Restrictions eased as COVID-19 tolls grow
Almost 42,000 new COVID-19 cases have been reported across Australia along with 44 virus-related deaths.
health
Brits eye best and brightest Aussie ambos
London Ambulance Service has launched a fresh recruitment drive, targeting Australian paramedic graduates at a time of local frontline shortages.
SA moves on virus isolation rules
South Australia will drop the requirement for close contacts of COVID-19 cases to isolate for seven days from April 30.
Australian aged care world ‘standard’: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has committed to funding 24/7 nurses in aged care facilities by 2025, and says Australia's standard of care is envied globally.
WA premier tests positive to COVID-19
Western Australia's premier has become the latest political leader to test positive to COVID-19, days after a family member contracted the virus.
NSW, Vic prepare to drop home isolation
Victoria and NSW are ending close contact isolation and Queensland is easing its quarantine rules as the eastern states record over 42,000 new COVID-19 cases.
Qld close contact rules could be relaxed
Queensland is considering relaxing COVID-19 close contact isolation rules to bring the state into line with NSW and Victoria.
Vic scraps vax economy, relaxes iso rules
Victoria will relax a raft of COVID-19 rules, including scrapping compulsory seven-day isolation for close contacts and its controversial "vaccinated economy".
Labor attacks coalition aged care handling
Labor has gone in to bat for thousands of aged care workers planning to go on strike during the final weeks of the election campaign.
Calls to ease COVID-19 isolation rules
Business groups say it's time to scrap the seven-day isolation period for household contacts of people with COVID-19, which they blame for staff shortages.
Latest snapshot of coronavirus impact
The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations in Australia at 1600 AEST on Thursday, April 14.
Queensland lifts vax, check-in mandates
Unvaccinated Queenslanders can return to many venues after changes to mandates officially came into effect.
WA past Omicron peak, national cases rise
COVID-19 restrictions are easing in Western Australia as other states and territories grapple with rising case numbers.
Tasmania in no rush to allow cruise ships
The Tasmanian government has indicated it is in no hurry to welcome back international cruise ships, despite the imminent end of a federal ban on the vessels.
Queensland Health under pressure from new Omicron wave of COVID-19
Queensland's acting premier Steve Miles says the state has one of the world's best health systems but admits it is under pressure amid COVID-19.
Federal minister positive for COVID-19
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews is in isolation after contracting COVID-19, a day after her Labor counterpart Kristina Keneally also tested positive.
Triple zero calls spike in Qld virus wave
Queensland has recorded a huge spike in demand for ambulances as a second Omicron wave puts thousands of health workers in quarantine and isolation.
Vic child mask mandate could be scrapped
Victorian children returning to school in term 2 may not have to wear masks, after the state government announced new COVID-19 travel measures.
Senior federal ALP MP contracts COVID-19
The Labor candidate for the NSW lower house seat of Fowler in Sydney's southwest, Kristina Keneally, is going into isolation after contracting COVID-19.
Aust on track to eliminate cervical cancer
Australia could become the first country to eliminate cervical cancer, thanks in part to the national screening program for human papillomavirus.
‘Telephone’ voting for COVID-19 iso cases
A telephone voting system is set to be rolled out for the 2022 federal election, allowing those in COVID-19 isolation on polling day to cast their ballot.
Bacteria turning UTIs into killers
A growing number of bacteria are developing a resistance to the drugs designed to kill them and turning simple infections into potential killers.
Free RATs for Victorians with a disability
Victorians with a disability will be eligible to receive free rapid antigen tests as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the state.
Changing climate is creating a looming health crisis: health academy
Climate change is also an urgent health crisis, health and medical researchers warn as the federal government commits $10 million for modelling the impacts.
Qld ditches vaccine rules at pubs, cafes
Rules barring unvaccinated patrons from public venues including pubs, cafes and restaurants will be ditched in Queensland from April 14.
NSW defends pay ahead of health strike
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has shot down any discussion of a pay increase ahead of a planned health worker strike
Virus cases rise as booster rollout begins
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Australia has climbed above the 500,000 mark for the first time since late-January as a second booster rollout begins.
Labor aims to stop home care fee rorts
A Labor government will put a cap on the administration and management fees of home care providers, as it continues its focus on the aged care sector.
Harder to age well without comforts: study
New research suggests an inexorable link between the cost of household energy and the ability of Australians to age comfortably in their own homes.
Qld warns elective surgeries could be cut
Some Queensland hospitals are considering suspending elective surgeries with the state dealing with 59,300 active COVID-19 cases.
Qld quarantine hotels cost $500,000 a day
Contractual obligations and regional provision have pushed Queensland to a $27 million spend on hotel quarantine since opening its Wellcamp facility in February