The Australian National University intends to move most of its large classes to online delivery.
Some smaller classes and tutorials could also be moved to online delivery.
Staff and students currently overseas for university purposes, including those on exchange, will also be recalled back to Australia.
ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt detailed the university's planned approach in an email to staff and students on Monday afternoon.
He said measures, such as moving to online courses, were being taken to limit the spread of the disease.
"This week we are going to start to push for fully online delivery of many of our large classes and look at those smaller classes and tutorials, where social distancing is hard," Mr Schmidt said.
"That way we can find appropriate solutions."
In the email, Mr Schmidt said the university would take steps to support staff and students overseas.
"Students are being contacted with information on what to do next and the support we can provide to return home as soon as possible," he wrote.
"Staff who are currently overseas on university travel will be contacted and be provided support to return home."
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Mr Schmidt said there was a wider response team coordinated by the university's critical response team, which was made up of seven groups under the leadership of ANU chief operating officer Paul Duldig.
In the email, he said the university wanted to provide a balanced response.
"We want to find a balance - a balance where we can do most of our activities - but where COVID-19 spread is prevented, so we can avoid the exponential breakout that will require us to cease most of our activity for potentially long periods of time," Mr Schmidt wrote.
"We all have a role to play. The better we do at containing the disease by our actions - the less draconian measures we'll need to take in the future, and the safer our community will be."
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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