Prime Minister Scott Morrison has postponed handing down the federal budget until 6 October because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The government was due to deliver the budget in mid-May but has pushed it back as Australia responds to the spreading disease.
The states and territories have agreed to push back their own budgets after a meeting of the national cabinet on Friday.
"It was agreed today that putting budgets together at this time, with the great uncertainty that exists, is not something that any commonwealth or state government should be doing," the prime minister said in Canberra.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: AAP
"As a result, we have already decided that we will not be now handing down a budget until the first Tuesday in October.
"States and territories will be working to similar timetables."
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said forecasting for budgets is difficult at the best of times - "let alone when we're in the midst of a global pandemic".
"It's important that we are able to deliver a budget at a time where there is more certainty about the economic environment and that is planned for the first Tuesday in October," he said.
Extra cash to aged care to cope with virus
The federal government will pour an extra $444.6 million into aged care facilities, including money to help them hold onto staff amid the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Morrison announced the extra funding would comprise $234.9 million in retention bonuses, $78.3 million to support continuity of workforce and $26.9 million to keep facilities financially viable.
Other money will be set aside to support in-home care providers, including Meals on Wheels.
Banks have also offered to defer loan repayments from small and medium-sized businesses for six months after the Reserve Bank cut interest rates to 0.25 per cent and took other steps to relieve pressure on lenders.
Treasurer Frydenberg labelled the decision "a game-changer".
Indoor event limit to prevent virus spread
Australians will have to space themselves out one person for every four square metres for gatherings of less than 100 people.
Mr Morrison has introduced the new measure as part of a crackdown on activities to slow the spread of coronavirus.
"So for example, if you've got a room, if you've got a premises, if you've got a meeting room or something like that, that's 100 square metres, then you can have 25 people in that room," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy also stressed the importance of people required to self-isolate after returning from overseas - following these rules.
"This issue of quarantining when you come home is serious. This is not an advisory - this is your civic duty to your fellow Australians to stay home," he said.
Entry restrictions for Indigenous communities
States and territories have also been asked to nominate specific areas which will be subject to entry restrictions, to minimise the spread into vulnerable communities.
Some travel exemptions will apply, including for medical treatment, food and medical supplies, mental health and domestic violence support and emergency services.
Prime Minister Morrison said the biosecurity act would be harnessed to restrict travel to remote Indigenous communities and prevent the spread of the contagion.
"States and territories will nominate prescribed areas with indigenous communities as an emergency requirement as determined under the biosecurity act," he said.
Housing protections
States will also identify greater protections for commercial and residential tenants.
While rental assistance is expected to flow to people who are forced to move onto welfare payments.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition leader Anthony Albanese will meet on Sunday to discuss future sittings of parliament.
Parliament sits this coming Monday to debate and pass the virus-related economic stimulus package.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
