Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has moved to avoid an election stoush with the nation's churches by vowing to maintain exemptions for religious organisations from anti-discrimination laws.

The exemptions allow religious welfare agencies, hospitals and schools to not hire gays, lesbians and divorcees if they are believed to not comply with the relevant doctrine.

All the nation's major religious bodies - including Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups - have closely guarded their ability to run their affairs according to their faith. The Catholic Church is one of the biggest employers in the country.