The government will work with First Nations Australians on how best to deliver the referendum to establish a voice to parliament, including how to make it accessible to Indigenous people.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the voice working group in Canberra on Thursday every member of his government was fully committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
"From the people around this room (to) everywhere I go in the country, I've got to say there is enormous goodwill," he said.
"This is an opportunity to lift the whole nation up. We have so much to learn from Indigenous Australians."
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, Special Envoy for Reconciliation Pat Dodson and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus met with a referendum working group on Thursday.
Discussions focused on the timing of the referendum, refining the question to be put to the public and the information needed to help the referendum to pass.
While a date for the referendum has not been set, it is likely to be held in 2023.
Mr Albanese said he recognised there was a risk in holding the referendum.
"Some people have said to me ... 'Are you sure about this? It's a big risk'," he said.
"If we don't have a referendum, then by definition it won't succeed. The risk has to be balanced up with the certainty of failure if you don't try."
But the prime minister says he remains confident the referendum will pass.
"When the Australian people had an opportunity way back in 1967, they seized it," he said of the referendum to remove discrimination from the constitution.
"I'm convinced that Australians, when they have an opportunity to lift the nation up, they'll take it."
The group also discussed the design of the voice, including that the body provides independent advice and is made up of First Nations people based on the wish of local communities.
The voice will not have a program delivery function or a veto power.
"The working group agreed it is best practice to listen to First Nations people on matters that affect their lives," said a communique put out after the meeting.
It also noted "the importance of continuing to work with First Nations peoples, as well as the broader community, in the lead up to referendum".
The government and the attorney-general will also establish a constitutional expert group to advise on the referendum.
Mr Albanese revealed at the Garma Festival earlier this year a draft question: "Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?"
An engagement group including Indigenous representatives from across the country such as land councils, local governments and community-controlled organisations also met on Thursday.
Ms Burney said the meetings were an important step on the road to the referendum.
"The work of the referendum working group and the referendum engagement group will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander views are front and centre in the decision-making leading up to the referendum," she said.
"They will provide us with advice about how to harness the goodwill in the Australian community on this important nation-building process."
