Glossary of First Nations terms

Aboriginal person and Torres Strait Islander person

  • These terms refer to specific groups of Indigenous Australians and are not interchangeable. It's important to use these terms correctly when referring to someone.

Find out more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal

  • A person who:
    • is a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia
    • identifies as an Aboriginal person
    • is accepted by the Aboriginal community in which they live.

Community

  • For First Nations peoples, community:
    • includes country, family ties and shared experience
    • is about connectedness and belonging
    • is central to the identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. First Nations peoples may belong to more than one community.

Elders

  • Custodians of cultural knowledge. Elders are chosen and accepted by their communities and are highly respected.

First Nations and Indigenous

  • Both terms are used to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. While there is some overlap in their meanings, they are not entirely interchangeable, and their usage can depend on various factors such as regional context and cultural preferences.

First Nations peoples

  • Commonly used to recognise the diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who have inhabited the continent for thousands of years. It acknowledges the unique cultural and historical identities of these various nations and tribes.

Indigenous people

  • Original inhabitants of a particular geographic region, regardless of the country. In the Australian context, it is often used as a global term to acknowledge the shared experiences of native populations worldwide, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

When discussing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, be sensitive to the specific preferences and cultural protocols of each community.

Some groups may have specific tribal or language group names that they prefer to be called by, while others may be comfortable with terms like 'First Nations' or 'Indigenous' as inclusive identifiers.

Respecting and using appropriate terminology helps foster cultural understanding, respect, and recognition of the rights and identities of Australia's native peoples.

Acronyms such as ATSI, TI, TSI or other abbreviations such as 'Abos' should never be used as they are offensive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Men's and women's business

  • Refers to the separation of roles and responsibilities by gender and is determined by the cultural lore (traditional knowledge or beliefs) and practices of the community. The roles performed may change across nations and regions.

Read more about men's and women's business.

Murri

  • The name Aboriginal people living in Queensland use to describe their ‘home state’.

The following terms are used by Aboriginal people to describe their home state and can vary, based on where the individual has grown up, or their community practices.

Name State or territory

Koori/Goori

New South Wales / Victoria

Murri Queensland
Nungah South Australia
Yolngu Northern Territory (Arnhem land)
Palawa Tasmania
Noongar Western Australia (south-west)

Protocols

  • Ways of behaving, communicating, and showing respect for First Nations cultures, including acknowledging the knowledge, standing and status of people within the local First Nations community.
  • Will vary between communities and between people within communities.

Read about First Nations protocols.

Shame

  • Deep feelings of being ashamed or embarrassed.
  • For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, sharing private or personal information, cultural beliefs and breaches of confidentiality may result in shame.

Torres Strait Islander

  • A person who is a descendant of an Indigenous inhabitant of the Torres Strait Islands located between the northernmost tip of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
  • Torres Strait Islander culture, customs and practices differ from mainland Aboriginal peoples.

Find more information on Torres Strait Islanders, including cultural protocols and Nation Groups within the Torres Strait, to assist you when engaging with the communities of the Torres Strait region.

  • Last reviewed: 16 Feb 2024
  • Last updated: 21 Mar 2024