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.
virus diseases
School return to test NSW COVID-19 prep
Thousands of public school children returning to class are set to test the NSW government's COVID-19 preparations for the new school year.
Vic COVID cases to climb as schools return
Virus numbers will increase as a million Victorian school students and staff return to school and begin weekly testing, the state's health minister warns.
$500 voucher for families’ daily juggle
Parents will get access to $500 vouchers to be spent on out-of-school care, as COVID-19 fatalities fall to 27 from a record 52.
Qld has three virus deaths, 7462 new cases
Queensland authorities are urging parents to get children vaccinated ahead of school returning as the state records three COVID-19 deaths and 7462 new cases
Qld govt plan unclear on boarding schools
Queensland boarding schools want more information about how COVID-19 cases and contacts will be managed as they wait for rapid antigen tests to arrive.
27 NSW virus deaths, $500 voucher for kids
There are 13,026 positive COVID-19 cases and 27 more deaths in NSW as Premier Dominic Perrottet prepares to announce a $500 voucher for primary school children.
Victoria posts 10,053 cases, eight deaths
Victoria has recorded 10,053 new COVID-19 cases and eight virus-related deaths, as state school students return for Term 1.
NSW parents to get $500 for primary kids
As NSW children head back to school the government is poised to announce a $500 subsidy for parents to put towards out-of-school care costs.
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.
Anxiety high ahead of return to school
Parents and students approaching the return to school as COVID-19 case numbers soar are feeling increased anxiety about what the year will bring.
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.
Another 12 COVID-19 deaths in Queensland
Another 12 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland, with the state recording 10,391 new cases and hospitalisations expected to continue falling.
Tasmania records 683 new COVID-19 cases
Tasmania has reported 683 new COVID-19 infections, with 17 people now in hospital.
Vic posts 12,250 COVID cases, 31 deaths
Another 12,250 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Victoria and 31 people have died with the virus, as hospitalisations and active cases fall.
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.
Australia records deadliest pandemic day
There were 98 COVID-19 deaths across the country on Friday, a new one-day record since the pandemic began.
Qld records 18 virus deaths, 9974 cases
Queensland has recorded another 18 deaths and 9974 COVID-19 cases, on the two-year anniversary of the state's first virus case.
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.
Home-schooling was stress hell for parents
Parents who home-schooled their kids during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of stress juggling work and life while in lockdown.
Vic posts 12,755 COVID cases, 39 deaths
Victoria has recorded 12,755 new COVID-19 cases and 39 deaths, the highest daily death toll of the latest outbreak.
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.
No change to full vaccination definition
Australia's immunisation advisory group is still considering whether to change the definition of full vaccination to cover three COVID-19 doses.
Qld has 15 COVID-19 deaths, 11,600 cases
Another 15 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 11,600 new virus cases.
Three dose vaccination definition on cards
National cabinet is expected to finalise a new meaning of "fully vaccinated" on Thursday, with three doses to become the standard.
Europe weighs up Australia travel freedoms
There is the potential for Australia to be restored to a European safe travel list as infection rates in the country continue to fall.
Leaders to get COVID health capacity brief
Federal, state and territory leaders will get an update on the capacity of Australia's health system amid the ongoing Omicron wave.
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.
Vic records 13,507 COVID cases, 35 deaths
Victoria has posted 13,507 new COVID-19 cases and 35 deaths - the highest toll since 2020's second wave.
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.