigenous community organisation. This would normally be an organisation in the community that your family is from or the community in which you live.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) Act includes three criteria for confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity that community organisations must consider when deciding whether to support an applicant. The applicant must:
- be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
- identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and
- be accepted as such by the community in which he or she lives, or formally lived.
A "Confirmation of Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander Descent" form is available from your local Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC):
- Phone:
- 1800 079 098 (toll free)†
- Website:
- www.icc.gov.au
- † Calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates.
Last updated: 07 April 2008.