Australians will have the chance to vote on changing the constitution to recognise the nation's first people within the next three years.

Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt made the announcement earlier this month.

But he stressed the government won't go ahead with a referendum until it's certain it will succeed.

"It will take time, it will need to be measured," Mr Wyatt told the National Press Club in Canberra.

"We need to design the right model to progress to a point at which the majority of Australians, the majority of states and territories and Indigenous Australians support the model so that it is successful."

Port Macquarie business owner and proud Jawoyn and Wiradjuri woman Kristal Kinsela-Christie said it was encouraging to hear the issue was on the agenda but believed three years was too long.

"I actually believe there was a groundswell of support before the election," Mrs Kinsela-Christie said.

"I do believe we have the support.

"I just don't believe we have the support within the Liberal/National Party."

Ms Kinsela was named as the 2017 NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.

She is currently the Managing Director of Indigenous Professional Services in Port Macquarie.

"I think they should be acting right now," she said.

"There has been so many processes that have happened."

"The Liberal Party might need three years to come on board but I think Australia is there."

Nationals Cowper MP Pat Conaghan said he supports recognising Indigenous Australians in the constitution.

"I think it's about time," he said.

"I think most Australians want the referendum and I certainly can't predict what the result will be, but me personally, I'm certainly in favour of it."