Fully-vaccinated international arrivals no longer have to isolate for 72 hours in both Victoria and New South Wales.

The change to isolation measures comes after NSW recorded 2213 COVID-19 cases, its highest number since the onset of the pandemic.

The change in isolation measures will come into effect Tuesday, 21 December and extends to flight crews.

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NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the changes are a move towards consistent COVID-19 requirements.

"We know it has been a challenging time for international travel with new rules and the emergence of the Omicron variant, but this announcement is about simplifying the process and making sure Australia's two biggest cities have a consistent approach," Mr Perrottet said.

"This decision has been made with safety remaining the top priority, which is why all arrivals must return a negative PCR test before they can exit isolation and have an additional test following that."

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Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino said the changes will ensure the community is protected and came after consultation with Chief Health Officers.

"With more than 92 per cent of Victorians 12 years and older double-vaccinated, Victorians have given themselves the strongest chance of living safely with coronavirus and enjoying more freedoms this festive season, while we continue to monitor the Omicron variant," Mr Merlino said.

Arrivals will still need to get a PCR test within 24 hours after arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result.

A follow-up test is also required on day six after arrival.

Currently fully-vaccinated international arrivals need to get a test as soon as possible and isolate for 72 hours regardless of when they received a negative test result.

Those not fully-vaccinated must go directly into 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.

Citizens eligible to book a booster COVID-19 vaccine are urged to do so — especially those at higher risk of contracting coronavirus, such as healthcare workers.

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has said there will be no change in the vaccination interval between the second dose and booster, with it to remain at five months.

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No further changes will be made to the interval between the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots, Australia's Chief Medical Officer has said.

The duration between the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and the booster shot was recently reduced from six months to five months.

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly announced today no further changes would be made to the interval for booster vaccines, as a shorter interval reduces the efficacy of inoculation.

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"It remains anyone who has had their second dose five or more months after that they are now eligible for that booster dose," he said.

He also asked vaccine clinics to be flexible around the five-month period between the second shot and booster due to clinics closing for Christmas.

"ATAGI is urging anyone who is giving vaccines to be a little flexible about that five months given that clinics may be closed or people may be travelling. If you're a week or two before the five months, you know, that's fine," he said.

Vaccine efficacy against Omicron variant

Professor Kelly's announcement comes as all Australians are urged to come forward for their booster shot to increase their protection against the Omicron variant.

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Professor Kelly said the vaccine is not as effective in stopping transmission of the virus, which explains the "very rapid transmission" in the New South Wales outbreak.

He said early evidence shows the vaccine does, however, prevent hospitalisations as a result of Omicron.

"We also know, and this is new information, that the vaccine remains effective against severe disease, perhaps a little less than it is the case against Delta, for example, but it does remain effective," he said.

"I think that's one of the reasons why we are seeing increases in cases but not so much of an increase in hospitalisations or other forms of severe disease, so that is important."

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Booster shot shortage

There have been reports of a booster shortage in Australia, which Lieutenant General John Frewen addressed today.

Lieutenant General Frewen said some GPs and pharmacies are running low in booster shots due to the rapid change in advice.

"It's less than a week since we got the change in the ATAGI advice from six months to five months," he said.

"Instead of 1.7 million people due, there's now more than 4 million people due at the end of the year."

More vaccines have been ordered and Lieutenant General Frewen said there should be "no concern about the amount of supply".

The incoming delivery of vaccines arriving next week will be the largest number of shots since the beginning of the rollout.

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More than 190 hectares will be set aside for a dedicated koala sanctuary near Port Macquarie, north of Sydney, in a bid to save the native animal from extinction.

The New South Wales Government announced they have bought 194 hectares of "prime koala habitat" as part of a joint purchase with Koala Conservation Australia (KCA)

The land is adjacent to the Lake Innes Nature Reserve, south-west of Port Macquarie.

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The move is part of a mission to help double the marsupials' population in the state by 2050.

NSW's koala population saw a drastic decline after the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, with some scientists warning they're on track for extinction by 2050.

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Environment Minister Matt Kean said the purchase will protect the core koala habitat in the Port Macquarie region.

"There has been sustained community advocacy to see this land purchased," Mr Kean said.

"Our iconic koalas are increasingly threatened by the loss and fragmentation of habitat, this purchase will protect critical habitat from development and ensure the koala population in this area is safeguarded forever.

"Our plan is to add this purchase to Lake Innes Nature Reserve and declare it an Asset of Intergenerational Significance, which will provide the highest possible protections to this critically important population in perpetuity."

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the purchase is a victory for the many advocates in the local community who have fought so hard for this result.

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"The conservation of koalas on this land will be boosted by an ongoing partnership between the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and KCA – a great demonstration of what can be achieved when government works closely with the community," Ms Williams said.

"It's such welcome news here in the Port Macquarie region that the NSW Government has recognised the significance of this land through our passionate local community campaign."

As well as the koala, three additional threatened species — eastern coastal free-tailed bat, glossy black cockatoo and grey-headed flying-fox — have been recorded on the property.

Police have released the identities of five children killed in a horror jumping castle accident in Tasmania yesterday as the tight-knit community mourns the tragedy.

Zane Mellor, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Peter Dodt, all aged 12, and 11-year-old Addison Stewart all died in the accident in Devonport yesterday.

There were close to 40 grade five and six students taking part in the end-of-term activities at Hillcrest Primary School when the accident occurred.

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Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said "the majority of those injured were in the jumping castle" when it was lifted by the gust of wind.

Three children are still fighting for their lives at the Royal Hobart Hospital, and one child was this morning discharged from hospital to recover at home.

Peter Dodt's sister expressed her pain after the death of her brother.

"It just hurts… knowing I won't be able to see him again," Peter's sister Chloe told 9News.

"We're not the only ones hurting, and we know that, it's horrible but thanks to those who are reaching out and helping," Jye Dodts, Peter's cousin, added.

Commissioner Hine said the whole Devonport region was feeling the loss deeply.

"Tasmanians are coming together to support each other at this very difficult time," said.

"Support those around you and ask for help if you are struggling."

Tributes for two of the children, Zane and Addison, have already been posted online.

Zane is being remembered as a "beautiful caring, gentle soul".

In an online fundraiser, a family remember of Addison wrote: "Everyone is devastated, she was always such a sweet kind, old soul."

Earlier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed his "deepest sympathies" for the families involved.

"I want to extend on behalf of the government and Jenny and I, our deepest sympathies to all the families and all the community in Devonport for this horrific tragedy, that's occurred with the loss of five young precious lives, and more that hang in the balance," he said.

"Our first responders each and every day are trained to deal with some of the most unimaginable things, but on this occasion it goes beyond what they could have imagined."