Approval ratings sink for both Bill Shorten and Tony Abbott

Federal Labor has fared well in two new polls, but it's a different story for Bill Shorten, whose approval rating according to one survey is at its lowest point since he became the party's leader.

Labor remains six percentage points ahead of the coalition in the latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll, leading 53 percent to 47 percent on a two-party preferred basis.

Mr Shorten's net approval rating of minus 20 percent marks a fall of 14 percentage points since June, although he still leads Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister, 43 percent to 39 percent.

A Newspoll published by The Australian showed that Mr Abbott has lost his two-month lead as preferred prime minister, and now sits on a shared 39 percent with Mr Shorten.

Results from the second poll showed that Labor has improved its two-party preferred lead over the coalition from 51 to 49 percent last month, to 52 to 48 percent at the weekend.