Coursework teaching will stop for one week starting Monday, March 23 but the university will remain open, including libraries, childcare centres, retail outlets and residential halls.

The ANU said the pause would let it focus on finalising moving courses to remote learning so it could finish semester one and continue teaching for the rest of the year; focus on safely bringing home staff and students who were overseas; setting up work from home arrangements; and finalising local level business continuity plans.

All staff, including casuals, will continue to receive their usual fortnightly pay, and the pause will not affect any planned leave or self-isolation arrangements.

READ MORE: Latest coronavirus coverage here

The ANU's two-week mid-semester break will still occur as planned starting Monday April 6, and semester one will be extended by one week.

The timing of the end of semester and exam period will be adjusted to accommodate the change, the ANU said.

ANU vice-chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt on Wednesday said the decision did not mean students should stop studying.

"The pause is in teaching - not learning - students are encouraged to keep studying independently," he said.

"I do not make this decision lightly and it is in the best interests of maintaining the health and wellbeing of our community, as well as our key operations."

We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.