Federal government programs to be rolled into PM's portfolio

Dozens of federal government programs targeting Indigenous Australians are set to be consolidated into the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The programs, which are currently spread out across seven different departments, will be rolled into the prime minister's portfolio, bringing with them more than $2 billion in Indigenous specific funding and 1700 staff.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion says the changes will put Indigenous affairs at the front of government policy and reduce time-consuming coordination and red-tape.

Native title policy, arts programmes and Aboriginal Legal Services will stay with the Attorney-General's Department.