The first step in lodging a Native Title claim is to lodge a "Native Title Determination Application" with the Federal Court of Australia.

Information that is required to be submitted in a Native Title Determination Application includes:

• Details of the authorisation by the Native Title group for members who are making the application on their behalf

• Details of who the claim is being made on behalf of. For example "The descendants of the founding ancestors of the traditional owners"

• Details of the area claimed in the Application, showing precise boundaries

• The type of area claimed, for example all land and waters within the boundary, with detailed maps being provided

• A description of the Native Title rights and interests claimed in relation to the area of the claim. The types of rights and interests commonly claimed in a Native Title determination application include: exclusive possession, ownership, right to natural resources, right to trade, right to make decisions, right to give or refuse access, protection of heritage, management of spiritual business, transmission of rights, care, custody and responsibility

• Details of activities currently being carried out by the Native Title claim group in relation to the area claimed

• Details of what the Native Title group wants to achieve through the Native Title Determination Application

• Details of land tenure issues

• Details of any traditional physical connection with the land or waters covered by the application by any member of the Native Title claim group

• A statement by the applicants as to how they are authorized to make the application and deal with matters arising in relation to it by all the other persons in the Native Title claim group

• Information as to how the rights and interests claimed in the application can be established