The Federal Government has appointed men's health ambassadors to help develop Australia's first men's health policy.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard's partner, Tim Matheson, is one of the men taking on the role.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon says Australian men face serious health problems but many are reluctant to talk about them.

She says the health ambassadors will play an important role in bringing some of the problems out in the open.

"This isn't an appointment of a group of men who are health experts, with some notable exceptions, this is a group of men who are prepared and interested in leading their community, talking and engaging with men and making sure they are encouraging people to take care of their own health," he said.

Mr Matheson says his old profession gives him a good background for the role.

"That space in a hairdressing salon for women and for men, they open up way better than if they're in a psychologist's or a psychiatrist's or in a doctor's or a GP's," he said.

"It's good, but we talk about the wrong things too often and we should be talking more about our health, and I think that's starting."