The college offers agricultural training and courses in land and livestock management.

The shutdown meant almost 100 full-time students living on site had to return home, including some back over state borders.

Longerenong College head of campus John Goldsmith said the college was student-free and transitioning to electronic classes in preparation for term two, scheduled for a later start date, possibly on May 4.

"We were scheduled to start back on April 20 but we're probably going to push that back a couple of weeks," he said.

"There are a couple of scheduled skills weeks, purely skills such as shearing sheep.

"It's a bit difficult teaching students how to shear a sheep electronically, so we'll put that on hold for later in the year."

Read more: Northern Grampians records first coronavirus case, the Wimmera's second

Mr Goldsmith said in the meantime the college would focus on theory components while pushing back practical skills training.

At Federation University, teaching has been paused, including at the School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions.

According to federal health minister Greg Hunt, increasing COVID-19 cases will likely create "unprecedented demand for health care", which "will put pressure on our health system and health professionals, especially doctors and nurses whose work is vital to protecting and saving lives."

A Federation University spokesperson said fast-tracking nursing students into the workforce "would need to be co-ordinated by government at a state or national level".

"We have an important role to play in educating and training our future healthcare workforce and a responsibility to ensure they are properly qualified and ready to work when they graduate," the spokesperson said.

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