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Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

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AIATSIS acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of Country and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

Explore
Family history
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Before you start Read about what you should know before you begin.
- Research step-by-step Follow our steps for doing family history research.
- Family history sources Learn about the different sources of family history information.
- Where to get help Access assistance in your state and territory.
Collection
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Search the Collection Search and explore the AIATSIS Collection of more than 1 million items related to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Featured collections Browse some of our featured collections which have been digitised as part of our ongoing preservation work.
- Using the Collection You can search the Collection online or visit the Stanner Reading Room to view or listen to collection items and conduct research.
- Caring for the Collection We have the largest and best contextualised collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage in the world, and it continues to grow.
- Donate to the Collection We welcome donations of unpublished materials relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, culture, knowledge, and experience.
Research
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Current projects Our research contributes to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and has a direct benefit to the communities we work with.
- Ethical research We provide leadership in ethics and protocols for research related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and collections.
- Indigenous Research Exchange We improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by ensuring there is more involvement and agency in research projects.
- Native title research and access service The Native Title Research and Access Service is your first stop for information about the native title resources in the AIATSIS collection.
- Research publications and reports We produce a range of publications and other resources derived from our research.
- Guides and resources We have produced a range of resources, databases, indexes, finding aids and reading lists to help you with your research and to find information in our Collection.
- AIATSIS Centre for Australian Languages Most of the estimated 250 Australian languages and 600-700 dialects are represented in our unrivalled language holdings.
Education
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Curriculum resources AIATSIS Education offers a growing bank of educational resources aligned with Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum.
- Expression of Interest – AIATSIS Education Advisory Committee
- Schools program We offer transformative learning experiences for all Australian students and teachers.
- Professional development We offer high quality, culturally responsive and racially literate teacher professional development both in person and online.
- Guide to evaluating and selecting education resources This guide supports educators to make conscious and critical decisions when selecting curriculum resources.
- Core e-learning suite The Core e-learning suite consists of courses that have been developed to strengthen individual and organisational cultural capability.
What's new
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- News Read all our latest news and media releases.
- Events Find out about all of our upcoming events and conferences.
- Podcasts Listen, learn and be inspired by the stories of Australia’s First Peoples.
- Blogs Discover the stories behind the work we do and some of the items in our Collection.
- AIATSIS Summit 2026 We are pleased to partner with the Danggan Balun Aboriginal Corporation (DBAC) at the Gold Coast, Queensland.
About
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Connect with us We invite you to connect with us on social media. Join our strong and growing membership and support our foundation.
- What we do We tell the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia and create opportunities for people to encounter, engage and be transformed by that story.
- Who we are We are Australia's only national institution focused exclusively on the diverse history, cultures and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.
- Work with us We recognise that our staff and volunteers are our most valuable asset.
- Ngurra Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct will be nationally significant in speaking to the central place that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold in Australia’s story.
- AIATSIS Central Australia We’ve opened a new facility in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
- Aboriginal Studies Press Aboriginal Studies Press (ASP) is Australia’s leading publisher of Australian Indigenous studies.
- Return of Cultural Heritage AIATSIS is leading the Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) program to return Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material held overseas to Australia.
- Public Facilities Discover our public facilities options and services
- Support our work Join us and support the revival and maintenance of some of the oldest languages, songs and words in the world
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Research publications

We produce a range of publications and other resources derived from our research. We also publish the Australian Aboriginal Studies journal and trade titles through our publishing arm Aboriginal Studies Press.

We regularly publish scholarly, peer-reviewed research on a range of topics as well as exploratory works and ideas in the field of Indigenous studies. Our aim is to provide a publications outlet for Indigenous Australian authors and for researchers working in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.

Australian Aboriginal Studies journal

Australian Aboriginal Studies is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal promoting high-quality research in Australian Indigenous studies, with a focus on the humanities and social sciences.

Research guides and resources

These publications provide easy-to-access summaries and guides on a range of native title and Indigenous research topics and resources.

Issues and discussion papers

We produce issues and discussion papers which provide an in-depth analysis of emerging and contemporary issues. All papers are independently peer reviewed.

Native Title Newsletter

The Native Title Newsletter is published twice a year and provides organisations, practitioners and individuals involved in native title with up-to-date news, resources and developments in native title.

Presentations

Explore presentations from our research activities, conferences, seminars and symposiums.

Research books and monographs

We publish edited volumes and monographs in a range of areas including land rights and native title, history, anthropology, cultural and legal studies, governance, education, linguistics and health.

Research reports

The results of our workshops, research projects and forums are published in a range of research reports that provide timely updates on research findings.

Submissions

We regularly provide strong, evidence-based advice to the Australian government on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the form of public submissions.

Last updated: 25 May 2022