The Australian Council of Trade Unions is flexing its considerable campaign muscle ahead of the May 18 federal election.

Launched on Friday, the ads show people's responses to being asked about their work and financial situation at a casting call.

Some of the people are "primarily" actors, while others are not, but all have another job, according to the ACTU.

One woman, Tiffany, says the gap between earnings and cost of living "just gets wider and wider and wider".

Cliff, who is wearing hi-vis work gear, talks about increasing levels of casual employment and labour hire companies.

"It's all just a numbers game. You just get churned in and out. I don't trust any company to stand by me or back me up," he says in the 30-second clip.

"If times get tough I'd probably be the first one to get the flick."

Many describe having to work multiple jobs or struggling to make ends meet even with full-time employment.

The advertisements end with a voiceover saying: "This is not Australia. Change the government. Change the rules."

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the ads showed the truth of working life for far too many Australians.

"This is a truth Scott Morrison does not appear to care about," she said on Friday.

"Under his government, people don't have jobs they can count on to live and plan good lives. This is not the kind of country we want to be, nor is it the Australia of the fair go".

She said the campaign illustrated a choice about the nation's future.

"We can continue down the low-pay, insecure American path, or we can change the government and change the rules to win a fair go for working people."

Unions have been targeting marginal seats during the election campaign, with the ACTU working hard to get a Labor government in power.

"We have an opportunity this election to change the government, change the rules and win fair pay, more secure jobs and better lives," Ms McManus said.

Australian Associated Press