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More than 34 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered to Australians, as the nation's most populous states sprint towards major vaccine milestones.

As Victoria's capital enjoys its first weekend out of lockdown, the state has passed its 90 per cent first dose target among those aged 16 and over, with 73.1 per cent fully vaccinated.

Victoria could hit 80 per cent full vaccination in less than a week, which will allow for more freedoms.

Some 93 per cent of NSW residents aged over 16 have received their first dose of a vaccine, with 84.4 per cent fully vaccinated.

However health authorities in both states are encouraging fully vaccinated people to continue to come forward for testing if they experience any coronavirus symptoms.

NSW Health's Jeremy McAnulty said vaccination was "very effective" but not perfect, and breakthrough infections may still occur.

The ACT leads the way as the most-vaccinated jurisdiction, with 86 per cent of residents aged over 12 now fully vaccinated, as Canberra's retailers enjoy their first weekend of trading in months.

Meanwhile, Western Australia and Queensland continue to lag behind in the vaccine rollout.

The Sunshine State passed 60 per cent full vaccination in over-16s on Saturday, while WA is sitting at 58.9 per cent.

WA Health Minister Roger Cook hit back at the "language of us being laggards", as he predicted the state will hit 80 per cent double-dosed by mid-December.

"We're doing great work in Western Australia and now we need to continue to do more," he said.

Asked if the state's borders will open by December 25, Mr Cook said he did not want to "spoil Christmas" by making "dangerous decisions".

"We're looking at early in the new year in relation to relying less on our border controls," he said.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has flagged plans for the island state to reopen its borders, with travellers permitted from December 15.

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Halloween enthusiasts in NSW are being warned to keep trick-or-treating COVID-safe to avoid getting the fright of a COVID-19 diagnosis.

"If you and your family are planning to celebrate Halloween this year ... aim to keep the celebrations outside, provide closed packaging for treats, and instead of communal lolly bowls consider other ways to distribute your treats," said NSW Health's Jeremy McAnulty in a video statement on Saturday.

"For example, along the front fence of the house or hidden in the front yard."

Dr McAnulty suggested families should put their efforts towards decorating their front yards and staying in the neighbourhood rather than travelling further afield.

Kids shouldn't be sharing costume masks and their parents should check if they've got symptoms before heading out, he said.

The state reported 332 new cases on Saturday, as well as two deaths.

Cases continue to surge in the Hunter New England area, which had the highest number of infections of any health district.

Some 78 new cases were diagnosed there in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday, above the seven-day average of 63.7 for the area.

The state's hospital numbers continue to fall steadily, now at 469 from 482 the previous day.

Some 123 people are in intensive care, of whom the vast bulk - 96 - are unvaccinated.

Eighteen people have received one shot and nine both.

As children in most year groups prepare for a return to school on Monday, vaccination rates in the 12- to 15-year age bracket are rising.

Some 77.59 per cent have received one dose and 48.83 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Of those aged 16 and up, 93 per cent have received at least one jab and 84.4 both.

Dr McAnulty reported that since restrictions eased in recent weeks there has been likely transmission in high-risk indoor venues, like bars and gyms.

It is a reminder to keep adhering to COVID-safe practices, even for the fully-vaccinated, he said.

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NSW has added a further 296 locally acquired infections to its COVID-19 caseload along with four more deaths.

Some 480 people with the virus remain in hospitals across the state, 119 of them in intensive care.

Health officials say almost 67,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday.

More than 93 per cent of NSW residents aged 16 or over have now received at least one vaccine dose, while 84.4 per cent have had both jabs.

Meanwhile, Halloween enthusiasts are being warned to keep trick-or-treating COVID-safe.

"If you and your family are planning to celebrate Halloween this year ... aim to keep the celebrations outside, provide closed packaging for treats and instead of communal lolly bowls consider other ways to distribute your treats," NSW Health's Jeremy McAnulty advised on Saturday.

"For example, along the front fence of the house or hidden in the front yard."

Dr McAnulty suggests families put their efforts towards decorating front yards and staying in the neighbourhood rather than travelling further afield.

Kids shouldn't be sharing costume masks and their parents should check if they've got symptoms before heading out, he says.

The state reported 332 new cases on Saturday, as well as two deaths.

Cases continue to surge in the Hunter New England area, which, to Friday evening, had the highest number of new infections of any health district with 78.

The state's hospital numbers continue to steadily fall, having dropped from 482 to 469 on Saturday.

Some 123 NSW residents were in intensive care at the beginning of the weekend, of whom the vast bulk - 96 - were unvaccinated. Eighteen people had received one shot and nine both.

As children in most year groups prepare for a return to school on Monday, vaccination rates in the 12- to 15-year age bracket are rising.

Some 77.59 per cent have received one dose and 48.83 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Of those aged 16 and up, 93 per cent have received at least one jab and 84.4 both.

Dr McAnulty says since restrictions eased in recent weeks there has been likely transmission in high-risk indoor venues, such as bars and gyms.

He says it's a reminder to keep adhering to COVID-safe practices, even for the fully vaccinated.

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Dominic Perrottet says he's confident the return of students and teachers to schools throughout NSW will go well despite the potential for COVID-19 outbreaks.

"We brought forward the date for most schooling to return tomorrow. That's exciting for the kids and for the parents and also for the teachers," the premier told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.

"We've also said there will be challenges along the way. We know that, we've had a number of schools close but the alternative is to keep all schools closed.

"We're not doing that."

Asked about reports up to 160 schools throughout NSW had staffing issues as students returned, Mr Perrottet said he was aware there would be some shortages.

However 95 per cent of the state's teachers had been vaccinated.

"I want to thank them for doing that because vaccination of our teachers has allowed us to open our schools as quickly as possible," he said.

"We need our kids back learning again, we need our kids socialising and getting back to the school environment.

"I'm very confident that it will go well."

The premier's comments came as the state added 296 locally acquired infections to its COVID-19 caseload along with four deaths: two men in their 60s, one in his 70s and one in his 80s.

Three were unvaccinated and one fully vaccinated.

There have been 498 COVID-related deaths in NSW since June 16 and 554 in total since the start of the pandemic.

Some 480 people with the virus remain in NSW hospitals, 119 of them in intensive care and 67 of those in need of ventilation.

Health officials say almost 67,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday.

More than 93 per cent of NSW residents aged 16 or over have now received at least one vaccine dose, while 84.4 per cent have had both jabs.

Among 12-15-year-olds, 77.6 per cent have had their first dose and 48.8 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Pressed on the issue of teaching shortages, Mr Perrottet said education officials were working through a range of scenarios.

"There will always be teachers and people across our state who just decide not to get vaccinated," he said.

"That's their choice. We believe it's a bad choice but ultimately, that success rate of 95 per cent has helped us get our kids back in the classroom."

Meanwhile, Halloween enthusiasts are being warned to keep trick-or-treating COVID-safe next weekend.

"If you and your family are planning to celebrate Halloween this year ... aim to keep the celebrations outside, provide closed packaging for treats and instead of communal lolly bowls consider other ways to distribute your treats," NSW Health's Jeremy McAnulty advised on Saturday.

© AAP 2021