Magnitude‑4.8 earthquake strikes rural Victoria near Leongatha

A 4.8-magnitude earthquake has been recorded near the Victorian town of Leongatha, the second time a quake has hit regional Victoria in a week.

Geoscience Australia said the quake hit at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres just after 2am, and the epicentre was near the South Gippsland town, which is about 135km south-east of Melbourne.

The federal agency's websites cited more than 16,000 felt reports in the area by 3am. There have been no reports of injuries or damage.

Hadi Ghasemi, a geophysicist with Geoscience Australia, told the ABC it was one of the strongest tremors the region had experienced in the last two decades.

Geoscience Australia also confirmed that a 3.1-magnitude aftershock struck, also near Leongatha, just before 3am.

The quake came a week after a 3.9 magnitude earthquake in Victoria's High Country.

Victoria State Emergency Service put out a statement saying there was no immediate threat to the community and no action was required.

"If you felt the earthquake, stay calm, check for hazards, and be prepared for further possible aftershocks," the statement said.

For earthquake related emergency assistance from the SES phone 132 500.