Australia will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, welcoming the return of tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February. These changes will ensure we protect the health of Australians, while we continue to secure our economic recovery. With improving health conditions, including a recent 33 per cent decline in hospitalisations due to COVID, the National Security Committee of Cabinet agreed Australia is ready to further progress the staged reopening of our international border. This week’s announcement will give certainty to our vital tourism industry, and allow them to start planning, hiring and preparing for our reopening. In 2018-19, tourism generated more than $60 billion for the Australian economy, with more than 660,000 jobs dependent on the industry.

ALL AGED CARE FACILITIES OFFERED BOOSTERS & MORE THAN 80 PER CENT OF AGED CARE RESIDENTS RECEIVE BOOSTERS
Senior Australians in residential aged care are leading the national uptake of COVID-19 vaccine boosters. All residential aged care facilities in Australia have now been visited and offered boosters, with 81.2 per cent (as of 9 Feb) of those eligible for their third vaccine shot now having received it. In-reach booster clinics have reached all 2541 facilities across Australia, with the program completed ahead of the original schedule as the Morrison Government responded to the updated advice on the timing of boosters by ATAGI. More than 99 per cent of Australians aged 70 years of age and older are fully vaccinated and more than three-quarters of Australians aged 70 years of age and older have had a booster. We are committed to supporting our senior Australians and those who care for them in aged care facilities to get protected through vaccination.  

PARLIAMENT PASSES LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE THE SUPERANNUATION SYSTEM
The Government this week has passed legislation that will ensure superannuation continues to work in the best interests of all Australians. The legislation will provide more flexibility for families and individuals preparing for retirement by allowing individuals aged between 67 and 75 to make non-concessional superannuation contributions under the bring-forward rule. The legislation also supports the repeal of the work test for non-concessional and salary sacrificed contributions made by individuals aged between 67 and 75. It also delivers on a key commitment in the 2021-22 Women’s Budget Statement by removing the $450 per month income threshold under which employees do not have to be paid the superannuation guarantee by their employer.  

NDIS NOW SUPPORTING MORE THAN HALF A MILLION AUSTRALIANS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme’s latest Quarterly Report has marked a major milestone under the Morrison Government, with the world-first insurance scheme now transforming the lives of more than 500,000 Australians living with a significant and permanent disability. The NDIS is having a huge impact, not only transforming the lives of people with disability but also the many thousands of family members and carers who play such a big part in supporting our participants to live the life they choose. We have also ensured the scheme is fully funded with a $26.4 billion boost in the December 2021 Budget Update bringing our total NDIS investment to $142 billion over four years.  

INCREASED FUNDING FOR OVARIAN CANCER CARE AND SUPPORT 
To mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the Morrison Government will provide an additional $2 million to Ovarian Cancer Australia for its work supporting women with ovarian cancer and their families. This additional funding will ensure Ovarian Cancer Australia can continue providing vital telehealth support services through its Teal Support Program until 2024.

The Teal Support Program employs specialist nurses who use telehealth to provide care and support to people with ovarian cancer, from diagnosis through to post-treatment.