Seventy per cent of Australians aged 16 and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a national milestone in the government's plan to reopen the country.
While vaccination rates differ between states, causing a staggered move to ease restrictions, the national rate has now reached the major target set by the government to begin moving out of the pandemic.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the milestone was a testament to Australians.
"I can officially confirm that Australia has now passed the 70 per cent double-dosed vaccination rate for the 16-plus population," Mr Hunt said.
"To be precise, 70.007 per cent of Australians.
"It's a memorable number, but it's memorable above all else because it represents the movement at a national level to phase B of our national roadmap."
Under the national roadmap, the move to phase B happens when the national average, as well as the average in a particular state or territory, has reached 70 per cent.
Lockdowns become less likely, restrictions are eased for fully vaccinated residents, international traveller caps are raised, and international students and other temporary visa holders are able to enter Australia.
It also marks the beginning of preparations to administer vaccine booster shots.
Details of that program are expected later this month, but Mr Hunt suggested boosters would first be rolled out in aged care homes.
"We have the supply, we have the mechanism. The last part is the medical advice and the medical approval," he said.
'Patchiness' between states
Mr Hunt also celebrated the outstanding vaccination rate in Canberra, which is now one of the most vaccinated cities in the world.
"I think it's important to acknowledge what has happened here in the ACT," he said.
"The ACT is at 98.1 per cent first vaccinations. It is one of the most highly vaccinated societies in the world."
But Mr Hunt noted there was some "patchiness" between states, particularly among children aged 12 to 15, for whom vaccines have only recently become available.
While NSW and the ACT have surpassed 80 per cent double dose rates for the eligible population, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory are not expected to reach their 70 per cent milestones until mid-November, and 80 per cent a month after that.
Nationally, 85.5 per cent of the population has received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
