Health

Japanese encephalitis case detected in NSW

NSW Health is warning people to protect themselves from mosquito bites after a case of Japanese encephalitis was detected in a man in the state's cent...

Measles alert for Melbourne shopping strip

A measles alert has be issued after a traveller with the disease visited a busy shopping strip in Melbourne's north over several days while infectious...

Northern Territory surrogacy laws in force

The Northern Territory's new surrogacy laws have come into effect after being passed by parliament earlier this year.

Tassie bid to lure more help for health

It is hoped health researchers will be attracted to work in Tasmania under a deal to open a new research centre in Launceston.

Toxic algae warning for Sydney shellfish

A toxic algae warning remains in place for shellfish caught in waters around Broken Bay, north of Sydney at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.

Call for blood donors to roll up sleeves

Lifeblood is calling on the public to give back this Christmas period by donating much-needed blood.

Gates, Bezos invest in Aust 'brain chip'

Billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos have invested in an Australian brain-computer interface company in direct competition with Elon Musk start-up,...

Alerts linger as COVID-19 hits NSW peak

Infections of COVID-19 are likely to fall in Australia's most populous state or NSW but experts warn the national health emergency is far from over.

Kids open wide for tooth decay study

The dental health of Australian children will be examined in a four-year study of more than 30,000 kids that has won the support of state health autho...

Report delay on NSW minister COVID status

A parliamentary report due into the COVID-19 status of NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has been delayed after he accused the inquiry of suppressing e...

Pet-owner relief as new operator steps in

The University of Melbourne will close its U‐Vet Animal Hospital, with new operators taking over in the new year.

Labor MP hits out at psych appointment cut

Labor backbencher Josh Burns has come out against a government decision to halve the number of subsidised psychology appointments.

Hospital sex-abuse report rebukes leaders

Tasmania's government will implement all 92 recommendations of a review which found shortcomings at a hospital examined at a child sexual abuse inquir...

Historic Smokefree NZ legislation passes

Legislation to ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008 in New Zealand has passed parliament.

PCR test still there for those at risk: PM

Despite changes to how PCR tests can be accessed, the prime minister has assured that vulnerable groups can still get the tests for free.

Doctors query pandemic response changes

The Australian Medical Association has questioned a government move to restrict COVID-19 testing and mental health services.

Protection for genetic test results urged

Researchers have urged the government to stop insurers from accessing people's genetic tests, saying it is having negative health impacts.

Subsidised psychology visits to be halved

The government is halving the number of Medicare-subsidised psychology appointments from the end of the year, following a review of the scheme.

Access tightened for free COVID PCR tests

A referral will be needed from next year if patients require a free PCR test under changes to how Australia will deal with COVID-19.

Fed govt releases COVID-19 plan for 2023

The federal government has released details of its COVID-19 management plan for 2019, warning the virus will still have an impact on Australians.