Leslie Massey
As of May 2025, there have been over 12 million cases of COVID-19 in Australia. The new variant NB.1.8.1 is driving infections in the country, with genomic sequencing confirming its presence in all Australian states. While most people who contract COVID-19 will experience only mild illness, the virus still poses a risk to vulnerable individuals. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent and protect against the virus, with most Australians having received at least one dose. While no longer legally required, health experts recommend staying home and isolating when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Cases | 12,138,072 - 12,143,117 |
| Total Deaths | 7,340 |
| Vaccination Status | Most people have had at least one dose. Boosters are available for adults over 18 years of age. |
| Quarantine Rules | Quarantine or isolation is no longer required by law when contracting COVID-19, but it is recommended. |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 arrived in Australia in 2020
In the five years since COVID-19 first reached Australia, the country has made significant strides in understanding and managing the virus. While the initial outbreak posed a severe threat due to the population's lack of immunity, the situation has evolved. Now, almost all Australians have some level of immunity, either through vaccination or previous infection. This shift in immunity status has led to changes in public health guidelines, with quarantine and isolation no longer legally required for those with COVID-19. However, staying home and avoiding contact with others when symptomatic is still recommended to prevent the spread of the virus.
The evolution of COVID-19 symptoms over the years is another notable aspect of the pandemic in Australia. While loss of smell, or anosmia, was commonly associated with earlier variants like Ancestral, Gamma, and Delta, it is less frequently reported with newer variants like Omicron and JN.1. However, the core COVID-19 symptoms have generally remained consistent, and testing is still crucial, especially for those at high risk of severe disease. Symptoms typically last for 7-10 days in most cases, but they can persist for longer in more severe cases or unvaccinated individuals.
The availability of vaccines and boosters has played a pivotal role in Australia's response to the pandemic. Vaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19 tend to experience milder symptoms and recover faster. Boosters are recommended for adults, especially those over 65, to maintain protection against the virus. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation provides guidance on vaccine recommendations, and their advice is continually adapted to reflect the changing nature of the virus and our understanding of its impacts.
As Australia navigates the ongoing presence of COVID-19, public health experts continue to monitor the situation closely. While the country has made significant progress in managing the virus since its arrival in 2020, adapting to new variants and maintaining immunity through vaccination remain crucial. By staying informed, following public health recommendations, and prioritizing the well-being of vulnerable individuals, Australians can effectively contribute to the national and global efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.
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Over 12 million cases in Australia
As of 2025, Australia has had over 12 million cases of COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still circulating, and the new NB.1.8.1 variant is driving infections in the country. This variant may spread more easily and partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccinations. However, the WHO has not observed any evidence that it causes more severe disease than other variants.
The COVID-19 pandemic first arrived in Australia five years ago, and the situation has evolved since then. While vaccination and prior infections have provided immunity to almost the entire population, the virus continues to spread. Most people in Australia have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent and protect against the disease.
The NB.1.8.1 variant has been detected across Australia, ranging from less than 10% in South Australia to over 40% in Victoria as of early May 2025. Wastewater surveillance in Western Australia has also identified it as the dominant variant in Perth. This variant has mutations including T22N, F59S, G184S, A435S, V445H, and T478I. While the impact of these mutations is not yet fully understood, lab-based studies suggest that NB.1.8.1 may have a stronger binding affinity to human cells, potentially making it more infectious.
Despite the high case numbers, most people who get COVID-19 today will experience only mild illness. However, it still poses a risk to vulnerable individuals. It is recommended to stay home and avoid others when experiencing symptoms, and testing is particularly important for those at high risk of severe disease. While Australia no longer requires legal quarantine or isolation for COVID-19, public health experts advise taking precautions to avoid infecting others.
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New NB.1.8.1 variant driving infections
As of May 2025, there have been over 12 million recorded cases of COVID-19 in Australia. While COVID-19 vaccines have been effective in preventing symptomatic cases, the virus is still circulating. A new variant, NB.1.8.1, also known as "Nimbus", has emerged and is driving a growing number of infections globally.
