Queensland pensioners who live in public housing will be protected from rent rises, the state government says.

The federal government has urged the states not to dilute its pension increase by increasing rents for public housing tenants, who normally pay 25 per cent of their income in rent.

State Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the states had failed to reach a national approach, and Queensland would quarantine the pension increase from public housing rent rises.

"Other states aren't willing to agree so we're providing certainty and going it alone," Mr Fraser told ABC Radio.

Mr Fraser said the government would not seek other ways to pass on a rent rise.

Opposition treasury spokesman Tim Nicholls said it was a good move, which the Liberal National Party (LNP) had called for weeks ago.

"We think they could have done it earlier, we certainly moved that in the parliament four weeks ago, so it is a good move," Mr Nicholls told ABC Radio.