The department responsible for coordinating Australia's response to disasters and emergency management has closed its doors due to poor air quality.

The Department of Home Affairs has told staff to stay home as thick bushfire smoke blankets Canberra.

Staff have been told to stay away from Canberra headquarters for 48 hours, but some essential employees will work from other locations.

The capital's air quality was the worst of any major city in the world on Monday morning, as winds carried in smoke from bushfires in NSW.

AQI

The Department of Health relocated staff in Canberra to other offices in the city due to the smoke but otherwise operated as normal.

Canberra childcare centres also closed due to the poor air quality in the capital.

YWCA Canberra said the decision to close all its centres in the capital was to protect staff and children from the hazardous air.

First day back in the office and also first day ever wearing a P2 mask while waiting for my bus. But while the air quality here in Melb is officially unhealthy its still nothing compared to the #canberrasmoke . And look at the reading for Tuggeranong today 🙁 pic.twitter.com/46J96ZxOTX — Yuri Cath (@YuriCath1) January 5, 2020

Shops, museums and recreational facilities all shut their doors across the capital as air quality deteriorated.

The National Gallery of Australia said closing its doors allowed it protect staff and patrons, but also the art on display.

The gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of Matisse and Picasso works.

Starting to see an impact from the #canberrasmoke on the @Aust_Parliament #bees. Quite lethargic, and the foragers seem to be struggling to find their way back to the #beehives. pic.twitter.com/gfjMxZW5tA — Cormac Farrell (@jagungal1) January 5, 2020

All Qantas flights at Canberra Airport were cancelled on Sunday due to the smoke.

Australia Post also cancelled deliveries in the capital, citing worker safety, leaving the local State Emergency Service to deliver particulate-filter masks to shops with depleted stocks.