Fake indigenous art is rife, inquiry finds

A parliamentary inquiry looking into indigenous art has found that 80 per cent of souvenirs are fake and have "no connection to First Nations peoples".

A staggering 80 per cent of all indigenous art and craft items sold in Australia have shown to be fake.

The parliamentary inquiry looking into the art market found the "inauthentic items have no connection to First Nations peoples and are often cheaply made imports".

The indigenous affairs committee has recommended the indigenous art code receives more funding to crack down on dodgy practices and that First Nations art centres be better resourced.

"These imitation products have a profound and harmful effect on First Nations peoples and do not teach or inform the buyer about indigenous heritage," committee chair and Liberal MP Ann Sudmalis said on Thursday.

"It is an ethical and moral demand that we assist this guardianship into the future."