Labor is offering business leaders exclusive access to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten before the federal budget, but it comes at a high price – $3300 for a boardroom lunch.

Fairfax Media revealed on Monday that Liberal campaign fund-raising body, the North Sydney Forum, offered "VIP" meetings with federal Treasurer Joe Hockey to groups including business people and industry lobbyists in return for annual fees of up to $22,000.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten: "The Parliament of Australia should constantly be seeking to improve the election funding rules in this country." Credit:Simon O'Dwyer

An email from the director of the Federal Labor Business Forum, Kate Dykes, urges would-be attendees to "avoid disappointment" as tickets to the event are strictly limited.

The high-priced fund-raiser is due to be held on Thursday at an undisclosed location in the Sydney CBD and is billed as a boardroom lunch with the Opposition Leader.