"COVID-19 is a global challenge but we each need to play our part in the response.

"I have written to all major streaming services asking them to do the same, and look forward to working collaboratively together."

A spokesman for Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said the government, NBN Co, and internet providers were having constructive discussions with streaming and gaming platforms about “steps they could take to help optimise broadband conditions, such as by temporarily dialing back the default very high ‘bit rate’ they use to transfer data over the networks”.

Government and industry sources said there had been no explicit request or direction to change bit rates at this stage.

Discussions have focused on platforms having the capacity to make the change should it be needed or requested. The issue was canvassed in an industry meeting on the COVID-19 crisis hosted by Mr Fletcher earlier this week.

Netflix has the capability to make changes to help with the network in Australia, if explicitly asked, but already works with internet service providers and its own content servers to manage demand and adapt streaming equality where necessary.

"Following the discussions between Commissioner Thierry Breton and Reed Hastings - and given the extraordinary challenges raised by the coronavirus - Netflix has decided to begin reducing bit rates across all our streams in Europe for 30 days," a Netflix spokesman said.