Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the testing rate had risen to more than 1000 tests per 100,000 population, or one per cent of the population.

"We are the first country to the best of our knowledge that has been able to exceed that mark," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the testing regime complemented the "ring of steel" created around Australia through limiting those coming in and putting in place quarantine and isolation procedures for travellers.

He said the 261,000 tests conducted were an "extraordinary effort by our medical professionals, by our supply chain management, by our pathologists, who are very courageous leaders doing all of this work to save lives and protect lives".

The testing had resulted in an average of just below two per cent positive results.

Mr Hunt said contact tracing and Australians engaging in social distancing and self-isolation were also contributing to the fight.

Australian Associated Press