Testing requirements relaxed for arrivals
The requirement to receive a negative PCR test within three days of flying to Australia has been scrapped, with a rapid antigen test to be accepted from Sunday.
health
International arrivals to use RATs
Travellers entering Australia from overseas will be able to show a negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours of the departure time to gain entry.
Kids anxious about climate change threat
Australian children and teens are dealing with rising anxiety about climate change but adults can ease the mental burden, a new paper suggests.
Two COVID deaths in ACT, 826 new cases
The death toll from the pandemic in the ACT has risen to 22, with two new COVID-19 fatalities reported in the latest period, as new infections remain stable.
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.
First virus death in Tas since reopening
Tasmania has recorded its first coronavirus-related death, a 90 year old unvaccinated woman, since reopening its border, as it posted 866 new virus infections.
Victoria has 18,167 virus cases, 20 deaths
Victoria has posted 18,167 new COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths, as eight state-run vaccine hubs embark on a four-day booster blitz.
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.
States to announce specific school plans
States and territories have largely decided to go their own way on return to school plans, only agreeing to six broad principles through national cabinet.
WA premier flags major COVID announcement
Western Australia's premier has flagged an important announcement as COVID-19 continues to spread through the state ahead of the February 5 border reopening.
New COVID vax, treatments get green light
Australia will get a fourth type of COVID-19 vaccine, as two oral treatments for the virus were also granted approval by the medical regulator.
NSW reports 25 deaths, fewer in hospital
NSW has reported a small drop in COVID-19 hospitalisations, 25 deaths and 30,825 cases as the state increases its order of RATs to 150 million.
NSW school parents urged to get boosters
NSW remains committed to getting children back in classrooms on the first day of term while parents are advised to get booster shots as eligibility changes.
Leaders to discuss safe school start
National cabinet is meeting to discuss a safe start to schools, while leaders will be updated on the vaccine rollout, health system and epidemiology.
NSW opens booster door to 1.8m more adults
Millions of residents in NSW became eligible for boosters of the COVID-19 vaccine after the government slashed the time between doses.
No need for daily workplace rapid test: PM
Scott Morrison has urged businesses not to enforce rules requiring employees to return daily negative rapid tests, saying it would further hit supplies.
Canberra records 1467 new COVID-19 cases
The number of COVID-19 patients in ACT hospitals has started to decrease slightly, as the territory records another 1467 new cases.
Incentives for more students, backpackers
Visa application fees for backpackers and international students will be covered by the federal government in an attempt to address the workforce crisis.
Vic reduces vaccine booster dose interval
Victoria has reduced the wait between second COVID-19 vaccine and booster to three months.
Omicron-related deaths ‘are yet to peak’
While COVID-19 cases may have started to flatline, the chief medical officer has warned deaths from the Omicron variant have yet to reach their high point.
NSW reports 32 deaths, 32,000 virus cases
NSW has reported 32 deaths and 32,297 new COVID-19 cases, as the government says it's confident enough RATs will be supplied to the state's 3000 schools.
Winter wave warning for COVID-19
Australia's chief medical officer has warned of another spike in COVID-19 cases over winter as the country hovers near the peak of the current wave.
Qld concern over slowing COVID vaccination
Slowing vaccination rates among a key age group are concerning authorities in Queensland where 16 new deaths were recorded in people with COVID-19.
Qld health minister blasts PM over RAT ad
The Queensland health minister says it is "absolutely appalling" that federal government ads are spruiking free rapid antigen tests at state clinics.
Tas drops rules for vaccinated travellers
Fully vaccinated people entering Tasmania will no longer need to have a rapid antigen test before arriving, or register their travel.
Qld reports 16 virus deaths, 15,962 cases
Another 16 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 15,962 new cases, with authorities urging people to get booster vaccinations.
NSW reports 36 deaths, nearly 30,000 cases
Premier Dominic Perrottet says people have to get on with life as the NSW records its deadliest day of the pandemic, with 36 deaths reported and 29,830 cases.
Anger at COVID support cuts as peak nears
The Australian Council of Social Service has expressed dismay at the federal government's decision to taper support payments as COVID cases continue to rage.
SA abattoir defends handling of virus
The operators of an abattoir in SA's southeast have defended their handling of a coronavirus outbreak that spread from the local community to the facility.
Debate rages over Omicron peak evidence
Health authorities in several states say the peak of the Omicron wave of COVID-19 is nearing, as numbers plateau across the country.
SA’s 3829 new cases as outbreak stabilises
South Australia has reported 3829 new COVID-19 infections as signs continue that the state's Omicron outbreak is stabilising.