PM calls for co-ordinated school reopening
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says work is under way to ensure the reopening of schools for the new year is harmonised across the country.
Health
Home test shortages due to hoarders: Joyce
The federal government has warned people not to hoard rapid testing kits as pharmacies expressed concern about how free tests will be rolled out.
Vic GP child vaccine supply ‘sporadic’
Victorian GPs are receiving child COVID-19 vaccine doses in "sporadic" and "inadequate" numbers, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners says.
Calls for patience in kids’ jab rollout
Lieutenant General John Frewen says vaccine supply for children aged between five and 11 isn't an issue as he works to overcome distribution problems.
Enough doses as kids’ program begins: Hunt
Health Minister Greg Hunt says there will be three million COVID-19 vaccines available over January for the children's program which begins on Monday.
Vic school start as normal, jab for kids
Victoria isn't planning on delaying the start of the school year as kids over five become eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine.
Djokovic had COVID-19, court papers reveal
World No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic contracted COVID-19 ahead of his trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open, court documents show.
Govt eases rules on COVID-19 leave support
Workers who return a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test will soon be able to access pandemic leave disaster payments .
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PM urges workers: keep pushing through
More of the economy is coming under strain as Omicron ravages supply chains and uncertainty affecting everything from recruitment to farmers, food and shops.
Price hikes on rapid tests now illegal
Changes to biosecurity laws have come into place, making it illegal for retailers to mark up prices on rapid antigen tests by more than 20 per cent.
NSW forges ahead with school return plan
NSW is sticking to its plan to return students to classrooms at the start of February, before most primary school aged children can be fully vaccinated.
WA relaxes mask mandate, Omicron spreads
Western Australia has recorded its first locally acquired Omicron case as authorities ease a face mask mandate in some public indoor venues.
New NSW restrictions, triple-vax mandate
NSW has halted singing in clubs and pubs for three weeks and will impose a triple-vaccination mandate for some people as it tries to slow the Omicron wave.
ACT reports 1246 new COVID-19 cases
The national capital has recorded 1246 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the first time daily numbers have passed into the thousands.
Tas reports 1489 virus cases: a new record
Tasmania has reported 1489 new coronavirus infections, the first time the island state has recorded a four-digit daily figure.
Victoria records 21,728 cases, six deaths
Victoria has recorded 21,728 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths, as the state's health system shifts to rely more heavily on rapid antigen tests.
More than 400 virus outbreaks in aged care
There are more than 400 active outbreaks of COVID-19 in aged care facilities across Australia as concerns are raised about how the workforce will cope.
PM ushers Australians to support payment
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has encouraged people to access pandemic support payments if they are forced to isolate due to local health orders.
Infected WA security guard spreads virus
Western Australia has detected one new local COVID-19 case as an infected quarantine worker at Perth's Hyatt Hotel spreads the virus.
ACT man dies from COVID in Sydney hospital
A Canberra man in his 20s has died in a Sydney hospital from COVID-19, having had two vaccines and no underlying health conditions.
NSW hospitals pressured amid record cases
Elective surgery could be cancelled and private hospitals asked to help relieve the hospital system after NSW recorded 34,994 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths.
RATs on the way amid NSW testing pressure
The number of COVID-19 infections in NSW continues to climb as the state records 35,054 new cases, with rapid antigen tests still more than a week away.
Tas cases ‘could be twice’ reported figure
One in 50 Tasmanians could be an active COVID-19 case in a week's time, health authorities have said just 21 days after the state reopened to hotspots.
ACT records 810 new COVID-19 cases
As the ACT records 810 new COVID-19 cases, a new mass vaccination clinic will be opened to deliver booster shots to Canberrans.
Victoria records 17,636 new COVID cases
Victoria has recorded 17,636 new COVID cases, with nearly one in three people tested returning a positive result.
NSW cases hit 35,054, with eight deaths
The number of COVID-19 infections in NSW is continuing to climb after the state recorded 35,054 new cases, eight deaths and a rise in hospitalisations.
‘Panic buying’ blamed for test shortage
As Australia recorded its highest daily total of new COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Scott has rebuffed calls for free rapid antigen tests.
WA COVID cases up by two, Omicron warning
Western Australia has detected two new COVID-19 cases likely linked to an infected French backpacker as authorities warn Omicron could be in the community.
ACT records record of 926 COVID-19 cases
The ACT has registered a one-day record of 926 COVID-19 cases, almost double the previous high.
Millions more eligible for boosters
Around 7.5 million Australians are eligible for their booster shots as of Tuesday as states continue to record soaring infection numbers.
WA backpacker-COVID cluster grows by two
Western Australia has detected two new COVID-19 cases which are likely to be linked to an infected French backpacker who travelled from Queensland.