The outgoing education minister says the most important thing for Labor is to work in unity and "draw a line under the discord of the past".
"We will not seek to publicly disparage each other in our efforts," Mr Shorten told reporters of an agreement he has reached with his opponent ahead of the contest.
Both men on Friday made a pitch for the leader's position, addressing Labor caucus, which in combination with a ballot of rank and file party members, will be responsible for deciding a victor.
Mr Shorten said he has energy and enthusiasm with a history as a "builder and a campaigner", shown during his two terms in parliament and six years as national secretary of the AWU.
But if unsuccessful Mr Shorten said he will happily work with Mr Albanese in whatever role he is given.
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"I think Anthony Albanese is a very good (leadership) candidate," Mr Shorten said.
"I believe this ballot should be conducted with a civilness which perhaps hasn't marked all of the Labor party's exchanges.
"Because we have a chance, if we get this right, to demonstrate to Australians that we have already learnt one of the lessons from the last election."
Nominations for the Labor leadership remain open for seven days as candidates enter a 30-day campaign before the member ballot, followed by the caucus vote.
