The referendum on establishing an Indigenous Voice to parliament could be held as early as August, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said over the weekend.

The Minister said additional legislation to enable to vote would be introduced to parliament in March and examined by a parliamentary committee for six weeks, with the aim of passing the bill in May.

The successful passage of the bill through both houses of parliament on that timeline would allow for a nationwide referendum on establishing an Indigenous Voice to parliament in the Constitution as early as August.

Last month the Ms Burney tabled the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives.

The Minister told Sydney Morning Herald that the official Yes campaign is likely to launch late February.

"I'm optimistic … There is already enormous support across the faith sector, across the corporate sector, across the union sector, and in many parts of the electorates. And that support has just been overwhelming," she said.

The Minister said the Yes campaign would use an "alliance model", uniting groups and people including the Uluru Dialogue and From the Heart organisations, as well as the Uphold and Recognise organisation.

Ms Burney told SMH she was "hopeful" that Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who has previously said the Liberal Party would finalise it position in 2023, would support the Yes campaign.

In November the Liberal Party's coalition partner, the Nationals, announced they would oppose the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

Senior New South Wales Nationals MP Andrew Gee resigned from the party in response and now sits as an independent in NSW parliament.

Ms Burney said she "would have liked to have seen bipartisan support across the parliament because I think it's worthy of that".

"I truly believe that this idea's time has come in this country. And I think we as a country are ready for it. And if some political parties aren't, then that's their business," she said.