Labor leader Bill Shorten visited Huang Xiangmo at his Sydney mansion to secure political donations several months after Labor officials were warned the controversial business figure was of interest to ASIO over links to the Chinese government.

Fairfax Media can reveal Mr Shorten - along with his family - travelled to the tycoon's home in Mosman in March 2016, seeking help to fund Labor campaign ads for the widely expected double dissolution election in July.

The visit was well after a 2015 briefing during which representatives of the three major parties - including the then ALP national secretary George Wright - were warned by ASIO of Chinese interference in Australian politics via massive cash donations.

During the briefings, ASIO director-general Duncan Lewis told party officials the agency was concerned about Mr Huang's opaque ties to the Chinese Communist Party.