NSW calls for purpose-built facilities after hotel leak speculation

Speculation that Melbourne's latest COVID-19 outbreak may have leaked from hotel quarantine has renewed calls from other states for dedicated facilities.

Pressure is mounting on the federal government after NSW became the latest state to put its hand up for a purpose-built quarantine facility.

Victoria received an initial green light for one this week, to build a hub similar to the Howard Springs facility in Darwin.

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Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 21 reported breaches within the hotel quarantine system.

NSW has taken in 44 percent of international arrivals since the start of the pandemic, and the state's hotel quarantine system is currently at capacity.

A proposal for a purpose-built quarantine facility needs to meet several criteria.

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The hub will need to be near an international airport and no more than one hour away from a specialist hospital.

It must also add to the state's hotel quarantine system capacity and be on a Commonwealth-owned site.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has not yet revealed what location might fit the bill.