Voters can expect a short, sharp campaign ahead of the referendum for the Indigenous Voice.

While attending the annual Garma Festival in remote northeast Arnhem Land, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would not use the occasion to announce the date for the referendum.

He said the festival was an opportunity to discuss the benefits of the voice for Indigenous people.

“Historically in Australia, we don’t have 10-week or 12-week (referendum) campaigns,” he told reporters on Friday.

“There hasn’t been a referendum held this century, which is why I don’t think people want a date announced many months in advance, and then a long day-to-day campaign.”

The referendum to enshrine the voice in the constitution is slated to be held between October and December this year.

The prime minister said he would be speaking with attendees at Garma about their views on a potential referendum date.

He said while the debate surrounding the voice could be viewed as divisive among Indigenous Australians, it was needed to achieve the constitutional change.

“This is something that is for First Nations people but it is more than that. It is something … for all of us to be lifted up.”

Earlier on Friday, $6.4 million in funding from the Aboriginals Benefit Account was announced for the design and development of the Garma Institute by the Yothu Yindi Foundation.

The foundation already offers a Yolngu-centred curriculum for school students through the Dhupuma Barker School at Gunyangara, a 1000km drive east of Darwin.

The independent bilingual school has driven strong attendance rates and improved education outcomes.

The institute will give the students a pathway to continue their higher education.

The prime minister said the school was an example of the improved outcomes that came when Indigenous voices were listened to.

“The Dhupuma Barker School at Gunyangara is truly a local success, the school attendance rates show what works,” he said.

“It arose from listening, it arose from government following decision-making from the bottom up, which is why it is so important.”

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said the Garma Institute would give Yolngu people the opportunity to continue their education without having to move away from family.

Yothu Yindi Foundation chief executive Denise Bowden said it was “groundbreaking and exciting work”.

The benefit account receives money from the Commonwealth based on royalties generated from mining on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.

The four NT land councils receive money for administration from the account, which also provides funding for projects that benefit local Indigenous people.

In November last year, Ms Burney announced changes to the benefit account, setting up an Indigenous-led Commonwealth entity to manage the process, the NT Aboriginal Investment Corporation.

Consultations with the community and stakeholders about the facility’s curriculum would begin at the festival.

– AAP