Australia has invited contractors to upgrade the Woolgoolga to Ballina section of the Pacific Highway.

The contractor will be responsible for delivering 155km final section of the Pacific Highway upgrade between Woolgoolga and Ballina.

Deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss said the announcement is the next step in making sure the Pacific Highway is fully duplicated by the end of the decade.

"The construction of this section of highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina is expected to provide roughly 2,500 direct jobs and 6,500 indirect jobs in the broader community."

"The construction of this section of highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina is expected to provide roughly 2,500 direct jobs and 6,500 indirect jobs in the broader community," Truss said.

The Australian Government has already selected the contractors to design and build the 105km of highway upgrade between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.

Tenders have also been floated to construct the 26km section of the highway stretching from Woolgoolga and Glenugie.

The government will hold a briefing for pre-registered companies in the coming weeks for the companies who wish to submit their expression of interest.

Interested companies will be then be invited to submit a proposal who will be working as delivery partner to complete the project by 2020.

Shortlisted companies will then be selected through a competitive bidding while the formal agreement with the preferred bidder will be signed by 2015.

Minister for roads and freight Duncan Gay said the Australian and New South Wales Governments had provided funding to complete early work and planning.

"The successful applicant will partner with RMS to deliver the final 155km of the Pacific Highway upgrade between Woolgoolga and Ballina, Australia’s largest regional road infrastructure project," Gay said.

"While the delivery partner is procured, roads and maritime will continue with key early work such as implementing approval conditions for the project, continuing with land acquisition, starting soft soil treatments and moving public utilities."