This follows confirmation today that the double-dose COVID-19 vaccination rate in Victoria has reached 80 per cent for people aged 16 and over.
Under the National Plan agreed to by all First Ministers, the Commonwealth’s hotspot declaration automatically ceases within a particular state or territory once the 80 per cent fully vaccinated rate has been reached within that jurisdiction, with hotspot-related support to cease two weeks thereafter.
Targeted and specific funding from the Australian Government to support the management of COVID-19 in Victoria will continue to be provided through the National Partnership Agreement on COVID-19 Response with all states and territories.
Under the National Partnership, the Australian Government pays for 50 per cent of costs incurred by hospitals and state public health authorities in managing the impacts of COVID-19 on the health system.
Professor Kelly congratulates the residents of Victoria for so wholeheartedly embracing the need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and for the contribution this has made to helping our country safely reopen.
All LGAs in Greater Melbourne were declared a hotspot for the purpose of receiving Commonwealth support on 21 August 2021.
Information about Commonwealth hotspots is available from the Department of Health hotspot webpage.
Information about the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 is available from the Australia.gov.au website.