In regions that were not in lockdown, NSW’s so-called ‘freedom day’ will strip freedoms from people not yet double-vaxxed. Rights they had on Sunday will be gone on Monday.

Up to 10,000 punters will be allowed at the Melbourne Cup and live music lovers can attend a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl at the end of October as the Victorian government prepares to slowly open up the state.

Victoria, NSW and Australia as a whole appear to be well on track to exceed the 80 per cent double-dose vaccination rate and push towards 90, and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says he is committed to avoiding any further lockdowns.

Can my kids get a haircut? Does a 13-year-old count in vaccinated visitors to a home? Not every question about what you can and can’t do on Monday has an easy answer.

As people raced to get vaccinated on Sunday before the easing of restrictions tomorrow, Doctors have warned that the vaccine takes 14 days to reach full immunity.

Zoos reopening after lockdown have been preparing their animals for exposure to humans and working on social distancing.

Michelle Darragh died after she was found with life-threatening injuries in Bayswater North on Saturday. Her former partner was on Sunday in hospital in a critical condition under police guard.

Victoria will begin trialling its updated Services Victoria app on Monday in selected locations in regional Victoria. Here is how you set it up and how you can still get into your favourite places if you don’t use a smart phone or check in app.

Authorities believe the driver could have been infectious during his time in WA but said the risk to the public was low. 

Unable to host gigs during lockdown, Brunswick Ballroom is handing out free meals to arts workers every Saturday.

After a long lockdown, retailers are hoping that pent-up demand will translate into a shopping boom to help fix sagging sales.

As NSW prepares to emerge from 106 days of lockdown, we can thank science and the resulting high vaccination rates that have clearly been decisive in driving down infections in NSW.

The number of hospitalisations also is falling with 794 patients currently being treated for the virus in NSW, and 159 people in intensive care.

This past 18 months we’ve all had to ask ourselves the question: what would you give up to save a stranger’s life?

The Gladstone region will host one of the world’s largest hydrogen-equipment manufacturing plants under plans revealed by mining magnate Andrew Forrest.

The family of a Bendigo grandmother say their mother’s aged care facility and treating GP are responsible for her death from an infected blister which eventually killed her.

The best photos from the international wire agencies as chosen by our picture editors

The caravan was being moved when it struck the seven-year-old about 10am on Sunday at Tidal River.

Until parents, teachers and school and tertiary leaders communicate effectively, the education system will put students under undue pressure to perform.

At the stroke of midnight, vaccinated Sydneysiders will be able to have a beer and play the pokies at some venues.

School closures during Victoria’s COVID lockdowns have led to fears across the education sector of a lack of qualified graduate teachers, but training organisations are working to help students through.

A group email inviting 350 Queenslanders – including AFP, Defence and Queensland Health staff – to take part in a home-quarantine trial failed to conceal their email addresses.

Queensland has reported a fifth day without any new community cases of COVID-19, as it approaches a major vaccination milestone.

Up to 10,000 punters will be allowed at the Melbourne Cup and live music lovers can attend a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl at the end of October as the Victorian government prepares to slowly open up the state.

The week in photos from our award winning staff photographers and regular contributing photographers at The Age.

An absence of backpackers and late vaccine opportunities for young people will stop some restaurants opening on Monday.

By increasing its size to a full regiment, the 10th Light Horse will play an important role supporting ADF operations here in WA and across the Indo-Pacific.

Sydneysiders have woken to a haze this morning as smoke from hazard reduction burning settled in various parts of the city overnight.

Time is impossible – it can’t exist. Fourth-century theologian Augustine “proved” this in his greatest book, The Confessions.

Gunditjmara writer, musician and filmmaker Richard Frankland reflects on his ties to Country and his belief that facing the truth can set all Australians free.

White invaders drawn to a bountiful landscape unleashed a murderous assault on Victoria’s First Peoples in a brutal, illegal land grab that remains a stain on the state’s history.

The worker tested positive for the virus after he deteriorated at work the same day, having just taken a patient to hospital, according to an account from the Victorian Ambulance Union.

The “star witness” in the ABC’s documentary and podcast on murdered journalist Juanita Nielsen demanded that the program makers not ask him crucial questions, including about his criminal record.

When the Queenscliff sets sail on Wednesday for its final weekday passenger service, we will all wax lyrical with our favourite Manly ferry moment. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

The well-publicised actions of watchdogs in NSW and Victoria starkly expose the federal government’s failure to act.

Gyms and fitness studios are offering free workouts, new programs and improved ventilation to entice clients back from Monday.

A group of volunteers are getting hope in exchange for hard work in keeping the Enterprize afloat after the not-for-profit that manages the ship ran out of cash.

As the scandals surrounding Facebook stack up, we have a timely opportunity to create a regulatory framework that ensures that Big Tech starts to operate in the best interests of children.

The state of NSW is embarking on an experiment when it reopens from lockdown with high vaccination coverage but little background immunity.

NSW Ambulance is braced for increased call-outs when pubs reopen and the fully vaccinated can gather in larger groups.

Victoria Heinrich knows a thing or two about emerging from ‘lockdown’ life and reintegrating into society. Despite years spent in Antarctica, she says the ‘reverse culture shock’ of coming home happens every time.

With the customary arrogance of those who believe they are born to rule, John Howard dares to claim that the “the whole state” is grieving for Gladys Berejiklian.

NSW is about to become Australia’s first post-lockdown state. The freedoms we’ve won will taste sweet in the weeks ahead. Let’s hope we don’t throw it away in a summary sugar rush.

The founder of the Black Dog Institute says political bickering over the pandemic has undermined social cohesion.

A number of Sydney venues will not reopen on Monday over concerns about requiring staff and customers to be vaccinated.

The end of this long lockdown is a huge relief - and now we must do everything in our power not to go backwards.

Woollahra Council has delayed construction of a cycleway along Rose Bay Promenade, as some residents call for it to be moved.

Beauty clinics and hair salons have been inundated with bookings from clients seeking “to help them feel their best” after months of lockdown.

Documents obtained by The Sun-Herald also reveal 775 children aged 13 to 17 were issued with personal infringement notices, which come with an on-the-spot fine of at least $3000.

“I never would’ve thought I would run 14 kilometres or 21 kilometres, but I did,” the 35-year-old psychologist says.