Labor can win an election in 2013 if it delivers its plans for reshaping the economy, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.
But it will take a lot of hard work.
"We do have a lot of hard work to do and if we do that hard work I believe we can win the election when it's held in 2013," the prime minister told reporters in Canberra.
The first Nielsen poll of 2012 showed support for Ms Gillard and the government improving over parliament's summer recess.
Ms Gillard hurdled Tony Abbott to be preferred prime minister 48-46 per cent, however Kevin Rudd remains the voters' choice as Labor leader.
Labor's primary vote rose four points to 33 per cent while the coalition lost four points to 45 per cent.
After preferences, the coalition leads Labor 53-47 per cent continuing the trend of earlier polls.
