A referendum to recognise Australia's first people in the constitution might still be several years away but this week their representation in Federal Parliament took a big leap forward, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's announcement of two prominent Indigenous Australians to join Labor's ranks.

The path for aboriginal activist - and the father of reconciliation - Pat Dodson into the Senate representing Western Australia is virtually assured.  He has been nominated by Mr Shorten to fill a casual vacancy created by the resignation of right wing senator, Joe Bullock.  That requires only rubber stamping by the West Australian Parliament, which is expected in coming weeks.

Mr Dodson's first day in the Senate is expected tobe budget day, May 10, and while the talk of a double dissolution might be unsettling for senators, Professor Dodson will no doubt find himself in a winnable spot on the ALP's senate ticket, should a double dissolution occur. Otherwise, he has four years still to run on his term.

"Having spent much of my adult life trying to influence our national conversations, debate, government and the parliament from the outside, it is now time for me to step up to the plate and have a go at trying to influence those same conversations, debates and public policies from the inside," Professor Dodson said.

The path for Labor's other recruit, Linda Burney, depends on the voters of Barton in Sydney's south west, which, thanks to a redistribution has shifted from a marginal Liberal to a marginal Labor seat, with a 5.4 per cent margin, election analyst Anthony Green said.

And there is still the open possibility of journalist Stan Grant running in the next election, possibly as an independent.

Ms Burney, who will make history as the first Indigenous woman in the lower house should she be elected, is already well known and respected as the state member for Canterbury in Sydney's south west.

Ms Burney will join Ken Wyatt, the Liberal Party member for Hasluck in WA, who in 2010 became the first Indigenous man to be elected to the House of Representatives.

While Neville Bonner forged the trail to Canberra by becoming the the first aboriginal MP in Federal Parliament in 1971, there has only been a handful of Indigenous MPs since, mainly in the Senate. They include Aden Ridgeway for the Australian Democrats; Nova Peris, Labor senator for the NT; and Joanna Lindgren for the Queensland Nationals.

The arrival of two, possibly three more highly articulate advocates for Indigenous issues can be expected to give much greater impetus to constitutional reform and efforts to close the gap on aboriginal employment, health and education outcomes.

Ms Burney said becoming the first aboriginal woman in the House of Representatives would be "important for the Aboriginal community but it's also important for the broader Australian community".

However, she stressed: "I will not be defined by my Aboriginality alone. I have strong experience in the environment, in child care, in education."

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