Australia's medical regulator has provisionally approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday.

The approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is for Australians aged 16 years and over, said Morrison.

"This approval and the upcoming rollout of the vaccine will play an important part in our ability to manage the pandemic in 2021," said Minister for Health Greg Hunt.

Vaccination of priority groups is expected to begin in late February, at 80,000 doses per week, Hunt told reporters.

Two doses will be required – at least 21 days apart. Australia will administer both doses of the vaccine at the recommended time.

"You don't start what you can't finish, and finishing the job involves two doses," said Morrison, adding a digital system would ensure people get two doses.

He cautioned there are limitations to what the vaccines can do and that the rollout would not mean border restrictions would be lifted.

Quarantine and border personnel, frontline health workers, aged care and disability staff and residents will be the first group to receive vaccines.

Australia expects to have the capacity to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine onshore starting late March.

"I welcome the TGA's approval of the Pfizer vaccine, with our own Australian experts finding it is safe, effective and of a high standard," Morrison said in a statement.