Lexi Webster
The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia was a part of the worldwide pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first confirmed case in Australia was identified on 25 January 2020, in Victoria, when a man who had returned from Wuhan, China, tested positive. By early April 2020, more than 260,000 coronavirus tests had been carried out across the country, with over 5,100 confirmed cases and 24 deaths. This equated to more than 1% of the population being tested, which was considered a world-leading rate at the time. Australia's response to the pandemic included implementing travel restrictions, requiring self-isolation for travellers and returnees, and closing borders to non-residents and non-citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd April 2020 |
| Total tests conducted | 268,554 |
| Percentage of the population tested | More than 1% |
| Number of confirmed cases | More than 5,100 |
| Death toll | 24 |
| State with the most confirmed cases | New South Wales |
| State with the most deaths | New South Wales |
| Criteria for testing | Returned from overseas/cruise ship in the past 14 days and developed respiratory illness, with or without fever; been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days and developed respiratory illness, with or without fever; severe community-acquired pneumonia with no clear cause; fever or acute respiratory infection and work in healthcare/aged care/residential care sectors; spent time in a location defined by a state or territory as having elevated risk of community transmission; spent time at a high-risk location with linked cases of COVID-19 |
| Testing methods | Swab down the back of the throat; finger-prick test |
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Testing criteria
As of April 2020, more than 260,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out across Australia, equating to more than 1% of the population. This testing rate was considered a world-leading mark at the time.
- You should get tested if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, especially if you are at high risk of severe disease or may benefit from early COVID-19 treatments.
- If you have a fever or flu-like symptoms and live in certain parts of Sydney and regional NSW, you can get tested due to concerns about clusters in those areas. These areas include Waverley, Woollahra, Randwick, Dee Why, Manly, Ryde, Blacktown, Penrith, Liverpool, Westmead, Cumberland, Macquarie Park, and Sydney's Inner West.
- In regional NSW, testing is also recommended for those with a fever or respiratory illness living in high-risk locations, such as aged care facilities or boarding houses.
- The Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, announced that testing would be conducted in hotspots on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Cairns after several cases with unknown sources of transmission. The state's other testing criteria include people with a fever or respiratory illness living in high-risk locations, aged care or healthcare workers, and those who identify as Aboriginal in a regional or remote community.
- Western Australia offers testing to any member of the general public presenting with a fever and an acute respiratory infection at a COVID-19 clinic. High-risk workers with either of these conditions can also be tested, as can anyone in a high-risk setting, such as an aged care facility or detention centre, where two or more people exhibit either symptom.
- The ACT has implemented random testing at Weston Creek and a drive-through testing clinic at Epic (Exhibition Park in Canberra).
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms and are at higher risk of severe disease but test negative using a rapid antigen self-test (RAT), it is recommended that you see your doctor for further testing.
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Testing kits
As of April 2020, more than 260,000 coronavirus tests had been carried out across Australia, with over 1 per cent of the population being tested. This equated to more than 10,000 tests per day and was described by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as a "world-leading rate".
However, there were concerns about the supply of testing kits keeping up with demand. The Australian government approved the use of two new test kits developed by the US company Roche. The new testing tool was expected to begin arriving in Australia on 25 March 2020, with 100,000 new test kits being injected into Australian laboratories.
In addition to the Roche test kits, Australia was also set to receive a shipment of 1.5 million "finger-prick" or "point-of-care" testing kits. These kits were particularly useful for health workers and could provide rapid results. The criteria for who could get tested were expanded following the arrival of these new kits.
COVID-19 self-test kits are also available for at-home use, providing quick and reliable results when used correctly. These self-tests are often accepted by workplaces and event venues.
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Quarantine measures
As of April 2020, more than 260,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out across Australia, which equates to more than 1% of the population.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Australia implemented strict biosecurity measures, including the use of quarantine. The country's COVID-19 Public Health approach was based on containment, as there was no effective vaccination available at the time.
Australia's Minister for Health issued quarantine orders after consulting with state health officials and the director of biosecurity. In February 2020, more than 200 Australian nationals were quarantined on remote Christmas Island for 14 days before being allowed to return home. Similarly, all travellers returning to New South Wales (NSW) by air or sea were required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in Special Health Accommodation (SHA). From 29 March to 29 April 2020, 373 returning travellers were admitted to the SHA from Sydney Airport.
