Prime Minister Scott Morrison appeared on the brink of tears when he addressed Australia and gave the nation a rare glimpse into the personal toll the coronavirus pandemic is having on its leader.

He was asked by a reporter what keeps him up at night during a press conference.

Morrison was quick to answer, saying that it’s a “great comfort” having his family in Canberra with him.

"I am pleased that my family is with me, they have joined me in Canberra and that is a great comfort to me ... I hope that it is comfort to them," he said.

"But they sustain me. We are just like any other family; I suppose in many other respects.

Morrison then went onto explain that he tries to keep his kids informed and give them “positive and encouraging news”.

“You talk to your kids about what this means and I suppose the really difficult issue for all of us is trying to imagine the world on the other side of this and to give your family some positive and encouraging news,” Morrison said.

Morrison’s voice began to waver when he thought back to his grandmother.

“I think back to my grandmother and how she lived through the Depression and I remember as a kid being told stories by my grandmother about what they used to do as a family to get through and we are doing the same thing in our house.

“You have got to keep your family positive and keep connected and together. To us, our faith is very important to us. That helps us get through each day. But every family is different. Stay together, Australia.”

Morrison announced in the press conference that child care will become completely free so that parents can continue working, a temporary overhaul that is estimated to cost $1.6 million.

It was in the same press conference that Attorney-General Christian Porter announced changes made by the Fair Work Commission to the nation’s employment conditions.

This ensures workers get better protections during the coronavirus pandemic, including access to two weeks unpaid leave for workers in hospitality and retail if they need to self-isolate from coronavirus.