This week's national cabinet meeting has been postponed, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time this year.
Mr Albanese revealed on Monday afternoon that he had the virus and was isolating at Kirribilli House in Sydney.
"This afternoon I had a routine PCR test which has returned a positive result for COVID-19," he said.
"I will be isolating and will continue to work from home.
"I encourage anyone who is unwell to test and to take any extra precautions to keep their families and neighbours well."
The prime minister was meant to meet state and territory leaders for a national cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where the federal government was expecting to thrash out its plan to contain rising power prices by intervening in the energy market.
Last week, the ABC revealed that, as part of the intervention, the government was set to cap gas prices at around $12 a gigajoule and force companies to set aside gas for domestic use.
However, that proposal has been facing resistance from states, with New South Wales and Queensland floating the prospect the Commonwealth would have to compensate them for lost royalties if caps were put in place.
A spokesman for the prime minister confirmed that national cabinet had been delayed, however it remains unclear whether Mr Albanese's scheduled trip to Papua New Guinea next Monday will go ahead.
This is the second time the prime minister has tested positive for COVID-19, after contracting it during the federal election campaign earlier this year.
His infection comes amid an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country in recent weeks.
The federal opposition is criticising the decision to cancel national cabinet, arguing the meeting should be held remotely.
Acting opposition leader Sussan Ley said given the prime minister is working from home, the meeting should go ahead on Wednesday.
"Australians were promised cost-of-living relief would be delivered at this meeting of national cabinet," she said.
"They are relying on this meeting to take place.
"Hopefully, the prime minister reconsiders his decision to cancel the meeting."
Ms Ley said the opposition was sending its best wishes to the prime minister for a speedy recovery.
