* Violence has erupted at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance after a tense stand-off between protesters and police, with Victorian veterans dubbing the occupation of the site "disgraceful and disrespectful".

* Several hundred demonstrators - initially protesting mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for the construction sector - returned to the city for a third day on Wednesday despite Melbourne's stay-at-home orders and a warning from authorities.

* An order for all Victorian teachers and childcare workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been backed by the sector's unions.

* Victoria recorded 628 new coronavirus cases and three more deaths on Wednesday, the highest daily tally in the current outbreak.

* NSW reported 1035 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and five deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.

* Another four regions across the state are due to be released from lockdown after going at least one week without further COVID-19 cases.

* Canberra recorded 17 new local infections.

* A NSW truck driver who visited Western Australia last week has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting public warnings over exposure sites.

* Almost one in five children aged 12 to 15 have received a first COVID-19 vacicne dose in the eight days since they were included in the rollout.

* Meanwhile, lockdown restrictions have eased slightly in Auckland, with the city's residents again able to go to school, buy takeaways and more.

SPORT:

* West Australian authorities say there is no change to plans for the AFL grand final to go ahead in Perth on Saturday after a truck driver tested positive to COVID-19.

* Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has warned NRL players could have their contracts torn up if they refuse a COVID-19 vaccine, saying they may be unable to fulfil their obligations as employees.

AUSTRALIAN VACCINATION NUMBERS:

* There have been 25,445,232 doses administered in the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout up to Tuesday, including 332,010 in the previous 24 hours.

* Of the total, 14,611,685 have been administered by the Commonwealth (an increase of 198,874 in the previous 24 hours).

* 13,677,534 have been issued in primary care (+189,167) and 934,151 in aged and disability facilities (+9,707).

* 10,833,547 have been administered by the states and territories, including 133,136 in the previous 24 hours.

AUSTRALIAN CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS:

* Australia reported 1681 local cases on Tuesday: 1035 in NSW, 628 in Victoria, 17 in the ACT and one in Queensland.

* No overseas-acquired cases were reported.

* The national death toll is 1186: NSW 316, Victoria 836, Tasmania 13, WA 9, Queensland 7, SA 4, ACT 3. (Two Queensland residents who died in NSW have been included in the official tolls of both states).

GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS:

* Cases: at least 229,563,000.

* Deaths: at least 4,709,000.

* Vaccine doses administered: at least 5,966,557,000.

Data current as at 1800 AEST on September 22, taking in federal and state/territory government updates and Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre figures.

Australian Associated Press