Labor to look at social policy reform

Federal Labor will conduct a review of social policy reform to lead its agenda when it next holds government.

Labor frontbencher Jenny Macklin will lead a series of roundtable discussions and workshops with experts in the coming months to work out ways to sustain Australia's social system into the future.

She will hold talks with social policy experts, economists, academics, business and union leaders to formulate ways to reform the social support system.

Ms Macklin says the current system is inadequate.

"For a large number of Australians, secure employment, stable family relationships and home ownership are increasingly difficult to obtain," she said in a statement on Friday.

A re-think was necessary on ways to support people into work - especially those with a disability, mothers, indigenous Australians and young and older workers.

Policy should also look at ways to support those who fall on hard times due to sickness, disability or job loss.

The Abbott government is conducting its own review focused on the welfare payments system.