in october 1976, a report by the department of aboriginal affairs estimated that there were more than 100 outstation communities. most of them were located in the northern territory. in arnhem land, there were about 55 outstations by the end of 1976, with an average size of about 30 people. about 30 more were located in the southwest of the northern territory, ranging in size from 15 to 100 people. the northern territory had early success in the outstation movemnet, because the aboriginal land rights act was passed in the territory in 1976. this was the first aboriginal land rights law in the country.