Former prime minister Tony Abbott will hire up to 20 unpaid interns to work on his re-election campaign in Warringah in a clear sign of the enormous electoral pressure facing the 25-year political veteran.

An advertisement posted on Mr Abbott's Battlelines website announces a snap four-day search for "dedicated and energetic people" to assist on the campaign over the next eight weeks.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott with campaign volunteers in Manly in February. Credit:Jessica Hromas

Dubbed the Battlelines Bootcamp, the internship promises to combine "best-practice campaign techniques with on the ground practical training".

Mr Abbott revealed in January he would direct a Liberal Party social media campaign called Battlelines, which was also the title of his 2009 book.