Millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded advertising campaigns could still go ahead despite the government going into caretaker mode.
The Turnbull government is consulting with Labor - under the caretaker conventions - on which advertisements should continue during the election campaign or be deferred until after the July 2 election.
Under the conventions, the departments of finance and prime minister and cabinet must review all advertising campaigns once the parliament is dissolved ahead of an election.
The departments then recommend to the government whether those campaigns should continue or be deferred.
Campaigns that highlight the role of particular ministers or "address issues that are a matter of contention between the parties" are normally discontinued, the guidelines say.
This avoids the use of commonwealth resources in a manner that could advantage a particular party.
"Campaigns that are of an operational nature, such as defence force recruiting campaigns or public health campaigns, usually continue," the guidelines say.
AAP understands consultation with the opposition has begun.
Labor has been critical of a $28 million ad campaign for the government's innovation strategy and a promotional campaign highlighting spending on infrastructure.
The government spent just over $107 million on advertising in 2014/15.
Greens spokeswoman Lee Rhiannon said the rules should be changed to ban government advertising during election campaigns, unless it was required to address an emergency such as a natural disaster.
She said advertising campaigns promoting innovation and infrastructure did not constitute an emergency.
"It's important in terms of public spending, as well as creating a level playing field coming into an election," Senator Rhiannon told AAP on Friday.
It is understood Labor has asked the government not to proceed with any campaigns that involve promotion of policies which had yet to be legislated.
