# Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

> Australian research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q781523](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q781523)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Institute_of_Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Studies)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/australian-institute-of-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-studies

## Summary
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is Australia's national research institute focused on information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages. Established in 1964, it serves as both a research institution and archives, operated by the Australian Government.

## Key Facts
- Inception date: 1964 (alternative date: 1990-03-05)
- Located in Acton, Australia with coordinates -35.2926, 149.1185
- Owned by the Australian Government
- Field of work: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies
- Subsidiaries: Aboriginal Studies Press
- Owns AUSTLANG
- Australian Business Number: 62020533641
- Website: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/
- Member of International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (since 2023-08-03)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main purpose of AIATSIS?
A: AIATSIS serves as Australia's national institution for information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages. It conducts research and preserves cultural knowledge while serving as a comprehensive archives for First Nations materials.

### Q: When was AIATSIS established?
A: The institute was established in 1964, with some sources indicating a formal establishment date of March 5, 1990. It was previously known as the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies before adopting its current name.

### Q: Where is AIATSIS located?
A: AIATSIS is located in Acton, Australia, with coordinates at -35.2926 latitude and 149.1185 longitude. The organization operates from buildings in this location, with images available on Wikimedia Commons.

### Q: What resources does AIATSIS provide?
A: AIATSIS operates AUSTLANG, a database of Australian Indigenous languages, and publishes materials through its subsidiary Aboriginal Studies Press. The organization also maintains extensive archives and provides access to information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

### Q: Who governs AIATSIS?
A: AIATSIS is owned and operated by the Australian Government, as evidenced by its Australian Business Number (62020533641) and its listing in the Australian Government Organisations Register with ID 103001.

## Why It Matters
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting Australia's First Nations cultural heritage. As the national institution for information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages, it addresses the critical need to document, preserve, and make accessible this invaluable cultural knowledge. In a context where many Indigenous languages and cultural practices are at risk of being lost, AIATSIS's work helps to maintain continuity and supports Indigenous communities in cultural revitalization efforts. The institute's comprehensive databases and resources also serve as essential tools for researchers, educators, policymakers, and the general public seeking accurate information about Australia's First Peoples.

## Notable For
- Comprehensive documentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and cultures
- Ownership and operation of AUSTLANG, a major database of Australian Indigenous languages
- Being Australia's national institution specializing in First Nations information
- Serving as both a research institute and archives, combining scholarly research with cultural preservation
- Membership in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, demonstrating its significance in the global library and information community

## Body
### Location and Facilities
- Located in Acton, Australia
- Coordinates: Latitude -35.2926, Longitude 149.1185
- Has buildings with available images on Wikimedia Commons

### Ownership and Administration
- Owned by the Australian Government (parent_org)
- Australian Business Number: 62020533641
- National Archives of Australia entity ID: CA 7289
- Australian Government Organisations Register ID: 103001

### History and Establishment
- Inception date: 1964 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
- Alternative inception date: 1990-03-05 (source: CA 7289)
- Previous name: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (aliases)
- Named after Forman S. Acton, American computer scientist (1920-2014)

### Function and Operations
- Instance of: research institute, Government body of Australia, archives
- Field of work: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies
- Member of International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (since 2023-08-03)

### Associated Organizations and Resources
- Owns AUSTLANG
- Subsidiaries: Aboriginal Studies Press
- Website: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/

### Identification and Classification
- ISNI: 0000000101052935
- ROR ID: 011rpdz66
- GRID ID: grid.454071.3
- VIAF ID: 156221839
- Freebase ID: /m/06vckk
- Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued): 1302338503
- Encyclopedia of Australian Science ID: A001869b, A001868b
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007605674505171
- Yale LUX ID: group/179b33c5-6796-4e16-9be8-abef82dab0bb
- Museum Digital ID: 137924
- NLA Trove People ID: 570190
- Ringgold ID: 95587
- Open Funder Registry Funder ID: 501100000994
- Library of Congress Authority ID: no91030584

### Digital Presence
- Twitter handle: AIATSIS
- Instagram handle: aiatsis
- Quora topic: AIATSIS

### Recognition and Coverage
- Wikipedia title: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- Wikipedia languages: commons, de, en, mg, pt, sv, tr, zh
- Commons category: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- Sitelink count: 8

## References

1. [Source](https://aiatsis.gov.au/collection)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20230803111744/https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/ifla-members-and-association-affiliates_2023-07-21.pdf)
4. ROR release v1.19
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. GRID Release 2015-12-14
7. GRID Release 2016-12-06
8. Quora
9. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
10. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
11. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File