What you need to know

It is especially important that those at high risk of severe COVID-19, including people living with a lung condition, are protected and take the necessary measures to reduce risk of exposure.
To help stay safe, you can: 

• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. If you are unsure, speak with your healthcare provider, such as your GP or pharmacist.  
• Talk with your healthcare team about your options for COVID-19 treatment and how to access these treatments if you test positive for COVID-19 
• Stay home if you are unwell or test positive for COVID-19 
• Practise good hygiene  
• Consider wearing a mask in situations where it may be difficult to physically distance 

Vaccines and boosters

COVID-19 vaccines offer significant protection against severe COVID-19 infection. It can be difficult trying to keep up with the latest advice on when to get a vaccine and who is eligible. To assist, the latest recommendations on booster doses are summarised below (as per Department of Health and Aged Care, 2024). You can also check your eligibility for a COVID-19 booster here.  

Recommendations by Age Group

75 years and older

• Recommended every 6 months.

65-74 years

• Recommended every 12 months. Can consider every 6 months.

18-64 years

• With severe immunocompromise: Recommended every 12 months. Can consider every 6 months.
• Without severe immunocompromise: Consider every 12 months.

5-17 years

• With severe immunocompromise: Consider every 12 months.
• Without severe immunocompromise: Not recommended.

Under 5 years

• Not recommended.

Other Key Information

• COVID-19 vaccines remain funded for all eligible individuals, including those without a Medicare card.
• COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with any other vaccine for people aged 5 years and over.

Individuals are encouraged to discuss their COVID-19 vaccinations with their health practitioner. For more information, visit the Department of Health website  here. We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about vaccines, staying well, and what to do if you get COVID-19.

COVID-19 testing  

COVID-19 testing rules have changed a lot since the COVID-19 pandemic, but testing for COVID-19 is still important to protect yourself and others. You should get tested for COVID-19 if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been advised by a health professional to get tested.    

The two types of COVID-19 tests available in Australia are:  

• Rapid antigen tests (RATs) 

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests 

Most state and territory governments have now stopped asking people to register their positive RAT results online.  

Talk to your doctor about which test is right for you, and what to do if you test positive for COVID-19. If you are at risk of becoming very unwell with COVID-19, having a plan for what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 can help you to access to any support or treatments you may need more quickly. If you or your loved one is living with a lung condition, a plan may be developed with your treating healthcare team or GP and could include: 

• Instruction (action plan) on the actions to take if your usual symptoms change or worsen 

• Up-to-date prescriptions for both regular medications and emergency medications (if they are part of your plan) 

• When to seek further medical care or call an ambulance. 

Antiviral treatment

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for antiviral treatment if you are:

• 70 years of age or older
• 50-69 years of age and with two additional risk factors
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 30 years or older and with one additional risk factor
• An adult who is moderately to severely immunocompromised
• An adult who has experienced a past COVID-19 infection resulting in hospitalisation

Additional risk factors include living in residential aged care, pre-existing health conditions such as chronic respiratory conditions, or living remotely with reduced access to higher level healthcare. For a full list of risk factors, visit the Department of Health website. You can also check your eligibility for antivirals here. If you are at risk of becoming very unwell with COVID-19, talk to your doctor about your suitability for antiviral treatment. Together, you can develop a plan to ensure you can access antiviral treatment quickly if you need it.

If you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, it can help to have a conversation with your GP before contracting COVID-19 about your individual circumstances. Together, you can develop a plan to ensure you can access antiviral treatment quickly if you need it. 

For more information on long COVID, visit Lung Foundation Australia’s dedicated long COVID webpages.

Click on your state or territory here to see relevant links to health department advice, translated resources and long COVID clinics (where applicable).