Leasing Indigenous land

You can lease Indigenous land from the trustee for a term of up to 99 years. You’ll be able to use the land for an agreed purpose and timeframe, and often you can renew the lease when the 99 years are over.

You’ll pay yearly rent and a one-off price to lease the land. You’ll need to follow any terms and conditions that apply to the lease.

Benefits of leasing

Leasing Indigenous land means that:

• you can access opportunities for home ownership and economic development
• a long-term lease gives you security to get a loan for a home or business
• trustees earn income for caring for the land.

What you can get a lease for

Home ownership leases

If you’re Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander, you can apply for a 99-year lease for a private residence.

Find out more about home ownership leases, including how to know if you're eligible.

Other purposes

Leases can be granted for any other purpose, including:

• commercial activities
• cultural activities
• religious practices
• government services
• public infrastructure.

Find out how to get a lease for something other than home ownership.

What land is Indigenous land?

You can see land that’s been identified as Indigenous land through our online maps. This includes land that’s been transferred and deed of grant in trust (DOGIT) land.

Who is the trustee?

The trustee is an organisation that holds the land in trust and is responsible for its care. This might be an Indigenous Council or an organisation representing the Traditional Owners.

To find out who the trustee of a particular area is:

1. Use the Queensland Globe to find the details of the lot you’re interested in.
2. Visit Titles Queensland and purchase a title search for the lot.

Already applied for a lease?

In some communities, there may be leases (or lease applications) under the old Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (Land Holding) Act 1985 (often called Land Holding Act or 'Katter’ leases). If you or your family made one of these applications, find out your next steps.