Tas to scrap Aboriginal eligibility rules

Tasmania will move to align the state's rules on Aboriginal eligibility with the commonwealth, to allow more Australians to identify as indigenous.

Premier Will Hodgman, who also wears the hat of Aboriginal affairs minister, wants to scrap Tasmania's Aboriginal eligibility policy, which he believes has entrenched inequality and division.

Introduced in 2006, the policy means Tasmanians can be recognised as Aboriginal federally but not in their home state.

Mr Hodgman used his Australia Day address at the University of Tasmania on Thursday afternoon to reveal the proposal.

"For many, this change is long overdue recognition from the place they call home," Mr Hodgman said.

"They will finally be given a choice to access support and cultural traditions that had been behind a closed door."

The premier wants to either replace the policy with one aligning closely with federal eligibility requirements, or just scrap it altogether and allow the commonwealth test to apply.

The government also wants to introduce Tasmanian Aboriginal history and culture into schools and amend its Constitution Act to recognise indigenous people.

It also wants to pursue joint land management opportunities, particularly in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.