Research released about loneliness last week has prompted Labor MP Andrew Giles to put forward a private member's motion on loneliness.

The report found one-in-four people are lonely, while 55 per cent of the population feel they lack companionship at least sometimes.

Mr Giles said Australia should be following Britain's lead after the UK recently appointed a minister for loneliness to tackle the isolation felt by more than one-in-10 people.

"In Australia this important issue, which affects so many lives, deserves to be taken more seriously," Mr Giles said.

"Labor takes loneliness seriously: as a social policy and public health priority.

"Labor has been working with academics and organisations to develop a better understanding of who is affected by loneliness in Australia, and how it affects them."

The Australian Loneliness Report, by the Australian Psychology Society and Swinburne University, found people with higher loneliness levels reported more physical health symptoms including sleeping difficulties, headaches, stomach complaints, nausea, colds and infections.

Australian Associated Press