The federal government is cautiously optimistic it can avoid a recession after injecting $17.6 billion of stimulus into the economy, of which $11 billion will be spent before the end of June, adding 1.5 per cent to economic growth for the quarter.

Following the release of the package on Thursday, which targeted 6.5 million individuals and 3.5 million businesses, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told The Australian Financial Review the government had done all Treasury had recommended in terms of stimulus but was gearing up to do more in the May budget, if need be.