Invest
3 steps to a COVID-safe economy
The Prime Minister has revealed a three-step plan that aims to achieve a COVID-19-safe economy as early as July.
3 steps to a COVID-safe economy
The Prime Minister has revealed a three-step plan that aims to achieve a COVID-19-safe economy as early as July.

While Scott Morrison has conceded “we’ve still got a long way to go”, he has outlined a plan to kickstart the economy, which, according to Treasury, will see some 850,000 jobs restored in the months ahead.
He announced that the national cabinet has agreed on a three-step plan and a national framework to achieve “a COVID-safe economy and society”.
Mr Morrison said, “It is our goal to move through all of these steps to achieve that COVID-safe economy in July of this year.”
“That will get us back where we need to be – as quickly as we can.”

States and territories will hold responsibility for easing up restrictions in their respective jurisdictions at their own pace.
“States will and must move at their own pace, and will cut and paste out of this plan to suit their local circumstances,” the Prime Minister stated.
But based on the national framework, here’s what Australians can expect at each stage:
Step 1
The first stage “will enable greater connection with friends and family”.
Gatherings of up to 10 people and five guests in an individual’s home will be allowed.
Funerals will be able to accommodate up to 30 attendees outdoors, while 10 people will be allowed at weddings.
Working from home where it suits the employee and the employer. Children will be back in classrooms and allowed in community playgrounds.
Step 2
The second stage of lifted restrictions will allow larger-size gatherings up to 20 people, including for venues such as cinemas and galleries, more retail openings and the return of organised community sport.
Step 3
At this stage, the Prime Minister said gatherings will be allowed for groups of up to 100 people.
While sketchy on the details, Mr Morrison said “this will become clearer as we move through the first two steps”.
“But most workers, by then, will be back in the workplace.”
Interstate travel is also expected to resume at this level, while pubs and clubs – pending some restrictions – will also be opened.
More to come.
About the author

About the author


Economy
Australia's June quarter GDP growth driven by consumer and government spending
Australia's economy has shown unexpected resilience in the June 2025 quarter, with household and government consumption driving growth despite a significant decline in public investmentRead more

Economy
Australia's GDP surprise is real but operators should heed the growth mix warning light
Australia’s June-quarter growth beat expectations on the strength of household consumption and government spending, even as public investment sagged. The upside surprise signals resilience, but the ...Read more

Economy
Households carried the quarter: what Australia’s upside GDP surprise means for strategy now
Australia’s economy expanded faster than expected in the June 2025 quarter, with GDP up 0.6 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 1.8 per cent year-on-year — the strongest pace in two years. The kicker ...Read more

Economy
Inflation dynamics in Australia: Electricity subsidies and labour market in focus
In a recent economic analysis, experts from State Street have highlighted significant developments in Australia's inflation landscape, attributing the changes primarily to the withdrawal of ...Read more

Economy
Australia's economic growth driven by consumer and government spending: A closer look at the June quarter
Australia's economy has delivered a surprising performance for the June 2025 quarter, surpassing expectations with a growth rate of 0.6% quarter-on-quarter and 1.8% year-on-year. This unexpected ...Read more

Economy
Australian and Korean leaders meet to unlock billions in new trade opportunities
In a significant effort to bolster economic ties and explore new avenues for investment, Australian and Korean leaders, alongside business executives and government officials, are gathering in Seoul ...Read more

Economy
Australia’s growth beat is real — but it’s the wrong kind for capacity
Australia’s economy outpaced forecasts in the June quarter as households opened wallets and government spending did the heavy lifting, even as public investment sagged. The signal for boardrooms: ...Read more

Economy
Australia’s growth is back—but it’s the wrong kind of strong
GDP surprised on the upside in the June quarter, powered by households and government outlays even as public investment slumped. The Reserve Bank stayed hawkish, signalling that sticky services ...Read more

Economy
Australia's June quarter GDP growth driven by consumer and government spending
Australia's economy has shown unexpected resilience in the June 2025 quarter, with household and government consumption driving growth despite a significant decline in public investmentRead more

Economy
Australia's GDP surprise is real but operators should heed the growth mix warning light
Australia’s June-quarter growth beat expectations on the strength of household consumption and government spending, even as public investment sagged. The upside surprise signals resilience, but the ...Read more

Economy
Households carried the quarter: what Australia’s upside GDP surprise means for strategy now
Australia’s economy expanded faster than expected in the June 2025 quarter, with GDP up 0.6 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 1.8 per cent year-on-year — the strongest pace in two years. The kicker ...Read more

Economy
Inflation dynamics in Australia: Electricity subsidies and labour market in focus
In a recent economic analysis, experts from State Street have highlighted significant developments in Australia's inflation landscape, attributing the changes primarily to the withdrawal of ...Read more

Economy
Australia's economic growth driven by consumer and government spending: A closer look at the June quarter
Australia's economy has delivered a surprising performance for the June 2025 quarter, surpassing expectations with a growth rate of 0.6% quarter-on-quarter and 1.8% year-on-year. This unexpected ...Read more

Economy
Australian and Korean leaders meet to unlock billions in new trade opportunities
In a significant effort to bolster economic ties and explore new avenues for investment, Australian and Korean leaders, alongside business executives and government officials, are gathering in Seoul ...Read more

Economy
Australia’s growth beat is real — but it’s the wrong kind for capacity
Australia’s economy outpaced forecasts in the June quarter as households opened wallets and government spending did the heavy lifting, even as public investment sagged. The signal for boardrooms: ...Read more

Economy
Australia’s growth is back—but it’s the wrong kind of strong
GDP surprised on the upside in the June quarter, powered by households and government outlays even as public investment slumped. The Reserve Bank stayed hawkish, signalling that sticky services ...Read more