Qld students to get free period products
The Queensland government will fund free period product dispensers for students in state high schools in this month's budget.
health
NSW wage boost ‘insult to injury’: unions
Nurses, teachers and other public servants will get a three per cent pay rise in the NSW budget, but workers are still planning further industrial action.
ATO says COVID tests could be a deduction
Taxpayers who took COVID-19 tests for work will be able to claim the cost on their tax return.
Vic winding down COVID-19 response team
Victoria is winding down its COVID-specific bureaucracy, shifting to more localised pandemic management amid another tough winter for the health system.
Vaccine tech to help combat next pandemic
New mRNA vaccine technology could be used to combat any emerging diseases in Australia, virus experts say.
Evidence building on COVID-19 antivirals
Antiviral drugs designed to reduce the severity of COVID-19 have been approved in Australia and ongoing research suggests they could save lives.
Tasmania targets record-high flu jabs
Health authorities in Tasmania want a record number of people to get vaccinated against influenza amid a spike in infections.
Kidney injury hidden in COVID-19 patients
Queensland researchers say the number of hospitalised COVID-19 patients who have a potentially-fatal acute kidney disease may be double the official rate.
Lasers could help treat bowel disease pain
Queensland researchers are trialling lasers as a non-invasive treatment for pain suffered by young people diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease.
Media ‘partially stoked bad COVID-19 info’
An Australian study has documented the spread of misinformation linked to COVID-19 vaccines, laying the blame partly at the feet of "egregious" media reporting.
Top cop in court over Qld jab challenge
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has appeared in the Supreme Court over a challenge against mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for the state's officers.
Palaszczuk defends the 1000-bed quarantine centre housing just seven people
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended the Wellcamp quarantine facility amid reports seven people are staying at the $49 million camp.
Hospitalisations up as virus lockdowns end
The end of restrictions brought in to protect health systems from COVID-19 has led to an increase in hospitalisations, according to government data.
‘Enough’ vaccines for free Vic flu program
Victoria will roll out a month-long free flu vaccine program in GPs and pharmacies this winter, with authorities confident there is enough stock to go around.
Flu prompts urgent appeal for blood donors
A flourishing flu season has led to a plummet in blood supplies across the country, with Australians being urged to roll up their sleeves and make a donation.
Qld plans tougher smoking, tobacco laws
A proposed crackdown on tobacco in Queensland could lead to a smoking ban at outdoor markets and the licensing of vape sales.
Virus vax mandate challenged in Qld court
A legal challenge to Queensland's requirement for police and health workers to have COVID-19 vaccinations has begun in a Brisbane court.
Free flu jabs for WA, SA residents in June
Free influenza vaccines will be handed out to West Australian and South Australian residents in June.
Virus deaths again on the rise across Aust
Australia has reported almost 28,000 new COVID-19 cases and 30 virus-related deaths after recording 58 fatalities on Saturday.
‘Vigilance vital’ as COVID-19 deaths rise
Australia has reported more than 360 deaths from COVID-19 in the past seven days, 88 of them at the weekend, with the country's caseload exceeding 300,000.
Victorians set to get free flu vaccination
Victoria is expected to follow many other states in offering all residents free flu vaccinations to combat high numbers of infections over winter.
NSW government not listening: Paramedics
Paramedics in NSW say the state government has not listened to what is needed in their sector and their staff are suffering from "mass burnout".
Qld doctors seek Medicare, health reforms
The Australian Medical Association Queensland has called for increased Medicare rebates and a national summit to restructure the nation's health care systems.
Fears pandemic education fallout not over
One in two Australian parents and carers feel the COVID-19 pandemic is still making learning difficult for their children, research shows.
Qld MP reveals harrowing sexual abuse
Queensland Labor MP Melissa McMahon has revealed confronting details of her own childhood abuse, saying she was first raped at the age of five.
Almost half Qld ambulance patients ramped
Almost half of all Queensland patients were ramped in ambulances for more than 30 minutes in the March quarter.
NSW considers free flu shots as cases rise
NSW hospitals are under intense pressure amid the early arrival of a potentially severe flu season during a pandemic as the state looks to lift vaccine uptake.
Greens call for free flu jabs in SA
The Greens have called on South Australia to follow Queensland's lead in making the flu vaccine free for everyone this winter.
Qld govt reluctant to set up flu jab hubs
The Queensland government has ruled out setting up hubs to administer free flu vaccines for now amid concerns about a lack of supply at GP clinics.
Monkeypox outbreak ‘containable’: WHO
While the monkeypox outbreak is unusual, it remains "containable" and limited, the WHO says, and it is convening further meetings.
Qld Government makes flu jabs free amid rise in cases
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced free flu jabs across the state amid a rise in cases in 2022.