Australian authorities have said more than half of the adult population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as they step up inoculations in hopes of easing restrictions while cases linger near daily record levels in Victoria.

Victoria has reported one new death and 733 new infections, its second biggest daily rise in the pandemic, down from the record high of 766 a day before. Most cases were detected in Melbourne.

Both New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian leaders have pledged more freedom to residents once full vaccinations in people older than 16 reach 70 per cent, expected next month.

So far, 57pc have been fully vaccinated in NSW, above the national average of 50.1pc. Two million doses were administered in the country in the last seven days, according to Reuters.