The federal government has boosted funding to the Indigenous arts sector, including money to roll out QR codes that allow customers to check the authenticity and cultural significance of artwork and products.

Up to 80 remote and regional Indigenous arts centres will be helped to connect to the National Broadband Network (NBN) and be provided with equipment and training from March next year, in a bid to get communities access to potentially lucrative online markets.

The Commonwealth is also considering a certification system to ensure knock-off products and art claiming to be produced by First Nations artists can be readily identified as fake.

Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the increase in funding would result in more than $27 million going towards the Indigenous arts sector each year for the next five years.

"[It] will help safeguard the cultural knowledge which underpins the work of Australia's world-renowned Indigenous visual artists, while investing in sustainable economic opportunities for a modern digital environment," he said.

"We're funding the national rollout of digital labelling, investing in ethical production of authentic art and working with Indigenous communities to explore certification trademarks and new standalone legislation."

It is not the first time the Coalition has pledged efforts to target fake Aboriginal art, with Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt promising legislation to "stamp out" imitation products last year. 

In 2018, a parliamentary inquiry found Indigenous artists and communities were feeling cheated by mass-produced souvenirs pouring into the country from overseas sweatshops, imitating their designs and "stealing" their culture.

The federal government has also promised to include resale provisions in future free trade deals, such as the pact currently under negotiation with the UK, to ensure Indigenous artists get access to royalties when their work is sold overseas.

Digital labels using QR codes proving authenticity and sharing culture

Alice Springs-based Indigenous arts organisation Desart started a trial of using "digital labels" in 2018.

Five Indigenous art centres provided Desart with information about the artists, artwork and art centre that could be accessed once someone scanned the QR code on the product or artwork label.

"One of the critical elements of the QR code is that it does give access to information about the product — whether it's a one-off painting, or it's in a series of merchandise, souvenir product, bespoke product that some art centres are making," Desart chief executive Philip Watkins said.

"When we talk about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, it is embedded within culture, and it is an expression of cultural practice.

"It just increases a greater understanding and respect for culture and gives certainty to the buyer that they are accessing an authentic product."

Mr Watkins said he was thrilled the trial was being expanded, with the plan to include another 20 centres in the system from 2023.