Unions and business groups will be making their voices heard during the federal election campaign.
Construction union boss Dave Noonan says his members will be "actively engaged" in the campaign, following Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's decision to make workplace relations a focus of the election.
He said two key issues would be the increasing casualisation of the workforce and the threat of shifting to a US-style industrial relations system, both of which could lead to a "working poor" in Australia.
"There's no doubt the Australian trade union movement will be very actively engaged and put forward a range of views in the election," Mr Noonan told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
Mr Noonan said the union's activities would range from social media to doorknocking.
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Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said his group would not be running advertising campaigns, but would be engaged in social media and advocating for changes to workplace laws.
"This will be a very fiercely contested campaign," he said.
"Industrial relations was always going to be front and centre of this election campaign.
"Our point will be to put forward sensible policies for sensible outcomes and find a balance here."