The SHA was established with a comprehensive governance structure, including remote clinical management through the Royal Prince Alfred Virtual Hospital and on-site management by healthcare workers, NSW Police, and accommodation staff. Travellers quarantined in the SHA were considered virtual patients, with their care managed by health professionals. Strict physical separation of patient cohorts and stringent infection control protocols were in place, with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used for all staff and patient encounters.
In addition to quarantine measures, Australia implemented other public health measures such as early and increased case detection through testing, contact tracing, social distancing, and the prohibition of gatherings. These measures aimed to reduce person-to-person transmission and prevent the overwhelming of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and the broader hospital system.
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Infection rates
Australia's COVID-19 infection and death rates have fluctuated since the first confirmed case was identified on 25 January 2020. By early April 2020, more than 260,000 coronavirus tests had been carried out across the country, with over 5,100 confirmed cases and 24 deaths. This meant that more than 1% of the population had been tested, which was a world-leading rate at the time.
The country's response to the pandemic included implementing border controls and travel restrictions. In February 2020, Australia banned the entry of foreign nationals who had been in mainland China, and its citizens returning from China were required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Similar bans were later imposed on travellers from Iran, South Korea, and Italy. From mid-March 2020, all travellers arriving in or returning to Australia had to self-isolate for two weeks, and cruise ships were barred from docking for 30 days. On 20 March, Australia closed its borders to non-residents and non-citizens, and returning residents had to undergo supervised quarantine.
These measures, along with a decline in tourism due to the bushfire season, likely contributed to Australia's initial success in managing the pandemic. By late March 2020, the daily increase in infections had dropped to single digits, indicating that the country was "flattening the curve." However, the pandemic continued to pose challenges, with Victoria experiencing a second wave in 2020 that had the highest fatality rate per case.
As of 6 August 2022, Australia has reported over 11,350,000 cases and 19,265 deaths. While the country transitioned to weekly reporting and scaled back testing in September 2021, the high levels of 'hybrid immunity' and low case numbers allowed all Australian leaders to declare the emergency response finished on 30 September 2021.
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Death toll
As of March 2025, there have been a total of 475 COVID-19 deaths in Australia that year, certified by doctors. This is a decrease of 50.2% from 2024 and 60.5% from 2023. Specifically, in March 2025, there were 106 COVID-19 deaths certified by doctors, 58.4% lower than in 2024 and 59.1% lower than in 2023.
The actual death toll from COVID-19 is likely to be higher than the number of confirmed deaths due to limited testing and challenges in attributing the cause of death. The number of tests reported varies between countries, with some reporting the number of people tested and others the number of tests, which can be higher if the same person is tested multiple times.
In March 2025, there were 32 deaths where COVID-19 was listed on the death certificate as a contributing factor but not the underlying cause. Deaths due to respiratory diseases in March 2025 were 3.9% higher than in 2024 and 5.7% higher than in 2023. There were 44 deaths from influenza in March 2025, compared to 18 in 2024 and 11 in 2023.
When comparing death counts between countries, it is insightful to consider the number of deaths per million people in each country's population, as more populous countries tend to have higher death counts.
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Frequently asked questions
As of April 2, 2020, more than 260,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out across Australia, with more than 1% of the population being tested.
The criteria for testing included:
- Having returned from overseas in the past 14 days or having been on a cruise ship and developing a respiratory illness, with or without a fever.
- Having been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days and developing a respiratory illness, with or without a fever.
- Having severe community-acquired pneumonia with no clear cause.
- Having a fever or acute respiratory infection and working in healthcare, aged/residential care, or having spent time in a high-risk location.
The main test used was the "long swab" test, where a swab is put down the back of a person's throat. This was considered the best early-detection test. Australia also received 1.5 million "finger-prick" or "point-of-care" testing kits, which provided rapid results.
Australia was reported to have one of the world's highest rates of testing per capita. By April 2, 2020, Australia had conducted more than 1% of its population, which Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed was a world-leading rate.
Testing criteria and availability evolved over time. In late March 2020, Australia expanded its testing criteria with the arrival of new testing kits. Testing was later scaled back in Victoria and New South Wales in September 2021 as the emergency response was declared finished.
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