The NRL will deliver a 40 million Australian dollars rescue package to all 16 clubs to help with operating costs amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The league was postponed through just two rounds on March 23 due to the COVID-19 crisis, which has brought sport to a standstill across the world.

Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chair Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg announced the revised financial plan – which provides clubs with the capacity to survive the financial year with either a remodelled 20-week competition or no games – on Monday, with monthly grant payments to teams between April and October.

The NRL will also reduce its operating costs by 53 per cent, including a 95 per cent reduction in staffing levels during the shutdown period and a 25 per cent cut in executive salaries.

Meanwhile, the NRL has proposed a funding model for player payments to the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA).

"We have a consolidated plan and working with the clubs and the players, are united in our efforts to do all we can to protect rugby league," V'landys said. 

"We had no option but to stop the competition in the wake of advice from our Biosecurity and Pandemic expert but remain optimistic that the season will restart as quickly as possible, ideally by July 1.

"If that isn't possible, then we need to be prepared for that option as well and are making the tough financial decisions now to reduce costs to ensure we get through this crisis."

Greenberg added: "We are working together to achieve the best outcome in the short, and long term. We must use this opportunity to reset the game's costs and overall structure.

"These measures will put the game in the best position to rebound strongly from the pandemic."

Globally, there have been more than 33,980 deaths and over 723,000 confirmed cases.

In Australia, at least 17 people have died from coronavirus, with more than 4,100 cases.