Omari Gates
Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been varied, with different states adopting different approaches to lockdowns and restrictions. While some states have been quick to impose swift and strict restrictions, others have been more reluctant to implement lockdowns, even when faced with rising case numbers. As of June 2021, several Australian states, including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia, have experienced lockdowns and varying levels of restrictions. These measures have been implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, such as the Delta variant. The Australian government has also introduced a national reopening plan, aiming to ease restrictions and revive the economy in a phased manner. However, the states' responses have been mixed, with some forging their own paths and expressing concerns about high case numbers in COVID states like New South Wales and Victoria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states in lockdown | 2 |
| States in lockdown | New South Wales, Victoria |
| Cities in lockdown | Darwin, Greater Sydney, Melbourne |
| Reasons for lockdown | To slow the spread of the coronavirus and the Delta variant |
| Restrictions | People can only leave home for medical treatment, to obtain essential goods and services, for essential work, one hour of exercise a day, or to provide care |
| Other restrictions | Masks are mandatory indoors and on public transport; public events restricted to 150 people |
| Previous lockdowns | Victoria (twice), Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Queensland, Tasmania |
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What You'll Learn
New South Wales (NSW) lockdown
New South Wales (NSW) has been subjected to several lockdowns throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that strict limits on personal movement would remain in place for Mother's Day, despite Australia's low rate of new coronavirus cases.
In June 2021, Greater Sydney entered a lockdown scheduled to last until 16 July, due to an outbreak of the Delta variant. This lockdown was extended multiple times, with the restrictions eventually being eased in December 2021. During this period, residents in lockdown areas were allowed to have up to five visitors in their homes if they were from the same affected suburbs.
In August 2021, the entire state of NSW was placed under stay-at-home restrictions, with residents only allowed to leave home for four essential reasons: shopping for essential goods, medical care, exercise outdoors in groups of two, and essential work or education. A 'singles bubble' was also introduced, allowing people living alone to nominate one person to visit them during the lockdown. Hospitality venues were closed to the public, and a mask mandate was in place for both indoor and outdoor settings.
In addition to these statewide restrictions, various local government areas (LGAs) within NSW have experienced targeted lockdowns. For example, in August 2021, the LGAs of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, Georges River, and several others were placed under hard lockdown, with an outdoor mask mandate and a 5km travel limit.
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Victoria lockdown
Victoria has had some of the strictest and longest lockdowns in Australia. In May 2020, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews refused to relax lockdown restrictions for Mother's Day, stating that he himself would not be visiting his mother. This lockdown lasted for 112 days and was, at the time, the longest continuous period of COVID-19 lockdown globally.
Victoria entered its fourth lockdown on 28 May 2021 in response to an outbreak of the Delta variant. Originally scheduled for seven days, the lockdown was extended to two weeks and lifted on 10 June.
In February 2025, Victoria entered another lockdown to prevent a third wave of COVID-19 infections. This was in response to a cluster of cases at the Holiday Inn quarantine hotel, which grew to at least 13 cases. During this lockdown, Victorians were only allowed to leave their homes for four reasons: to shop for necessary goods, to provide care, for essential work or permitted education, or for exercise. Masks were also compulsory outside the home, and a five-kilometre radius rule was implemented.
In September 2024, Victoria unveiled a "cautious" roadmap out of lockdown, with the state reporting 507 new local cases and one death. The roadmap included plans to ease restrictions in a staggered and measured way, with Melbourne's lockdown to be lifted once 70% of Victorian adults were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This milestone was expected to be reached around 26 October, with further substantial changes to restrictions to be made once 80% of over-16s were immunised, forecast for about 5 November.
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Queensland restrictions
Queensland has brought back some restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Queensland was under a public health emergency, and the state implemented border restrictions to protect its citizens. People were not allowed to enter Queensland unless they were 'exempt persons', including those providing critical services to the state.
