* Australia will reduce international arrivals by 50 per cent due to the risk of the Delta variant of COVID-19

* National cabinet has agreed to a four-phase plan to move away from lockdowns and restrictions once enough of the population is vaccinated

* The aim is to offer a vaccination to every Australian aged 16 and over by the end of the year

* The ultimate goal is to get to a position where COVID-19 is managed as an infectious disease like any other in the community

FIRST PHASE

* International intake will be temporarily reduced by 50 per cent by July 14

* Commonwealth will facilitate more flights to repatriate Australians, who will quarantine at Howard Springs in the Northern Territory

* Lockdowns to be used as a last resort

* Trials of alternative quarantine options including home quarantine for returning vaccinated travellers

* Hotel quarantine to face a second review to ensure health standards are being upheld

SECOND PHASE

* Kicks in once the national vaccination rate reaches a certain percentage of the population (to be determined by experts over the next month)

* Restrictions eased on vaccinated residents and lockdowns only used in extreme circumstances

* Inbound passenger caps restored to previous levels for unvaccinated travellers and more generous arrangements introduced for vaccinated travellers

* Possible capped entry of students and economic visa holders

* Introduction of some alternative quarantine arrangements

* Rollout of vaccine booster shots

THIRD PHASE

* COVID-19 will be managed like any other infectious disease, with hospitalisation and fatality rates similar to the flu or better

* No lockdowns, booster shots rolled out widely, no restrictions on vaccinated people and possible travel bubbles with other countries

FOURTH PHASE

* Uncapped arrivals of vaccinated people with no quarantine, and testing for unvaccinated travellers but no quarantine if negative

Australian Associated Press