Vaccine protesters admitted to parliament
Federal MP Craig Kelly has allowed a small group of anti-vaccination protesters inside Parliament House as demonstrations continue outside.
epidemic and plague
Aged care minister bucks calls to resign
Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck has defended the federal government's handling of the COVID-19 response in the sector.
Defence force to help aged care sector
Members of the Australian Defence Force will be deployed to help assist aged care facilities as they deal with COVID-19 surges.
Overseas tourists to return on February 21
Australia's ban on international tourists will end on February 21 after a decision by the federal government, with double vaccination required for entry.
Australia reaches 95pct vaccination target
Some 95 per cent of Australians have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with the country now boasting one of the world's highest jab rates.
Military not aged care silver bullet: PM
The prime minister says he's spoken to his health and defence ministers and defence chiefs about how to deal with aged care staff shortages.
NSW worker mandate call amid slow boosters
NSW has recorded 12,632 new COVID-19 cases and 38 deaths as Labor pushes for booster mandates.
Thousands of teens eligible for boosters
More people will now be able to receive COVID-19 boosters, with 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for the third dose ahead of a predicted winter surge in cases.
Three in four COVID deaths had health risk
A Senate hearing into COVID-19 has been told nearly three-quarters of people who died from the virus had an underlying health condition.
NSW govt urged to dump ‘silly’ COVID bill
A NSW government plan to remove the presumption that COVID-positive workers in certain industries caught the virus at work will undermine workers, Labor says.
Rapid tests spark consumer watchdog probe
Retailers charging excessive prices for rapid tests have been sent a warning that if they don't slim their margins they could end up in court.
Rapid test concern as schools return
As school students return for the start of the year, a new survey has shown nearly one in three parents won't follow rapid testing requirements.
Another deadly day as NSW provides support
The death toll stemming from the Omicron variant continues to grow, as NSW provided a new $1 billion business support package.
PM issues Kanye West vaccination warning
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says US rap star Kanye West will need to be fully vaccinated if he wants to go ahead with his Australian stadium tour.
New virus death toll high within 24 hours
Australia has again recorded its highest daily death toll of the pandemic, with 97 fatalities so far.
Teens set for boosters as schools return
Australian children aged 16 and 17 could become eligible to receive COVID-19 booster shots as early as this coming week as schools go back.
International tourists back by Easter: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said international tourists could be allowed to return to Australia before Easter, once Omicron cases drop.
One in three COVID-19 deaths in aged care
More than 400 of the 1160 COVID-19 deaths in Australia this year have occurred in aged care, with four states reporting more than 50 fatalities.
COVID-19 boosters approved for teenagers
The medical regulator has granted provisional approval for the Pfizer vaccine to be used as a COVID-19 booster for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Better Indigenous COVID jab data demanded
Indigenous COVID-19 jab rates continue to lag significantly behind Australia's whole of population coverage as Labor demands more transparent data.
Peaked or not, vaccination a must
While states are eager to declare they have reached their Omicron peak, the World Health Organisation says vaccination remains the number one priority.
Vaccines crucial despite potential peak
The World Health Organisation says whether or not Australia's Omicron outbreak has peaked, vaccine rates must continue to rise to prevent further transmission.
Shorten wants QLD kids to get the COVID jab at school
Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten has called for the federal government to run an in-school vaccination program as kids prepare to return to the classroom.
Australia reaches two-year pandemic mark
Australia has marked two years since its first confirmed case of COVID-19 amid optimism Omicron outbreaks have peaked across several states.
Pandemic draws out elective surgery wait
Australians waited longer for elective surgeries last year as hospitals worked to clear a backlog from suspensions of those procedures during the pandemic.
Novavax shot available from late February
Australia's newest COVID-19 vaccine Novavax will be distributed from February 21 after being ticked off by ATAGI.
Hanson calls for pandemic royal commission
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for a royal commission into the COVID-19 pandemic, after this year's federal election.
Qld cuts COVID-19 booster waiting time
Another 13 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland and the state has 16,031 new cases, as the waiting time for a third vaccine jab is cut to three months.
NSW deadliest day as toll hits 1000 deaths
NSW has recorded 25,168 new COVID-19 cases and 46 deaths as a leading epidemiologist warns the number dying each day won't begin to fall for some time.
Taskforce to examine RAT price gouging
The AFP has launched a specialist taskforce to crack down on reports rapid antigen tests are being sold at heavily inflated prices.
Police investigate COVID-19 test fraud
The Therapeutic Goods Administration says police are looking into companies making false claims about COVID-19 testing kit approvals.