People who try to deliberately infect doctors with COVID-19 could be jailed for life, according to Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt, who has vowed to step up protection of frontline staff.

Disturbed by reports of doctors being threatened or coughed on, Mr Hunt has warned authorities will be cracking down on threats and intimidation of healthcare workers.

He will make deliberate transmission of the coronavirus a criminal office under state and territory laws, he told a press conference on Wednesday.

The offence would carry a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment if a healthcare worker was to die as result of deliberate transmission