Opera Australia, the country's largest performing arts company, will pay its 600 staff half their wages until May 30 but, like the rest of the sector, is still waiting on government help to survive until the coronavirus crisis abates.

OA reported $20 million cash on hand in its last annual report, and with no box office revenue expected for months, it is likely to spend most of that on the employee support package. The package also allows staff to bring forward annual leave and long service leave to a maximum 80 per cent of previous salary.