Conservative Liberals who backed Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's anti-emissions trading position have been rewarded in a frontbench reshuffle unveiled today.

Mr Abbott has installed climate change sceptic Nick Minchin in the energy and resources portfolio, while fellow hardliner Eric Abetz will take on workplace relations.

Both men were key supporters of Mr Abbott's decision to challenge former leader Malcolm Turnbull over climate change.

And Mr Abbott has brought back former Howard government ministers Kevin Andrews, Bronwyn Bishop and Philip Ruddock.

Announcing the changes Mr Abbott acknowledged that Mr Andrews, Ms Bishop and Mr Ruddock had been "controversial" and "polarising" as ministers but said they were "substantial" politicians.

As expected, Nationals Senate Leader Barnaby Joyce will move to the frontbench to go head-to-head with Lindsay Tanner in the finance portfolio.

Mr Abbott acknowledged Senator Joyce was a "colourful character" but praised his talent.

"Barnaby is probably Australia's most accomplished retail politician," he said.

Ms Bishop will be spokeswoman for seniors, Mr Andrews spokesman for families and Mr Ruddock secretary to the shadow cabinet.

Tony Smith has been promoted to communications and Sophie Mirabella to science and innovation.

Also promoted to secretary positions are Cory Bernardi, Simon Birmingham, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Gary Humphries, while Marise Payne will be spokeswoman for COAG.

Greg Hunt will stay in environment but will also take up the climate change portfolio which has been renamed to "climate action".

Ian Macfarlane - who brokered the defunct ETS deal with the Government - has been moved to infrastructure and water.

Mr Abbott said his new line-up was a campaigning team who would give the Government the "fright of its life".

"Today I am announcing a new team that will be focused on criticising the Government rather than speculating about ourselves," he said.

"I think the Government is vulnerable. I'm confident that this new team is well placed to exploit the Government's vulnerabilities."

"It's a good team, it's a tough team, it's an energetic team and it's a team that is determined to take the fight to the Government."

Although many of Mr Abbott's supporters have been elevated, Mr Abbott said the team was still balanced.

"Many of Malcolm's key supporters have been promoted," he said.

"Inevitably if you're going to have a new team there does have to be some change.'

Mr Abbott conceded that some changes will not please all MPs, with Sharman Stone demoted from immigration, which has been handed to Scott Morrison.

Ms Stone will now take on childcare.

Michael Keenan has been moved to Customs, with his portfolio going to Senator Abetz, and Steve Ciobo has been moved to arts, with Bruce Billson taking on small business.

Julie Bishop, Joe Hockey, Christopher Pyne, Peter Dutton and George Brandis remain in their respective portfolios of foreign affairs, treasury, education, health and shadow attorney-general.

David Johnston will also stay in defence.

Helen Coonan is not taking on a new position after stepping down on Sunday from the finance portfolio and Andrew Robb - who was serving in emissions trading - remains on leave but has been given the position of chairman of Coalition policy development.

The reshuffle was needed after Mr Abbott last week ousted Mr Turnbull as Liberal leader following a revolt from the hard-right against his support for an emissions trading scheme.

Mr Turnbull ruled out serving on the frontbench under Mr Abbott last week after he lost the leadership.