Treasurer Joe Hockey has described his first federal budget as a “contribute and build budget” that will create tens of thousands of jobs through major road building projects.

Mr Hockey says a key component of Tuesday’s budget will be a road funding plan of more than $80 billion over the next six years, of which the commonwealth will contribute in excess of $40 billion.

That figure will be matched by the states and the private sector.

Mr Hockey says if the government raises the fuel excise, which has been frozen since 2001, it will go into roads.

“We are laying a plan for the biggest increase in road expenditure in Australian history,” he told the Nine Network on Sunday.

“That is tens of thousands of new jobs, but most importantly, it is going to address the significant drop-off in investment in construction in Australia associated with mining investment coming off.”

It would be a “contribute and build” budget.

“It is a budget that asks the Australian people to contribute to a stronger Australian economy, a more prosperous Australia with more jobs and a greater sense of security,” Mr Hockey said.