A national cabinet meeting to discuss the latest COVID-19 wave has been brought forward two days to Saturday by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The fast-tracked gathering comes after increasing pressure to reverse a decision to end the emergency payments for people forced to isolate due to COVID-19 but without sick leave.
Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly will report to cabinet and "we will discuss proposals to ensure the vulnerable are protected over coming weeks", Mr Albanese tweeted on Friday evening.
According to Nine newspapers, the prime minister will advocate for a time-limited reinstatement of the payments as infections skyrocket and hospitalisations increase.
The scheme lapsed on June 30.
Australian Medical Association national president Omar Khorshid says he was surprised by the initial decision to scrap the payments, given people are still required to isolate if they test positive.
"The last thing you need when you have such huge numbers of cases around is for the government to pull its supports for people to do the right thing," he told the ABC on Friday.
"Generally the government has extended the measures we continue to need because the pandemic is still here and affecting us."
Mr Albanese was briefed on Australia's current and expected caseloads by Professor Kelly and Health Department secretary Brendan Murphy on Friday afternoon.
"We know the COVID pandemic is not over and people should continue to act in accordance with the health advice," he said.
As Australians seek booster vaccines across the country, the government is also facing calls to extend the free rapid antigen test program until the end of winter. Additionally, Mr Albanese acknowledges there has been a rapid rise in the use of antivirals in the past week.
The government expanded eligibility for fourth vaccine doses to anyone aged 30 and over earlier this month.
As of Thursday, nearly 14 million people had received three or more jabs, while almost three million had received four or more.
Acting opposition leader Sussan Ley says Mr Albanese "owes an apology to the tens of thousands of Australians who have faced stress and uncertainty" as a result of ending the pandemic payments.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has urged Mr Albanese to extend them as well as free RATs for concession card holders.
Australia recorded more than 43,000 cases and 66 deaths on Friday, with 4602 people in hospital.
Of 38 deaths reported in NSW on Saturday, authorities say 24 were notified by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA:
NSW: 11,082 cases, 38 deaths, 2024 in hospital with 66 in ICU
Victoria: 9982 cases, eight deaths, 802 in hospital with 34 in ICU
Tasmania: 1662 cases, two deaths, 138 in hospital with five in ICU
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