More than 600 people are believed to have been diagnosed with coronavirus in Victoria over the past 24 hours.
It is also believed seven more people died of the disease in the state in the past day.
It follows a record 723 cases yesterday.
If confirmed, it would be the second biggest day for new coronavirus cases since the pandemic began in Australia.
The figures will be confirmed in a yet-to-be-announced press conference from the Victorian government later today.
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles said a New Zealand-style lockdown may be needed to get the COVID-19 breakout in Victoria under control.
"I do think we need to brace ourselves for, you know, tougher measures if that's what's required," Mr Marles said on Today.
"I mean, ultimately the one thing that we can't allow to keep happening is for this number to be going in the wrong direction and, you know, to state the obvious, we need to do whatever it takes."
Mr Marles also criticised infected Victorians for not staying at home and risking community transmission.
"There is an enormous sense of frustration about people not following the rules ... The idea that people are not following the rules is genuinely unbelievable," he said.
He described the crisis in his state as a "very, very desperate time".
Elsewhere, just one new case has been diagnosed in Queensland – a returned traveller in quarantine.
You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.
Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348
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