Due to its proximity to the border of the Northern Territory, Amata does not observe daylight saving time unlike the rest of South Australia.

It is located at the western end of the Musgrave Ranges, about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of the border with the Northern Territory.

[3] It lies within one of seven electorates within the APY lands, representing the Amata and Tjurma wider communities, which elect the Executive Board of Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara.

[12] The Amata Anangu School was upgraded between 2003 and 2005 and there was a commitment in 2007 by state and federal governments to improve the associated swimming pool facility.

The nonprofit organization Mai Wiru Regional Stores Council Aboriginal Corporation was founded in 2000, to help establish food security on the APY Lands, with a major aim being to supply healthy food at cheaper prices in order to improve nutrition and community health.

In 2015 Mai Wiru established their own transport system, and supply fresh food from Adelaide rather than Alice Springs, cutting costs by up to 25%.

[17] A permit from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara is required to access Amata, as the land is owned freehold by the corporation of resident Aboriginal people.

[20] Tjala has nourished the careers of many artists who have gone on to be recognised for their work by prestigious art prizes, such as Tjungkara Ken.

The Kulata Tjuta (many spears) project has spread across the APY lands as well as featuring in a large installation in the Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art in Adelaide in 2017.