The NB.1.8.1 variant was first detected in late January 2025 and has since spread across Europe, the Americas, and the Western Pacific, with cases reported in at least 22 countries as of May 18. In the United States, NB.1.8.1 accounted for an estimated 37% of COVID-19 cases as of June 7, up from 15% during the previous two-week period. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified NB.1.8.1 as a "variant under monitoring" due to its rapid global spread and spike protein mutations.
NB.1.8.1 is a descendant of the Omicron variant and possesses several mutations in its spike protein, which may increase its transmissibility and ability to evade COVID antibodies from infection or vaccination. However, there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness than other variants, and the global risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is considered low by the WHO. Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 appear similar to those associated with other Omicron variants, including cough, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, congestion, headache, nausea, vomiting, and loss of smell or taste.
The emergence of NB.1.8.1 has raised concerns about a possible surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly during the summer travel season. While COVID-19 test positivity rates remain low in the US, experts predict that cases driven by NB.1.8.1 will likely increase based on global trends. The mutated Omicron subvariant has already caused surges in China and other parts of Asia this spring, and cases are expected to continue rising in the US.
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COVID vaccines 66% effective against symptoms
As of 2025, COVID-19 still poses a risk to vulnerable people, with 58,000 cases reported in Australia so far this year. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still circulating, and while most people experience mild illness, some are at risk of severe illness and hospitalisation. Older people, those with immunocompromising conditions like cancer, and individuals with health issues such as diabetes are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent and protect against COVID-19. Data from Europe's latest winter season indicates that COVID-19 vaccines are 66% effective in preventing symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19 cases. This effectiveness rate underscores the value of vaccination in reducing the likelihood of experiencing symptoms from COVID-19 infection.
In Australia, most individuals have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is recommended for those over 18 who haven't yet received it, and boosters are available for adults in this age group. For those without underlying immune issues, a funded dose is offered every 12 months. Additionally, boosters are advised every 12 months for adults aged 65-74 and every six months for those over 75.
Vaccination not only reduces the risk of infection but also lessens the severity of symptoms and accelerates recovery. Unvaccinated individuals tend to experience more persistent symptoms, whereas vaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19 often have milder symptoms and recover faster. This may be attributed to vaccination preventing the over-activation of the innate immune response.
Furthermore, a review of numerous studies found that full vaccination before a SARS-CoV-2 infection reduced the risk of long COVID by 27% compared to those without vaccination. Hybrid immunity, achieved through a combination of natural infection and booster vaccination, can also help prevent large-scale COVID-19 waves.
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Most Australians have had at least one vaccine dose
As of May 2025, the new Covid variant NB.1.8.1 is driving infections in Australia. This variant may spread more easily and may bypass immunity from prior infections or vaccinations. However, the WHO has not observed any evidence that it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Genomic sequencing has confirmed that NB.1.8.1 is among the circulating strains in Australia and is generally increasing.
While COVID-19 vaccine dose statistics for Australia are only available until February 2022, by that time, a significant number of Australians had received at least one vaccine dose. In fact, the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Australia from February 21, 2021, to February 2, 2022, was substantial.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides important information about COVID-19 vaccines and recommendations for vaccination. It is generally preferable to use the same brand of COVID-19 vaccine for the primary course when multiple doses are recommended. The handbook also offers guidance on handling multi-dose vials, recommending that they be stored frozen at ultra-cold temperatures and, once thawed, stored in a fridge for a specified period before use.
Australia has also actively contributed to global COVID-19 vaccine distribution. In partnership with Vietnam's Ministry of Health, Australia shared over 22 million COVID-19 vaccine doses with Vietnam, including Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for both adult and paediatric vaccination programs. This contribution demonstrates Australia's commitment to supporting global efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, there have been over 12 million COVID-19 cases in Australia.
The latest variant in Australia is LP.8.1, a descendant of Omicron.
In 2021, Australia had recorded over 30,000 cases of COVID-19.
Most people in Australia have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Victoria State is Australia's COVID-19 hotspot, with a slight rise in cases reported in October 2020 and June 2021.
