Deakin University's Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development wants to regularly survey more than 2000 families about how they are dealing with the pandemic for the next six months.

The online survey will include questions on parent and child mental health and wellbeing, sleep, physical activity, social support, isolation, couple conflict and parenting.

A team of 20 researchers at the centre will collate and analyse the data.

Lead researcher and clinical psychologist Elizabeth Westrupp said COVID-19 is likely to cause chronic family stress.

"We know there are risks for those families living with chronic stress and social isolation, and this study can provide timely information and tools for successful clinical and public health interventions," she said on Wednesday.

Families can learn more about the survey and volunteer to participate at https://pandemicstudy.com.

The survey includes an initial 20 minutes worth of questions, followed by 10 minutes of questions each fortnight for six months.

Director of the research centre Professor Craig Olsson said a population-representative sample is crucial.

"It's important we understand how the pandemic is affecting families right around Australia, including those in rural, remote and regional areas, as well as in our cities," he said.

Australian Associated Press