The NQLC wholly funded by the Federal Government.  Each year NQLC is required to put forward to FaHCSIA a budget. FaHCSIA are may require modification of that budget prior to being approved.  NQLC is required under its contract with FaHCSIA to advance claims and deal with other matter to the extent that the approved budget allows.  In setting the priorities for the budget, a number of factors are taken into account including the priority that the Court has placed on each claim, the need for anthropological and other research and the age of the claim.

Within the budgetary constraints, NQLC through its in-house legal department represents most of the claims and appoints a legal officer for each claim. NQLC arranges for anthropological research to help prove the claim.

NQLC uses its project officers to co-ordinate meetings and to make other logistical arrangements connected with claim and community meetings and to assist the anthropological and other researchers and legal officers.

NQLC facilitates claim group and authorization meetings and provides general advice on all matters related to native title to its claim groups via its in-house legal department.

NQLC through its FAME (link to Fame page) unit assists in the development of mining and related agreements.