The Australian government is partnering with the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research to conduct formal consultation on the National Justice Reinvestment Program and establishing a National Justice Reinvestment Unit.

The government committed $81.5 million to justice reinvestment in its first Budget, the largest federal justice reinvestment funding package in history, including $69 million to establish a national justice reinvestment grants program for up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives and $12.5 million to establish an independent national justice reinvestment unit.

On Wednesday Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said in a joint statement that the funding investments reflected the government's commitment to national action on First Nations justice as a priority under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, as well as their commitment to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over-represented at every point in the justice system. Turning the tide on the unacceptably high rate of incarceration and deaths in custody is a key priority for the Albanese Government," the ministers said.

"Justice reinvestment works with First Nations communities to identify the best ways to prevent and reduce contact with the criminal justice system, informed by local stories, evidence and data.

"In recognition of the role that States and Territories have in justice outcomes, the Government will be seeking co-funding and data sharing arrangements as part of the national justice reinvestment program."

Minister Burney and the Attorney General said consultations present an opportunity for First Nations communities and organisations, justice experts, and non-government representatives to have a say on how the program and unit should be developed - ahead of a national grants program in July this year.

Information on how to make a submission is available here.