Minister for Health

If you are in urgent need of mental health support, call one of the following crisis care services: 

• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
• NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511
• Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service via Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348.

The NSW Health website provides guidance for people who are in self-isolation, either because you have COVID-19 or have been identified as a close contact.

Under the Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order, anyone self-isolating at home is legally obliged to comply with the NSW Health guideline.

The NSW Health website includes advice about how you will be released from isolation. You will have received a text message (SMS) or email from NSW Health, or a letter from your GP which confirms the end of your isolation period. This is called your medical clearance notice. This means that you are no longer infectious and cannot pass COVID-19 on to other people.

From 15 December 2021, reduced COVID-19 restrictions are in place across NSW. 

In response to the outbreak of the omicron variant, rules about wearing masks in indoor non-residential settings and COVID Safe check-ins have been reintroduced in certain places.

For details on the current rules, please visit the NSW Government website. The website also includes advice about the rules as they apply to businesses.

Most people can now use a rapid antigen test at home to confirm whether they have COVID-19. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if you are fully-vaccinated, use a rapid antigen test immediately and self-isolate.

If your test is positive, you must register your result.

Most people don't need a PCR (nose and throat swab) test if they receive a positive rapid antigen test result. If you need a PCR (nose and throat swab) test, use the clinic finder on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.

You may be eligible for a Test and Isolate support payment.

NSW Health is working closely with the Australian Government to plan and implement a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination program in NSW. We encourage members of the community who are yet to receive a vaccine to do so by whatever means possible. Everyone over the age of 5 can now be vaccinated.

Studies show that the immunity created by COVID-19 vaccines begins to wane over time. It is very important that people get a booster vaccination as soon as they can. A booster vaccination can be given 4 or more months after your first 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

See the NSW Government website for information about booking an appointment.

NSW Health vaccination clinics and participating general practices and pharmacies across the state are open for COVID-19 vaccination bookings and walk in appointments.

You can make an appointment through the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder. You can also access and directly book an appointment with a general practitioner listed on HotDoc. In addition, COVID Queue may also be useful for people trying to book earlier appointments.

For the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccination program in NSW, please visit the NSW Government or NSW Health and National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance website. 

All people in NSW over the age of 12 are required to wear a face mask:

• in an indoor area of premises other than a place of residence
• in an indoor area on common property for residential premises
• at a public transport waiting area
• in a vehicle or vessel being used to provide a public transport service
• working at a hospitality venue and dealing directly with members of the public on a domestic commercial aircraft, including when the aircraft is flying above NSW.

Exemptions are available. Learn more about face mask rules. 

Entry to NSW is restricted when a NSW Health concerns notice identifies affected areas, areas of concern and places of high concern.

If you wish to travel to another state, check the state government website for your destination for the latest information and follow the rules for what you can do in NSW when you return.

Please visit the NSW Government website for more information.

New rules and restrictions apply to entering NSW from outside Australia and transiting through NSW from an international country. Full details of these rules can be found on the NSW Government website.

People arriving in NSW who are fully vaccinated will not need to quarantine, but must comply with NSW Health Guidelines. They must:

1. go straight to their home or accommodation
2. take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test
3. self-isolate until they get a negative test result
4. take another rapid antigen test on or after day 6
5. not visit high risk places for at least 7 days and their test results are negative.

If you are not fully vaccinated and are arriving in NSW from an overseas location, you will need to go into 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine. A cap on arrivals who are not fully vaccinated will apply.

People who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons (have a medical contraindication) must carry a medical certificate that indicates they are unable to be vaccinated.

To check if you are fully vaccinated, please visit the ATAGI or Australian Government website as other countries may have different definitions of what it is to be fully vaccinated.

If you are travelling to NSW from overseas and are seeking an exemption from the 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine, please visit the NSW Health website. 

For further information about quarantine, please visit the NSW Government website.

Information and resources for businesses about protecting staff and customers from COVID-19, financial relief and personalised support is available through the NSW Government website.

A Service NSW Business Concierge can assist businesses impacted by COVID-19. Call 13 77 88 between 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 5pm weekends and public holidays.

If you would like to offer a product for supply to NSW Health or other NSW Government agencies, please visit buy.nsw.gov.au

If you require PPE supplies, you can find details of suppliers through the buy.nsw PPE portal.

Increased fines and new compliance measures are now in place for breaches of public health orders.

Crime Stoppers NSW is the best and most appropriate way to report any breaches or concerns around people acting contrary to self-isolation or Health Orders. Crime Stoppers NSW can be contacted on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stoppers website. 

• For 24/7 advice and support on non-health-related COVID-19 enquiries from NSW community and businesses call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit nsw.gov.au.

• If you have symptoms and wish to speak to a registered nurse call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or visit the healthdirect website.

• For general advice on COVID-19 call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080  or visit the Australian Government's Health website 24/7.