Life after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Community Insights and Priorities

This infographic presents highlights from Lung Foundation Australia’s 2025 survey, which gathered over 1,500 responses to understand Australians’ experiences with COVID-19 and long COVID in the post-pandemic era.

The data reveals that COVID-19 continues to affect workforce participation and health outcomes. Half of those infected since early 2024 reported moderate to severe impacts on their ability to work, and two-thirds of people with long COVID experienced similar disruptions. Among respondents with lung disease, one in four reported major or severe impacts on their lung condition as a result of their COVID-19 infection.

Despite the shift away from emergency pandemic measures, concern about future COVID-19 infections remains high. Forty percent of all respondents, 43% of those with lung disease, and 69% of those with long COVID said they were “very concerned” about getting COVID-19 in the future. Health professionals also face ongoing challenges, such as patient receptivity, staying current with guidance, and accessing specialist care for long COVID.

Community priorities for improving COVID-19 and long COVID management include improving access to treatment, expanding research efforts, raising public awareness, increasing long COVID health services, improving information and resources, and providing further support to health professionals.

To address these issues, Lung Foundation Australia makes the following recommendations:

1. Strengthen COVID-19 vaccination coverage and invest in community-driven communication strategies.
2. Improve equity of access to COVID-19 treatments and strengthen consumer engagement in medicine review processes.
3. Provide the public with more resources and information about COVID-19 and long COVID, focussing on those who are vulnerable.
4. Invest in training and information solutions for health professionals.
5. Strengthen current state health responses to long COVID by increasing access to specialised health services.
6. Consider further actions to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

This infographic distils the lived experiences and urgent needs of Australians navigating life after the pandemic, reinforcing the call for sustained and coordinated action to protect public health and support recovery.

Read the full report to explore the data, insights, and recommendations shaping Australia’s response to life after the pandemic.