The arrest of a crying pregnant woman in Australia for promoting an anti-lockdown protest online has drawn criticism, after video of the incident went viral.

Footage shows officers handcuffing Zoe-Lee Buhler, 28, in her home in the state of Victoria on Wednesday in front of her partner and children.

She starts crying during the arrest, telling police: "I didn't realise I was doing anything wrong."

Authorities have defended the officers, saying they acted appropriately.

Last week police in Victoria - which has been in lockdown since July - warned they would arrest people for organising protests in breach of the ban on gatherings.