Federal Labor is vowing to support a rail link to Sydney's new airport as well as Melbourne's Metro Rail project if the party wins the next election.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will today announce 10 infrastructure projects Labor would back in government.

The short-list features five projects in Queensland, including Brisbane's Cross River Rail and Gold Coast's Light Rail stage two.

"Building these projects is Labor's priority, because building infrastructure creates jobs," Mr Shorten will tell the Queensland Media Club.

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"Australia's infrastructure deficit is an economic challenge that demands national leadership.

"A new Labor government will ensure the Commonwealth funding to get these projects underway and completed as soon as possible is found in the current infrastructure budget."

The ALP would submit the projects to Infrastructure Australia (IA) for assessment under a new process the party would establish.

Labor commits $10 billion to Infrastructure Australia

Mr Shorten will also outline a policy to expand the role of IA, the authority which advises the Federal Government on the country's infrastructure needs, allowing it to take a more active role in infrastructure projects.

10 projects Labor would back Rail line to Sydney's Badgerys Creek airport, connecting the Western and Inner West and South lines

Rail line to Sydney's Badgerys Creek airport, connecting the Western and Inner West and South lines Melbourne's Metro Rail

Melbourne's Metro Rail Brisbane's Cross River Rail project

Brisbane's Cross River Rail project Gold Coast Light Rail stage two

Gold Coast Light Rail stage two Ipswich Motorway

Ipswich Motorway Pacific Highway

Pacific Highway Queensland's Bruce Highway

Queensland's Bruce Highway Tasmania's Midland Highway

Tasmania's Midland Highway Electrification of the Gawler rail line in Adelaide

Electrification of the Gawler rail line in Adelaide Pledge to support public transport in Perth, possibly the State Opposition's Metronet plan

Under the plan, Labor would commit $10 billion to IA, allowing the body to provide guarantees, loans or equity to help start new projects.

The Opposition said the new-look organisation would encourage private sector investment, including from superannuation funds, and would only fund projects expected to deliver a return.

"Long-term national projects should not be at the mercy of short-term political timetables or petty partisanship," Mr Shorten's speech says.

"Labor will improve the way all infrastructure projects are assessed, structured and selected to secure a bankable, stable pipeline of long-term work.

"Labor will empower Infrastructure Australia to structure deals, engage private sector partners and work closely with state governments to take projects on the priority list from the drawing board to construction."

Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer said the Government welcomed Mr Shorten's infrastructure plan, but would wait with anticipation for further detail.

"This latest idea from the Leader of the Opposition adds to a list of ideas that count for more than $50 billion worth of spending," Ms O'Dwyer said.

"So we also look forward to the Leader of the Opposition outlining how it is that he will pay for these ideas."