Voice won't usurp closing gap: Burney

Ms Burney said closing gaps in key health and education areas between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians remained a top priority for the government.

As debate continues on a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament in the constitution, she said both were just as important.

"It is wrong to suggest that that agenda (of the voice) will be usurping the agenda of closing the gap. They are part and parcel of the same thing," she told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.

"Unless First Nations people are living lives of choice and chance, just like other Australians, then we cannot ever hold our heads high in the space of Indigenous affairs."

It comes as work started on a program to train hundreds of First Nations healthcare workers to fill critical workforce shortages in Indigenous services.

Up to 500 Indigenous trainees will become accredited in delivering culturally appropriate health services to communities.

They will work in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, which provide maternal, childhood, mental, aged care and sexual health care. 

It's expected the cost of the program would be $52.9 million over the next five years.

Indigenous health assistant minister Malarndirri McCarthy called the program a "game-changer" and said all First Nations people deserved to live long and happy lives.

"The Aboriginal community health sector across this country does incredible work," Senator McCarthy said.

"We can do both. We can ensure that we lift the standard of living for First Nations people in this country, and we can see a referendum come forward for a voice to be enshrined in the constitution."