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Australia's high commissioner to Tonga has described the damage from a tsunami in the Pacific nation as catastrophic, as more disaster relief supplies arrive.

Rachael Moore said the underwater volcanic eruption and following tsunami had led to large amounts of buildings being wiped out on small islands.

"Through the region, these places are devastated, they're described as a moonscape," she told ABC Radio on Thursday.

"We've seen reporting of zero houses remaining on some of the small islands and along the western beaches. There's a moonscape where there were once beautiful resorts and many, many homes."

It comes as Australia is set to send two C-17 planes with humanitarian supplies to Tonga that will arrive later on Thursday afternoon.

The HMAS Adelaide is also ready to be deployed from Brisbane either on Thursday or Friday, loaded with humanitarian and disaster relief supplies, along with critical equipment to help recovery efforts.

It's expected the voyage to Tonga will take five days, and the ship will serve as a base for relief work.

Ms Moore said freshwater contamination in the country following the tsunami had caused significant issues.

"Water is an extremely high priority here and it's something the government is working on, and development partners here are working closely with them on ensuring that they have what they need," she said.

After several days of limited access, phone communications have been restored in Tonga, allowing residents to get in touch with family abroad.

However, internet connections will still take longer to repair after an underwater cable was severed.

It's expected the repair of the cable will take several weeks.

Volcanic ash, which has covered parts of the country, has hampered efforts. Crews have had to wait for ash to be removed from the country's airport before supplies can land.

Complicating matters was Tonga's border measures due to the pandemic, which have kept the Pacific nation COVID-free.

Disaster relief efforts are expected to be led by locals on the ground in order to avoid a spread of virus cases on top of the tsunami damage.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison managed to speak with his counterpart Siaosi Sovaleni on Wednesday afternoon and said Australia's priority remained delivering assistance in a COVID-free manner.

"I reassured him that Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with the Kingdom of Tonga as it responds to the undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami," Mr Morrison said.

"I conveyed Australia's deep sadness for the loss of life and the damage caused by the disaster, and wished those injured a speedy recovery."

© AAP 2022

The first two oral treatments for COVID-19 have been approved for use in Australia by the country's medical regulator.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has granted provisional approval to the Pfizer-made Paxlovid, along with Lagevrio, made by pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp and Dohme.

The treatments will be able to be used in adults with COVID-19 who do not require additional oxygen but are at risk of hospitalisation or death from the virus.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the new treatments will be used alongside other COVID-19 treatment options.

"(The treatments) have been found to be effective in treating people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who have a high risk of progressing to severe disease, reducing admission to hospital and ICU and potential death," Mr Hunt said.

"These oral antiviral treatments need a prescription and are taken every 12 hours for five days. They are designed to interfere with the virus's ability to multiply."

The medical regulator said the treatment, however, is not a substitute for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The federal government has secured 500,000 courses of Paxlovid and 300,000 courses of Lagevrio.

It's expected the first deliveries of the treatments will be made in coming weeks.

Both oral treatments have already been approved for use by the US and UK health authorities.

Mr Hunt said the new treatments won't be used for everyone who contracts COVID-19.

"These treatments will be of most benefit for people most at risk of severe disease and through the oversight from a healthcare professional," he said.

"We are working to target access to those most vulnerable, including the elderly and those in aged care."

Merck Sharp and Dohme medical director Gary Jankelowitz said the provisional approval of Lagevrio was a major achievement in the fight against COVID-19.

"Lagevrio has the potential to help address a medical need in the community," he said.

"The provisional approval of this oral anti-viral treatment for COVID-19 in eligible at-risk adults is a regulatory milestone."

© AAP 2022

Hobart insist they can shrug off Glenn Maxwell's demolition job as a one-off and rebound for the BBL finals after the biggest loss in their history.

The Hurricanes will face Adelaide in an eliminator on Friday night, less than 48 hours after being thumped by 106 runs by the Melbourne Stars.

Hobart were left stunned by Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 154, with both his score and the Stars' 2-273 the biggest in the competition's history.

Ben McDermott labelled Maxwell's innings as the "most incredible thing" he'd ever seen on a cricket field, while Hobart barely bothered trying to chase the score down.

Working in their favour, however, is the fact they will have close to a fresh bowling attack, with Scott Boland, Riley Meredith and Tom Rogers all rested.

Yet Sandeep Lamichhane will be unavailable as he leaves to play for Nepal after being one of eight Hurricanes bowlers to go at more than 10 an over in Wednesday night's drubbing.

"We have to take it as it is. He (Maxwell) played really well and we're missing three bowlers we rested," McDermott said.

"If we needed to win the game to make finals, it's probably a lot more aggressive (approach in reply).

"But we just tried to set ourselves up for finals.'

The Hurricanes' loss was the seventh biggest in Big Bash history, while the Stars' total was the third highest in all franchise and international T20 cricket worldwide.

Adelaide and Hobart both claimed seven-wicket wins over each other during the season.

The match will also be played on neutral ground, with Cricket Australia announcing the first three finals matches will all be played in Melbourne.

Minor-premiers Perth will face Sydney Sixers in Saturday night's qualifier, with the winner to progress straight through to the grand final.

The Sydney Thunder will then meet the winner of Adelaide and Hobart in a knockout match, with the victor in that to face off against the loser of Perth and the Sixers for a spot in the grand final.

The winner of the Perth-Sixers match will also earn the right to host the grand final, be it at the SCG or Marvel Stadium as the Scorchers' designated home while locked out of Western Australia.

Next Wednesday's challenger, which is effectively a preliminary final, will also be able to be played as a home match for the higher-ranked team.

BIG BASH FINALS SERIES:

ELIMINATOR: Adelaide v Hobart at MCG

QUALIFIER: Perth v Sydney Sixers at Marvel

KNOCKOUT: Sydney Thunder v Winner of Eliminator at MCG

CHALLENGER: Loser of Qualifier v Winner of Knockout at top-ranked team's home

FINAL: Winner of Qualifier v Winner of Challenger at top-ranked team's home.

© AAP 2022