In 2021, Queensland reintroduced restrictions for two weeks, with pubs, restaurants, and cafes reverting to a one-person-per-two-square-metre rule. Private gatherings at homes were limited to 100 people, and the state urged anyone with symptoms to get tested. Queensland also implemented a snap lockdown in Brisbane in June 2021, alongside Perth, Darwin, and Sydney, impacting over 12 million Australians.
During the pandemic, Queenslanders were permitted to leave their homes for recreational activities, but they had to stay within 50 km of their principal residence and practice social distancing of 1.5 metres. Police patrolled public spaces and residential areas to ensure compliance and prevent large gatherings.
Queensland has taken proactive measures to control the spread of COVID-19, including border restrictions, lockdowns, and social distancing rules. The state has adapted its restrictions based on the evolving situation, prioritising the health and safety of its residents.
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Western Australia border closure
Australia has had some of the world's strictest COVID-19 lockdown measures, with various states and territories imposing internal border closures during the pandemic. Western Australia, in particular, has been dubbed a "hermit kingdom" due to its tough stance on border closures.
Western Australia's border controls were among the nation's toughest, and they remained in place for almost two years. During this time, most international visitors were banned, and the state took advantage of its natural isolation to keep COVID-19 cases low. The state's large size, 10 times that of the United Kingdom, also played a role in its ability to isolate effectively.
The state's premier, Mark McGowan, defended the policy, stating that it had "avoided needless deaths." However, he acknowledged the difficulties faced by separated families and businesses. While the measures successfully kept infections low, they could not prevent a recent surge in Omicron cases. As a result, Western Australia reported 1,770 cases on Wednesday before the border reopening—a new record for the state.
The delay in reopening borders also impacted the mining industry, which is a key sector in Western Australia. The state is home to mines that produce about 30% of the world's iron ore and 70% of China's imports. Mining companies, such as BHP Group and Fortescue Metals Group Ltd, faced labour shortages and production challenges due to the border restrictions.
Finally, on March 3, 2022, Western Australia reopened its borders to double-vaccinated international and domestic travellers, bringing an end to its prolonged isolation.
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Northern Territory lockdown
The Northern Territory in Australia has experienced several lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first of these lockdowns was announced in June 2021 by Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner. This lockdown was in response to an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant, with four new cases linked to a central Australian mine. The lockdown encompassed Darwin, Palmerston, and Litchfield local government areas, as well as Wagait and Belyuen Shires. During this time, residents could only leave their homes for essential reasons, such as medical treatment, obtaining essential goods, and work. This lockdown was expected to end on Tuesday but was extended for another 72 hours until 1 pm on Friday due to the emergence of new cases.
In August 2021, the Northern Territory faced another snap lockdown, this time including the town of Katherine. This three-day lockdown was triggered by a new case of COVID-19 in a man in his 30s who had travelled from Sydney to Darwin via Canberra Airport. The man had completed a 14-day quarantine in Sydney and was tested in the Northern Territory three days after his arrival. Chief Minister Michael Gunner assumed the man had the Delta variant and expressed uncertainty about the source of the man's infection.
The Northern Territory government offered a $1000 business lockdown grant during these challenging periods. The territory implemented restrictions and lockdowns to protect its citizens and slow the spread of COVID-19, joining other Australian states like Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales in their efforts to control the pandemic.
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Frequently asked questions
New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia were in lockdown in 2021.
The Delta variant outbreak in New South Wales in June 2021 led to lockdowns in the state, including Sydney, and spread to neighbouring Victoria, with Melbourne also entering lockdown.
Western Australia closed its internal border until 2022 and introduced new restrictions, including mask-wearing indoors and on public transport, for Perth and Peel residents.
Queensland reintroduced restrictions for two weeks, limiting pubs, restaurants, and cafes to one person per two square metres, and restricting private gatherings to 100 people.
New South Wales imposed a 14-day lockdown for Greater Sydney, allowing outdoor exercise in groups of up to 10 and COVID-safe funerals with up to 100 people. Weddings were allowed on weekends with restrictions and had to be cancelled from Monday.
