One floor of the department's Belconnen office on Chan Street was closed after a staff member presented for a COVID-19 test.

An all-staff message was sent to workers on Wednesday afternoon directing them to work from home while the staff member awaited the results of a COVID-19 test.

Staff were told to return to the office on Friday following the negative result while those with flexible working agreements in place could continue working from home.

"All staff in the affected building have been advised to return to the worksite following a negative COVID-19 test result," the department told The Canberra Times on Thursday afternoon.

"These precautions were implemented out of an abundance of caution in light of the unfolding COVID-19 situation in Victoria and New South Wales."

Home Affairs employees who test for COVID-19 are required to fill out a notification form in order to alert the department to potential spread.

The Community and Public Sector Union applauded the department's quick response to protect workers from a potential government cluster.

National deputy president Brooke Muscat said working from home was an important tool departments could use as outbreaks continued throughout the vaccine rollout.

"As these events will continue to occur until the virus is defeated, workers are pleased to see that the department has moved forward in its health protocols since confusion last week in Victoria prior to the lockdown," Ms Muscat said.

"It is essential that Home Affairs facilitate working from home in these incidents, and when local outbreaks occur."

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Other department offices based in Canberra have said advice on working from home in response to possible contacts would be updated in accordance with ACT Health advice.

The Attorney-General's Department said visitors in Canberra will continue to be screened prior to entry to determine whether they have attended COVID-affected areas as identified by ACT Health.

Employees at the Veterans' Affairs Department who had visited Melbourne in recent weeks had also tested negative.

"Any Canberra staff who have visited Melbourne hotspots in the lead up to the lock down have been working remotely and undergone COVID testing, all with a negative result," a spokesperson said.

The Canberra Times has sought comments from other agencies to confirm whether staff have been affected elsewhere.

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