Construction workers stand to benefit from the federal government's move to bring the guidelines for the code covering taxpayer-funded construction projects into line with the new Fair Work Act, says unions.

The new Implementation Guidelines will restore the national construction code to its original purpose of encouraging ethical tendering practices, says ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence.

"Under the Howard government, procurement in construction became another arm of WorkChoices. The revised code brings it into alignment with the new IR laws," he says.

The new guidelines come at a time when state and federal governments plan to spend billions of dollars over the next few years on major infrastructure projects across the country.

Lawrence also believes that the guidelines seek to encourage more employment of young people, therefore boosting apprenticeship numbers.

"We need a workforce that is trained and ready to begin work when these projects start. It is a good use of taxpayers' money to build the skills of the next generation of Australian workers. It will be important to see this section of the guidelines properly enforced when the government selects it tenders," says Lawrence.