Treasurer defends end of free RAT scheme
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the federal government can't continue to give free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for concession card holders indefinitely.
epidemic and plague
Albanese RAT call, COVID ship hits Sydney
As a cruise ship with more than 100 COVID-19 cases docks in Sydney, Anthony Albanese has urged concession card holders to get free RATs while they still can.
GPs, pharmacists urge free test extension
Medical experts want the government to extend the free rapid test program for concession card holders, saying scrapping it sends the wrong public message.
Vic govt knocks back mask mandate advice
Official advice to reintroduce COVID-19 mask mandates has been rejected in Victoria, as the state government puts the onus on employers.
PM defends end to pandemic leave payments
Anthony Albanese has ruled out reintroducing pandemic leave payments, saying the federal government needs to be fiscally responsible.
COVID ship docks in NSW as crew isolates
A cruise ship experiencing an outbreak of the virus among staff has arrived at Eden on the south coast.
COVID-19 reinfections rising, experts warn
Infectious diseases experts have warned COVID-19 reinfections are becoming more common across the country due to new sub-variants of the virus.
Qld virus outbreak spreads to cruise ship
Queensland authorities say a COVID-19 outbreak on a cruise ship "was always going to happen", but the proper protocols to manage it are in place.
Millions to get access to COVID treatments
Potentially lifesaving COVID-19 antiviral treatments are to be made more widely available from Monday, says Health Minister Mark Butler.
Aust COVID-19 death toll surpasses 10,200
Australia's COVID-19 death toll has soared beyond 10,200 as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges people to seek a fourth vaccine dose.
Queensland hospitals hunker down for virus peak
Most of Queensland major hospitals have halted non-urgent procedures and care as the state's number of active COVID-19 cases surges towards 41,000.
Qld hospitals may halt elective surgeries
Elective surgeries may be suspended again in Queensland as the number of active COVID-19 cases in the state nears 40,000.
Millions gain access to fourth COVID shot
More people have become eligible for a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose, with all Australians over the age of 30 now in line for a second booster injection.
Qld urged to prepare for third virus wave
Queensland authorities are urging people to prepare for a third COVID-19 wave saying "it's very likely that either you or someone you know" will be infected.
NSW warned third COVID-19 peak on its way
NSW Health expects COVID-19 cases will peak in late July and early August at levels similar to January, when Omicron cases were surging.
Experts consider fourth COVID-19 vaccine
States and territories are considering reintroducing face mask mandates as experts eye expanding eligibility for a fourth dose COVID vaccination.
Calls to lower age limits for fourth doses
As Australia exceeds the 10,000 COVID-19 deaths mark, an infectious diseases expert has called for the fourth dose age limit to be lowered from 65 to 50.
Australia nears 10,000 COVID-19 deaths
The country will likely reach the grim milestone on Sunday amid renewed calls for vaccine boosters and possible mask mandates.
Health ministers meet as COVID cases rise
Health Minister Mark Butler says the government cannot continue to fund COVID-19 payments and urged people to get their boosters as soon as possible.
Emergency payments end before COVID surge
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says the government can't continue to fund COVID-19 payments and urged people to get their boosters as soon as possible.
TGA paves way for under-fives vaccine
The TGA has given approval for Pfizer to submit an application for extending the use of its COVID-19 vaccine to children under five years of age.
Push for students to keep vaccinating
Victorian pharmacy students and interns have been an asset through the pandemic and there are calls to allow them to keep bolstering the vaccination workforce.
Booster gives 65pc protection from death
An Australian study of COVID-19 vaccines has found people who have had a booster shot are far less likely to die or be hospitalised with the Omicron variant.
COVID-19 and Australia’s unlearnt lessons
A new book by a Sydney academic explores the similarities between Australia's response to the Bubonic Plague in 1900 and COVID-19.
Flu and COVID ‘double whammy’ on hospitals
Rising cases of COVID-19 and the flu are putting strain on the nation's hospitals as winter sets in, Australia's chief medical officer says.
Qld to dump most virus vaccine mandates
Queensland will scrap COVID-19 vaccine mandates for workers in schools, prisons and airports and for visitors to aged and disability care facilities.
COVID-19 reinfection drives booster calls
New COVID-19 variants have led to rising case numbers and hospitalisations from the virus, prompting fresh warnings from experts.
Australia joins pandemic preparedness fund
The Albanese government will provide money for a new global fund designed to help prevent future pandemics.
Opposition calls for flight mask scrapping
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia should end the requirement for all passengers on inbound international flights to wear a mask.
Minister urges aged care booster rate rise
Health Minister Mark Butler says he wants to see the fourth dose rate for COVID vaccines in aged care facilities increase.
Virus fight continues as funding extended
The prime minister and state and territory leaders have agreed on an extension of funding as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the health system.