New South Wales Premier Bob Carr has apologised for taking so long to work out how to repay Aboriginal workers who had their wages stolen or lost.

A panel has now been set up to determine claimants' cases and the Government is finally moving to repay those Aboriginal people who had their wages stolen or lost through the Aboriginal Trust Fund scheme between 1900 and 1969.

In some cases it is believed the money was stolen by public servants.

Mr Carr says people will be repaid the money they are owed if they can provide documentary or other evidence to prove it, payments will not be capped and people will retain the right to pursue their claims through the courts.