Empowering First Nations Leadership on Country
The Mabo Centre is a transformational joint initiative of the National Native Title Council and the University of Melbourne.
The Mabo Centre will support Traditional Owners and First Nations youth to become community leaders and drive economic change in their communities.
Dr Eddie Koiki Mabo’s legacy
The Mabo legacy is one of empowerment, land and sea justice, and the ongoing fight for Indigenous rights and recognition in Australia.
His contributions have had an enduring influence on the landscape of Australian law and society and inspired generations of Indigenous activists and leaders in their fight for recognition and rights to country.
Read more about the legacy of Dr Mabo.
Our Key Areas of Focus
The Mabo Centre is governed by a Board of First Nations leaders and economic experts. It is championed by Co-Chairs Jamie Lowe (Chief Executive Officer of the National Native Title Council), Professor Marcia Langton (Associate Provost, University of Melbourne) and Professor Paul Kofman (Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne). The Mabo Centre will work to support Traditional Owners achieve successful Native Title outcomes for their communities through four focus areas -
Research
Informing national policy development that will support Traditional Owners to achieve the best possible outcomes from the resources they control and influence
Training
Working with Traditional Owners and their leadership to strengthen their capacities in crucial policy areas and skills
Exchange
Sharing knowledge through networked learning to support stronger Traditional Owner connections and effective agreement making
Acceleration
Driving entrepreneurship and leadership for Traditional Owner developed economies
Latest News
April 8, 2026 /
A legacy carried forward: honouring Eddie Koiki Mabo
In early 2025 Kaleb Mabo, grandson of Eddie Koiki Mabo, visited the Mabo Centre. He has generously shared his reflections…
April 8, 2026 /
Elevating First Nations human rights through industry standards schemes
Over two days, the Mabo Centre convened Traditional Owners, Indigenous business leaders, resources industry representatives, and investors to address some…
January 29, 2026 /
The Mabo Centre welcomes Professor Rodney Carter as Interim Director
The Mabo Centre, an Indigenous-led research centre and partnership between the University of Melbourne and the National Native Title Council…
December 9, 2025 /
First Nations expertise at the forefront of Mabo Centre research projects
The Mabo Centre, an Indigenous-led partnership between the University of Melbourne and the National Native Title Council (NNTC), is preparing…
