Health

Western Australia's hard border to NSW is set to remain for at least another two months with a coronavirus outbreak in Sydney no closer to being controlled.

Scott Morrison says cautious decisions from medical experts have slowed Australia's coronavirus vaccine rollout but has backed their independence.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has downplayed his role in securing faster Pfizer shipments for Australia.

The federal minister responsible for disability workers remains committed to making coronavirus vaccines compulsory for the sector.

HBF will offer paid wellness leave for its 1,000-plus staff members to encourage them to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Western Australia is threatening to tighten restrictions for coronavirus-plagued NSW even further, including potentially reducing compassionate exemptions.

The state government has announced a $41.5 million support package for the thousands of small businesses affected by last week's four-day lockdown.

Australia will soon have access to up to one million doses of Pfizer vaccines per week, with supplies of the jab set to arrive earlier than planned.

The state's health department has launched a review of protocols at all major regional hospitals, as Mark McGowan urges New South Wales to get its COVID-19 outbreak under control.

A local company hoping to roll out mass screening COVID-19 tests in airports has been picked for a $3 million federal manufacturing grant.

Australia's health minister has raised hopes of receiving bigger than expected shipments of Pfizer coronavirus vaccines next month.

Australia is sending Indonesia oxygen, ventilators and testing kits as the country responds to a surge in coronavirus cases.

Disability support workers will soon be forced to get vaccinated against coronavirus if they want to keep their jobs.

A staff member at Geraldton Hospital is in quarantine after entering a lift that had been used by a coronavirus-infected ship crewman.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has rejected claims the Morrison government dragged its feet on involving big business in the coronavirus vaccine rollout.

WA has recorded no new local cases of COVID-19, as the state government announced its intention to reopen the border to Victoria from Friday.

The military commander in charge of Australia's coronavirus vaccine rollout insists aged care workers remain a priority.

Australians aged under 40 could receive access to Pfizer coronavirus vaccines as early as September when the rollout is slated to ramp up.

Western Australia is edging closer towards a return to pre-lockdown life despite concerns over the arrival of another coronavirus-infected ship.

Tasmania has reopened its border to travellers from areas in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Restrictions imposed following last week's lockdown are expected to be further eased from midnight, as the government grapples with an evolving situation involving a ship off Geraldton.

Premier Mark McGowan has announced that the lockdown will be lifted from midnight tonight, despite the state recording one new local case overnight.

The site selection process for a purpose-built quarantine facility near Perth Airport is expected to begin tomorrow, Premier Mark McGowan has confirmed.

The cap on international travellers coming into Australia looks set to be slashed as the country deals with widespread outbreaks of coronavirus.

Western Australia has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight, as those in the Perth and Peel regions enter the third day of the four-day circuit-breaker lockdown.

Australians have been urged to take coronavirus vaccine advice from doctors rather than bickering politicians.

Western Australia has recorded one new community case of COVID-19 overnight, a 37-year-old man who attended the same Joondalup gym as the first two cases.

Indigenous people and tourists intent on travelling into remote communities are being urged to get vaccinated.

Doctors are urging people aged under 60 to wait for the Pfizer vaccine, despite a surprise announcement from the prime minister that any adult who wants the AstraZeneca jab can have it.

The state government has tasked Treasury with assessing potential compensation for small businesses affected by the latest snap four-day lockdown.

Western Australia has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight, as those in the Perth and Peel regions enter their first day of the four-day circuit-breaker lockdown.

Doctors have been blindsided by a major change to the vaccine rollout, with all Australians aged under 40 now able to request the AstraZeneca jab from their GP.