Scepticism about climate change in Australia may be something else that will melt during the nation's great heatwave.

Joseph Reser, adjunct professor at Griffith University's School of Applied Psychology, said ''there's a powerful climate change signal in extreme weather events in Australia for the public - the current heatwave is outside people's experience''.

A study published in late 2012 by Griffith University and co-authored by Professor Reser found Australians were more ready to accept that climate change is happening - and many believe they are already experiencing it.

On Saturday, a new record for the hot spell was set at Moomba, which recorded 49.6 degrees, while temperatures in Victoria were generally milder.