Confirmation of Aboriginality
Your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Heritage is something that is personal to you. You do not need Confirmation of Aboriginality to identify as an Indigenous person. However, you may be asked to provide Confirmation of Aboriginality when wanting to access Indigenous-specific services and programs.
To learn more about Confirmation of Aboriginality, visit here
To access a range of resources to assist you with your Aboriginal family history research, visit here.
Applying for Confirmation of Aboriginality at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation
Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation (TAC) Board of Directors will only consider Confirmation of Aboriginality applications where the applicant meets all the eligibility requirements.
Applicants who cannot satisfy the TAC Board of Directors that they are accepted as Aboriginal in the Tharawal community should instead make an application to an appropriate Local Aboriginal Land Council, an authorised Aboriginal organisation in their place of birth, or another Aboriginal organisation in which they are recognised and accepted.
If you are seeking to apply for Confirmation of Aboriginality at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, please read the eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions prior to completing the application form.
Eligibility Requirements
1. Aboriginality
To meet this criterion, you must be able to satisfy all three parts of the following definition.
- Descent – the individual can prove that a parent is of Aboriginal descent, and;
- Self-Identification – the individual identifies as an Aboriginal person, and;
- Community recognition – the individual is accepted as such by the Aboriginal community in which they live.
In cases of Stolen Generation or disconnection from family, the TAC Board of Directors will only consider applications where the applicant can provide clear supporting documentation that their family heritage is Aboriginal (from Link-Up or other such family history or reunification services).
2. Location and using TAC services
Relates to the coverage of TAC. To meet this criterion, you must:
- Live within the service area of TAC which is the local government areas of Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly, and;
- Be a client of TAC for a minimum of 12 months.
If your family heritage is from outside TAC’s service area, and you do not meet the above criteria, your application will not be accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who determines the outcome of my application?
Applications are only considered by the TAC Board of Directors.
2. How long will it take to process my application?
Issuing Confirmations of Aboriginality is not the core business of TAC, therefore there is no set timeframe for processing applications.
You will be contacted by TAC after your application has been processed, whether it has been approved or declined.
3. When is the next Confirmation of Aboriginality meeting?
Confirmation of Aboriginality meetings are by invitation only, and there is a wait list to attend. You will be contacted by TAC to advise you of the meeting details when it’s your time.
4. Do I have to attend a meeting to receive my Confirmation of Aboriginality?
Yes, if you are over the age of 18. Applicants under the age of 18 are welcome to attend the meeting, however their guardian must accompany them.
5. What if my application is declined?
Consideration and approval of Confirmations of Aboriginality is at the discretion of the TAC Board of Directors, who may decline an application for various reasons.
The TAC Board of Directors cannot issue you with a Confirmation of Aboriginality if you have not provided sufficient evidence to establish that you meet all the outlined eligibility criteria.
You may reapply if you feel you have further information or documentation, and the application will be reviewed.
6. What if I have more questions about Confirmation of Aboriginality?
For further enquiries, please call TAC on 02 4628 4837.
Submitting Confirmation of Aboriginality Applications
If you are seeking to apply for Confirmation of Aboriginality and you meet the eligibility criteria to apply at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, you must complete the application form below and have supporting documents.
You can submit Confirmation of Aboriginality applications and supporting documents in the following ways:
- By email to confirmation@tacams.com.au
- By post to PO Box 290, Campbelltown NSW 2560
- By handing it in at the Dental/Admin building