Fewer households impacted by COVID-19

Fewer Australian households reported impacts on their working arrangements, and school or childcare attendance due to COVID-19, according to results released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

David Zago, ABS head of household surveys, said: “Our latest Household Impacts of COVID-19 Survey showed 13 per cent of households reporting job situation changes due to COVID-19 in September, compared to 21 per cent in August.”

The survey also showed half as many Australian households with children reported that school or childcare attendance was impacted by COVID-19, with 8 per cent in September compared to 15 per cent in August. 

The survey also asked Australians about symptoms and testing for COVID-19.

“In September, one in four households (27 per cent) experienced cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, down from 36 per cent in August 2022,” Mr Zago said.

One in three households (32 per cent) had a COVID-19 test in the past four weeks, down from 43 per cent in August. 

“13 per cent of households which tested for COVID-19 reported a positive test result in September, continuing the downward trend from 22 per cent of households in August and 27 per cent in July,” Mr Zago said.

The ABS would like to thank households that have contributed to these survey results.