Victorians looking to retrain for work in the healthcare sector and other in-demand jobs following the pandemic will be offered subsidised and free TAFE courses.
It comes as Australia reported seven new virus-related deaths on Saturday — four in New South Wales and three in South Australia.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the pandemic had highlighted the importance of skilling for the healthcare sector, as well as causing many people to reconsider their careers.
"If you want a job that really matters then now is the time to make a change," he said on Sunday.
The 10,000 extra TAFE places announced will cost about $61.6 million but won't only be limited to healthcare courses.
Victoria offers free training at TAFE for select courses for eligible students including people under 20, unemployed people or those looking to reskill and change careers.
About 900 students per year will be able to train at the Kangan Institute's Essendon health hub when it opens in June, with new nursing and pathology simulation labs part of the construction.
The announcement came as Victoria recorded another 6,694 cases, but no deaths.
There are 215 people in hospital and 21 in ICU, with six on ventilation.
Some 63.8 per cent of those aged over 18 have received a third vaccine dose.
New SA premier to back virus health advice
In South Australia meanwhile, incoming Premier Peter Malinauskas said his new Labor government would continue to back the health advice in dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
After several days of reasonably high, but largely stable, infection numbers Mr Malinauskas said he would meet soon with senior health officials and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens on the issue.
"Throughout the pandemic, I backed in the health advice. That's something we were consistent on," he told reporters on Sunday.
"We intend to continue to follow the health advice but also make sure that is done in a way that is considered and tested against other variables."
Incoming SA Premier Peter Malinauskas says he will continue to back the health advice on COVID-19 management.
He said he also intended to push ahead with amending the state's Emergency Management Act, the legislation used to impose restrictions and other measures including mask mandates, lockdowns and density limits.
"The act is not fit for purpose for a global pandemic that lasts for two years," he said.
The new premier's comments came as SA Health reported three deaths from the virus on Saturday, two men in their 60s and on in their 70s.
The state reported 3,168 new virus infections on Sunday, the third fall in case numbers in as many days.
They had jumped to 4,474 on 17 March, a two-month high, after officials eased a range of coronavirus measures including the scrapping of all density limit. There are currently 148 people in hospital and seven in ICU.
Across the other states and territories, New South Wales reported 16,813 new cases and four new deaths on Sunday. There are 1,124 people in hospital, including 33 in ICU and 15 requiring ventilation.
Queensland announced no new deaths on Sunday but 5,707 new cases. Authorities reported 228 people in hospital, 17 in ICU.
There were no new deaths in Western Australia but 5,626 new cases, 155 people in hospital, three in ICU.
Tasmania reported 1,305 new cases but no new deaths. There are 20 people in hospital with the virus across the island state, including two in ICU.
In the Northern Territory, there were 164 new cases and no deaths reported on Sunday, while 15 people remain in hospital with the virus.
The ACT announced 926 new cases and no new virus-related deaths. The number of people in hospital in the territory numbered 38, including four in ICU.
