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Italian confectionery group Ferrero has recalled several children's chocolate products in Australia, having already recalled products in multiple European countries earlier in the week.

The recalled products could potentially be contaminated with salmonella, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced on Thursday.

The chocolates, including some Kinder products, were sold in large supermarket chains such as Coles and Woolworths.

"Consumers should not eat this product and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund," the FSANZ said in a statement.

Ferrero's Australian arm is recalling Easter baskets and some Kinder chocolate eggs. The Kinder Surprise 20g single and three-pack eggs are not affected.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have launched investigations into the salmonella outbreak and plan to publish an assessment next week.

So far, 105 confirmed cases and 29 suspected cases of salmonella, most of them in children under the age of 10, have been recorded in Europe, according to the authorities.

Almost half of the salmonella infections were recorded in Britain, with the first case being detected as early as January 7.

Other countries affected by the recall include Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland, Israel, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

© DPA 2022

Multiple flood evacuation orders have been issued across NSW as torrential rain drenches the state and major flooding inundates a growing list of areas.

Residents in Camden and Chipping Norton in Sydney's southwest were ordered to leave on Thursday afternoon due to rising waters.

The alerts came after people in parts of Woronora and Bonnet Bay in the city's south were told to evacuate in the morning.

In Camden, numerous rescues were in progress on Thursday afternoon as the Nepean River burst its banks, with at least five people retrieved with State Emergency Service boats, footage aired on the Nine Network showed.

One group was ferried over fast-running waters after becoming stranded trying to herd their livestock to safety.

Warnings for possible evacuations are also in place for Stuarts Point on the mid-north coast, Stonequarry Creek, Picton and parts of Camden in Sydney's southwest, and Wallacia Weir in the Blue Mountains.

At Menangle, also on the Nepean, flood levels are expected to surpass the record set in April 1988, Bureau of Meteorology senior hydrologist Ailsa Schofield said.

The 1988 flood peak was higher than the levels reached in 2021 and in 2022, she said.

Major flooding is also occurring at Wallacia on the Nepean, and North Richmond on the Hawkesbury, with flood levels expected to exceed recent river heights seen there in March.

"There is also the significant risk of continued flash flooding in the Greater Sydney, Upper Hunter, Illawarra and South Coast areas from today and into the weekend," Ms Scofield said.

"So I'm really urging residents to stay up to date with the local weather and warning information and stay safe."

Water is spilling at Warragamba Dam, which was already at capacity before the latest burst of rain began.

"This is a highly dynamic situation," SES Acting Commissioner Daniel Austin said.

"These events are moving exceptionally quickly as was witnessed in the Illawarra this morning ... in the space of about three-quarters of an hour significant downpours, significant flash flooding, and a number of properties impacted by those flash events."

The SES has responded to almost 700 requests for assistance and had carried out 25 rescues by lunchtime Thursday, the majority for people caught out by flash flooding.

Flooding led to the urgent closure of several schools in Sydney's south and the Illawarra on Thursday, including Stanwell Park Primary, Dapto High School, Kanahooka High School, Kurnell Public School, Terara Public School, and Woronora River Public School.

On Friday, at least 23 schools will be closed due to severe weather, the Department of Education said, with another 13 schools teaching classes at different sites.

Schools closed on Friday include multiple Camden schools in southwest Sydney, Fairy Meadow Public School in the Wollongong area, Mount Kembla Public School in the Illawarra, and Weilmoringle Public School near the Queensland border.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun told Sydney radio 2GB there was a sense of deja vu in the area following flooding last month.

"We know what's going to happen, we just hope it won't get worse than last time," Mr Mannoun said.

The rain is expected to ease on Friday but the flood risk will remain into the weekend.

© AAP 2022

Victorians living with a disability will soon be able to receive free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.

Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the RATs would be available from Saturday at current testing sites and through Disability Liaison Officers.

Residents will need some evidence of eligibility, such as an NDIS statement, to collect the tests.

Each person will be able to collect up to 20 free RATs at a time.

Australian of the Year and disability advocate Dylan Alcott was part of the announcement, saying the free RATs would help ensure those with a disability could live their lives in a safe way.

The announcement comes as the state recorded 12,314 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths on Thursday.

The health department has clarified there are 315 people in hospital with the virus, rather than the 283 reported on Thursday morning.

The department said the mistake was due to a health service reporting error.

There are still 12 Victorians in ICU and two people on ventilators.

© AAP 2022