Virus deaths spike, children jabs begin
The daily death toll from COVID-19 has spiked to 20, with NSW reporting 16, its highest number since the pandemic began.
politics
Omicron peak still ‘weeks away’, AMA warns
The Australian Medical Association says the nation's healthcare system needs extra support as COVID-19 cases surge towards a peak that is still weeks away.
Djokovic had COVID-19, court papers reveal
World No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic contracted COVID-19 ahead of his trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open, court documents show.
Josh Frydenberg tests positive for COVID
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating with his family.
Restrictions return after Omicron surge
As Australia recorded another one-day high for daily COVID cases, multiple jurisdictions have reintroduced pandemic restrictions to halt Omicron's spread.
Qld records almost 11,000 new COVID cases
Queensland has recorded 10,953 new COVID-19 cases as the state considers delaying the return of primary school students to class.
Omicron surge leads to restrictions return
States have implemented a return to some COVID-19 restrictions as case numbers linked to the Omicron variant surge across the country.
Federal govt defends Djokovic detention
The Home Affairs Minister says Novak Djokovic, who faces deportation unless his legal challenge is successful, fell foul of COVID-19 entry requirements.
PM ushers Australians to support payment
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has encouraged people to access pandemic support payments if they are forced to isolate due to local health orders.
Russia sends troops to Kazakhstan
Russian paratroops have been sent into Kazakhstan to help quell unrest in the central Asian country.
PM points to state responsibility for RATs
Scott Morrison has defended the government's supply of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests amid criticisms of under-preparation as the tests become harder to secure.
Allies rally to help quell Kazakh unrest
Peacekeeping forces from a Russia-led alliance of former Soviet states will head to Kazakhstan to damp down deadly protests sparked by a rise in fuel prices.
Australia, Japan solemnise security pact
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have signed a "historic" treaty that has already drawn comment from Beijing.
PM rejects he underprepared for RAT race
Scott Morrison has defended the government's supply of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests amid criticisms of under-preparation as the tests become harder to secure.
Novak Djokovic not above border rules: PM
Scott Morrison has declared Novak Djovokic was not above the rules, after the Australian Border Force cancelled the tennis star's visa to enter the country.
Government cancels Novak Djokovic’s visa
The federal government has cancelled the visa of tennis Serbian star Novak Djokovic just days out from the Australian Open.
Experts sound alarm on testing changes
Medical experts have warned surveillance of COVID-19 case numbers could be incomplete following PCR test requirement changes.
Kazakh leader says he’ll stay amid unrest
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev says he has taken over as head of the country's Security Council, removing Nursultan Nazarbayev from the role.
Kazakh govt resigns, protests continue
A state of emergency has been declared in Kazakhstan's biggest city Almaty after protesters angry over fuel price hikes stormed government buildings.
Key role for Rapid tests as virus surges
Greater use of rapid antigen tests, including free tests to be provided to concessional card holders, will help relieve pressure on COVID-19 testing centres.
Rapid antigen tests to be free for some
Rapid antigen tests will be provided free to more than six million Australians who are concessional card holders, after the national cabinet meeting.
WA detects five new local COVID-19 cases
Western Australia has recorded five new local COVID-19 cases as a Hyatt Hotel quarantine worker tests positive for the virus.
PM criticised for being behind in RAT race
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has resisted calls to make rapid antigen tests free, saying it's not a silver bullet to deal with the challenges posed by Omicron.
Alleged parliament arsonist gag order ends
The suppression order on alleged Old Parliament House arsonist Nicholas Reed has been lifted after he reappeared in the ACT Magistrates Court for a bail breach.
PM rules out free RATs despite pressure
Scott Morrison has said making rapid antigen tests free would not be a silver bullet to deal with the challenges of the Omicron variant.
PM to take RAT plan to national cabinet
National cabinet is expected to discuss the supply and distribution of rapid antigen tests when leaders meet, as COVID-19 cases rise across the country.
National cabinet to focus on rapid tests
National cabinet is expected to discuss the supply and distribution of rapid antigen tests when leaders meet as COVID-19 cases across the country surge.
WA has new case, likely linked to cluster
A Perth bar worker has tested positive for COVID-19, with WA health authorities believing the case is linked to the Delta variant backpacker outbreak.
WA records 14 COVID cases among travellers
Western Australia has recorded 14 new COVID-19 cases as the state's hard border leaks infected travellers, but all are quarantined.
Boosters critical as infections surge
With NSW and Victoria again recording a one-day high for daily COVID-19 infections, Australia has passed the grim pandemic milestone of 500,000 cases.
Labor to shut shipping abuse ‘loopholes’
An elected Labor government would move to develop an "independent, strategic" shipping fleet to better protect Australian imports and economic security.