Australia needs to extend its ties with the United States beyond the traditional realms of defence, security, trade and finance if it's to survive the "age of disruption", Labor says.

Speaking in Melbourne on Wednesday, foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said semi-regular meetings between the two nations' leaders and ministers were necessary but "not sufficient".

She wants the relationship to delve deeper into public policy matters such as climate change, urban design, education, agriculture, employment, retirement, aged care and gender - issues that similarly affect both societies.

"Our nations need an enhanced 'track 2' relationship with the US policy community," she said.

"This would be a priority of a Shorten Labor government."

She said the US had contributed to the disruption that now characterises the global political environment, noting that it still was not clear what kind of country America is becoming a year on from Donald Trump's election.

Senator Wong noted that the US had "a lot on its plate" at the moment, dealing with internal economic, political and social stresses, as well as allegations of foreign interference.

"This is as subversive as it is infectious. Australia, along with our fellow democracies, needs to work with the US to bolster and strengthen democracies everywhere," she said.

Senator Wong outlined Labor's five policy approaches to Australia's relationship with the US ahead of the release of the Turnbull government's foreign policy blueprint:

* clarify US and Australian national interests and work to bring them together;

* approach the new 'disrupted world' with confidence and optimism;

* work with the US as it is now and not what it used to be;

* work with the US to strengthen the stability and prosperity of the region;

* apply operating principles of the ANZUS Treaty - consultation and action - across the relationship, not restrict them to defence.