Non-urgent elective surgeries in Australia's public and private hospitals will be banned from midnight in a bid to preserve the healthcare system to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

Key points: The Prime Minister says hospitals need to focus on dealing with coronavirus, with many large metropolitan hospitals training up staff, such as physios, in critical care

The Prime Minister says hospitals need to focus on dealing with coronavirus, with many large metropolitan hospitals training up staff, such as physios, in critical care Scott Morrison says the surgery ban is the result of advice from an expert health panel

Scott Morrison says the surgery ban is the result of advice from an expert health panel He has also announced a new commission headed by former Fortescue Metals chief Nev Power to advise the Government on "solving problems"

It comes as hospitals across the country make unprecedented moves to prepare for a predicted influx of coronavirus patients, with staff at one major Sydney hospital told to learn how to use ventilators and mechanical ventilation devices through online training modules.

The ABC also understands doctors in specialist areas outside of critical care and the ICU are being told to be prepare for reassignment out of their normal areas in order to fight the virus in the coming months.

This includes specialities such as physiotherapists being re-trained in critical care procedures and GPs being placed into special COVID-19 response teams.

The unprecedented response comes as the National Cabinet, which includes Prime Minister Scott Morrison as well as premiers and chief ministers, agreed to the elective surgery ban following a meeting late on Tuesday.

He said the surgery cancellations were based on the advice of the expert medical panel.

"[It will] allow the preservation of resources, including personal protective equipment, and allow health services to prepare for their role in the COVID-19 outbreak," he said.

The only elective surgeries to continue are those in category one and urgent category two cases.

Only urgent elective surgeries will take place after midnight. ( Unsplash )

Category one surgeries are for life-threatening conditions and include urgent procedures such as limb amputations and heart surgery.

Category two can include surgeries such as a colonoscopy or amputation of a digit.

While category three is generally for non-urgent procedures, such as plastic or reconstructive surgeries, where patients can wait up to a year until admission.

The ABC understands that earlier this week — before Wednesday's announcement — some non life-threatening cancer surgeries at one of Sydney's biggest hospitals had already been cancelled because of the impact of coronavirus.

Patients who need treatment within 30 days fall into category one, and those where admission is desirable within 90 days are category two.

The Prime Minister also confirmed Australia had carried out almost 163,000 COVID-19 tests.

He said that equated to 25 times the level of testing in the United States and almost five times the United Kingdom.

Leaders join COVID-19 commission

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 6 minutes 7 seconds 6 m PM announces commission to "problem solve" coronavirus response

Former Fortescue Metals boss Neville Power, the Perth Airport and Royal Flying Doctors Service chairman, will lead the Prime Minister's coronavirus commission.

"The commission will assist the Government to ensure all resources are marshalled to this vital task in a coordinated and effective manner," Mr Morrison said.

Former Telstra CEO David Thodey will be the deputy chairman of the commission.

The board will include former federal Labor MP Greg Combet, former federal Finance Department boss Jane Halton, Energy Australia managing director and Reserve Bank board member Catherine Tanna, and businessman Paul Little.

The heads of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Phil Gaetjens, and Home Affairs, Mike Pezzullo, will also be on the committee.

Mr Morrison said more people would be added to the commission in the future.