Victoria has recorded 1,247 cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths in the past 24 hours, with 81 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over fully vaccinated.
The number is up from the 941 new coronavirus infections recorded on Wednesday, the second day in a row of numbers below 1,000.
The state has 660 people in hospital, with 114 in intensive care and 78 requiring ventilation.
There are 17,674 active cases of COVID-19.
It comes as New South Wales ended a week of daily infection numbers below 300.
There have not been three straight days of daily cases below 1,000 in Victoria since late September, and Thursdays have been "spike" days in recent weeks.
Cases have been falling despite restrictions further easing late last week, ahead of the state hitting 80 per cent full vaccination of its 16-plus population.
Under Victoria's roadmap, almost all restrictions will end for fully vaccinated people when 90 per cent of those 12 and over are double dosed - a milestone forecast on or around 24 Novembe.
The change in emphasis has prompted the Department of Health to start reporting the daily vaccination uptake of Victorians aged 12 and over, instead of those 16 and up, from Thursday.
Premier Daniel Andrews pressed the importance of people following up with their second dose vaccine booking to prevent serious illness.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews during a press conference in Melbourne last month. Source: AAP
"Ninety-five or 96 per cent of the people in hospital who are gravely ill have not had a first or a second dose," he told reporters in Ballarat.
Meanwhile, another 10,000-strong crowd is expected through the gates of Flemington Racecourse on Thursday for Oaks Day after major events returned over the long weekend.
Perrottet warns cases expected to rise in NSW
Meanwhile NSW recorded 308 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday from 94,661 tests.
The figures mark a jump of 118 infections - a day after Premier Dominic Perrottet warned to expect daily cases and hospitalisations to increase.
There are 302 people in hospital, 64 of them in ICU. Some 93.7 per cent of people aged 16 and older have had one vaccine dose and 88.7 per cent are fully jabbed.
The premier on Wednesday flagged a likely increase in cases, saying low numbers will not be sustainable as the state opens up, with extensive new freedoms to kick in next week.
New South Wales recorded 308 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases on Thursday. Source: AAP
"The reality is case numbers will increase, hospitalisations will increase - we need to learn to live alongside this pandemic," Mr Perrottet said.
NSW has so far defied predictions COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations would soar as restrictions ease.
Mr Perrottet declined to reveal what the latest modelling predicted, maintaining the state's post-lockdown opening up would go ahead, on the back of "world-leading" vaccination rates.
Most restrictions that were due to ease in December will now lift on Monday for the fully vaccinated - while unvaccinated people will have to wait until December 15, or until the state achieves its 95 per cent double-dose vaccination target.
The double jabbed will be able to have as many visitors as they want while density and capacity limits at hospitality venues will be lifted, with dancing at nightclubs permitted.
Domestic travel, including trips between greater Sydney and regional NSW, will be allowed.
Stadiums, racecourses, theme parks, zoos, and entertainment facilities such as cinemas, theatres and amusement centres can also operate at full capacity.
