ACTU campaign against Medicare 'sell off'

Australia's peak union body believes a government proposal to outsource the Medicare payments system could lead to its privatisation.

The ACTU has kicked off a major campaign to "protect" Medicare's back office payments system work. (AAP)

The ACTU has kicked-off a major campaign to "protect" Medicare after the federal government floated plans to outsource the agency's back office payments system work.

The peak union body's broadcast and online advertising blitz, along with protests and door-knocking in marginal seats, begins on Tuesday.

"Selling off the Medicare claims and payments system is the thin edge of the wedge, opening the door to privatisation of our public health system across the board," ACTU president Ged Kearney said in a statement.