Victoria will encourage public sector workers to get their third COVID-19 vaccine jab by offering half a day's paid time off.
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Treasurer Tim Pallas on Friday announced the extension of the arrangement, which was also used for first and second doses.
It means more than 300,000 teachers, paramedics, police officers, firefighters and other public sector workers across the state will be paid to get their booster shot.
"We're doing this because the health and safety of our public service, public sector employees and indeed the whole community is vitally important to us," Mr Pallas told reporters on Friday.
"We recognise that as an employer we do have a duty of care to our public servants, but they also have a responsibility to the community at large to make sure that they're not a source of infection in those interactions."
The strong recommendation for Victorians to continue to work and study - for adult education - from home where possible will remain.
Victoria's third dose rate has lifted to 28 per cent as a four-day 'booster blitz' begins at eight state-run hubs on Friday.
Hours at major hubs including Bendigo, La Trobe University and Sandown have been extended, while more than 100 GPs and pharmacies across the state will receive grants to provide additional appointments at the weekend.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the blitz was off to a strong start, with 36,000 bookings made over the past four days.
"We did see an initial spike in online bookings, up 90 per cent in 24 hours on Tuesday," he said.
He said Victoria's booster levels were now comparable to those in the United States, which started its national vaccination program earlier than Australia.
Earlier this week the state cut the interval between second and third doses to three months in government clinics.
Victoria recorded 18,167 new COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths on Friday.
The new infections include 10,023 from PCR tests and 8144 from rapid antigen tests.
It takes the number of active cases in the state to 252,399, up by 5505.
However, hospital figures have dropped by 110 to 1096, ahead of Victoria's expected Omicron peak.
The number of Victorians in intensive care sits at 121, with 34 people on ventilation.
Australian Associated Press
