Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (1983), NSWALC is empowered to do the following:

• Administer the NSWALC Account and Mining Royalties Account.
• Grant funds for payment of the administrative costs and expenses of Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
• Acquire land on its own behalf or on behalf of, or to be vested in, Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
• Determine and approve/reject the terms and conditions of agreements proposed by Local Aboriginal Land Councils to allow mining or mineral exploration on Aboriginal land.
• Make claims on Crown lands, either on its own behalf or at the request of Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
• With the agreement of the particular LALC, manage any of the affairs of that Council.
• Conciliate disputes between Aboriginal Land Councils or between Councils and individuals or between individual members of those Councils.
• Make grants, lend money or invest money on behalf of Aboriginal people.
• Hold, dispose of or otherwise deal with land vested in or acquired by NSWALC.
• Ensure Local Aboriginal Land Councils comply with the Act in respect of the establishment and keeping of accounts and the preparation and submission of budgets and financial reports.
• Advise the Minister on matters relating to Aboriginal land rights.
• Exercise such other functions as conferred or imposed on it by or under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (1983) or any other Act.