Premier Daniel Andrews said the state government will provide the 25,000 RATs on a cost recovery basis.

He said providing the tests to the key industries for a short period of time would help ease demand until stocks are boosted.

Read more: Daily COVID-19 cases plummet in Greater Bendigo

"This is about dealing with shortage issues," he said. "Every million (RATs) we land in our state takes the pressure off the demand.

"The pressure there is for these tests. I'm not saying it is easy to get them but if some critical industries are not in the market (for RATs, it will help)

"A lot of staff are furloughed and have to do five RATs. This makes sure the rules work for all of us in keeping stock on the shelves."

Mr Andrews said a Jobs Victoria program designed to help fill staff shortages had received more than 2000 responses.

Jobs Victoria is working with major supermarkets including Coles, Woolworths and Aldi as well as wholesaler Metcash, to fill staff shortages in roles such as pick-packers, night-fillers, cashiers, delivery drivers and forklift operators.

"We want to keep food on the supermarket shelves and Victorians in jobs - and this program does both," he said.

"This rapid response to workforce issues along the supply chain will help minimise disruptions to the food an essentials Victorians rely on, which is critical as we navigate Omicron."

Read more: Where's the meat? Employers, governments should have seen this supply crisis coming

Coles executive manager Kevin Gunn said every aspect of the food supply chain had been impacted recently through team members isolating and parts of the work force being unavailable.

"Whether it is farmers, food processors, manufacturers or transport, it has impacted distribution and in store," he said. "The end results is fewer products for our for customers to buy.

"Many team members stepped up and have taken on additional hours - we thank them for that.

"Through the pandemic we have worked with state and federal governments on improving the situation for customers.

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"There are great stories of team members coming through the system and Jobs Victoria. We had more than 1000 candidates come forward and (new) team members have started.

Among them were distribution centre worker Con. The Laverton worker said he started within two days of submitting his application through the Jobs Victoria program.

"I spent 27 years as a public servant until 2014 when I left to try other things such as supermarket working, shelf stacking and cleaning," he said. "I like working and got a good work ethic from my parents. There are opportunities out there.

"My first job was a picker, now I am a forklift driver. I pick stock, wrap it and it goes all over Victoria. I've put food on people's table. It's an essential service and my career has moved on."

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