About SWALSC

The South West Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) is a native title representative body which works in the interests of the Noongar People. The Noongar People come from the south west of Western Australia. It is estimated that there are approximately 30,000 Noongars living in the south west making the Noongar People the largest Indigenous group in Australia.

SWALSC’s main role is working with Noongar People to facilitate their native title claims to determination. This includes providing legal representation and support, undertaking significant research and anthropological studies, as well as coordinating family claimant meetings.

In addition to this, SWALSC works to preserve and continue Noongar History, Culture and Society. This is achieved through working with communities to protect and regenerate natural vegetation through Caring for Country which is a natural resource management program, as well as other projects which maintain the rich Noongar Culture.

SWALSC is a member focused organisation and currently has over 2,500 members. Memebrship is open to all Noongar people over the age of 18. Please visit our membership page for further details on becoming a member of SWALSC. It is free to join.

SWALSC’s boundaries generally correspond with those of the former Perth Noongar Regional Council and the Noongar Country Regional Council (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Regional Councils). It is estimated that approximately 30,000 Noongar people live in the region.

SWALSC has been funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (“OIPC”). At the beginning of the year this was part of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (“DIMIA”) but moved to the department of Family, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. This funding is to enable SWALSC to perform its operations and functions under the NTA.

The Governing Committee has 15 elected members who provide policy guidance to the organisation. The day to day management of SWALSC is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer who is a salaried officer.