What Treaty delivers

Gellung Warl

The Statewide Treaty Act 2025 (Act) establishes Gellung Warl (pronounced Gullung-Warl, from Gunaikurnai language), which commenced on 1 May 2026.

Under the Act, Gellung Warl is the representative body for First Peoples in Victoria and comprises three part.

A Wadi Wadi word, pronounced Ng-in-ma Ng-eye-nga Wa-ra
Nginma Ngainga Wara will ensure accountability for the State’s commitments to First Peoples. Nginma Ngainga Wara will implement the commitment under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to establish an independent accountability mechanism and improve outcomes. It will evaluate and monitor how effective the Victorian Government is in achieving better outcomes for First Peoples. It will be led by members appointed by the First Peoples’ Assembly.
Nginma Ngainga Wara acquits Victoria’s commitment under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to create an independent accountability mechanism to provide concrete solutions and recommendations to improve outcomes for First Peoples. Victoria is the first jurisdiction in Australia to acquit this commitment under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
A Wamba Wemba word, pronounced Nyern-ah Yoo-rrook Terl-kun-ah
Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna will establish truth-telling in local communities about our history, supporting ongoing education, healing and reconciliation. It will continue the truth-telling and healing journey started by the Yoorrook Justice Commission. It will be led by three members, appointed by the Assembly, who are broadly reflective of the diversity of the experiences and views of First Peoples and other Victorians.

Functions and powers

Under the Act, the Assembly within Gellung Warl may make rules, guidelines and standards on specified matters that directly affect First Peoples.

These include:

internal rules relating to structure, governance, operations, community answerability and engagement

rules regarding the ‘acceptance by community’ aspect of Confirmation of Aboriginality

appointment of existing First Peoples’ representatives to the Heritage Council and Aboriginal Heritage Council

guidelines for the trading and sharing of existing First Peoples’ water entitlements with other First Peoples

guidelines relating to First Peoples’ cultural safety, including guidelines that may be voluntarily adopted by non-First Peoples organisations, agencies or sectors.

Reforms provided for under Treaty

The Act provides for a range of reforms, including:

use of the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s Official Public Record as a curriculum resource to support truth-telling in schools

participation in place-naming of specified geographic features, limited to waterways, waterfalls, and national and state parks on Crown land, including opportunities for use of traditional or language place names

establishment of a First Peoples’ Infrastructure Fund to provide grants for Aboriginal community infrastructure and infrastructure development

delivery of Aboriginal events and awards, including the Ricci Marks Awards, Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service and the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll.

Status and oversight

Gellung Warl is an ongoing representative and deliberative body for First Peoples in Victoria.

It operates independently of government and is subject to Parliamentary sovereignty. Its operations do not affect the Parliament’s ability to make laws or the Victorian Government’s ability to govern.

Gellung Warl does not have power to veto policy or legislation.

Gellung Warl is subject to oversight arrangements that apply to independent agencies, including oversight by the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO), the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the Victorian Ombudsman.

Read Victoria's Statewide Treaty

Victoria's Statewide Treaty

A Treaty has been signed with First Peoples. The Treaty commenced on 12 December 2025, at a ceremonial exchange between the government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

Updated 26 October 2026