The Top 3 COVID-19 Variants in Australia Right Now: What You Need to Know
, by Tatianna Gerard, 17 min reading time
As we settle into 2025, it’s clear that COVID-19 hasn’t completely left the stage. While things are far more manageable than they were a few years ago, the virus is still evolving — and that means new variants continue to pop up. In Australia right now, particularly in New South Wales (NSW), there are three main strains making the rounds: LP.8.1, XEC, and KP.3.
The latest one gaining attention is LP.8.1, which has quickly become more common across the state. In fact, it now makes up close to one in five COVID-19 cases in NSW.
If you’ve heard of Omicron before — and let’s be real, most of us have — LP.8.1 is actually a descendant of it. Omicron was the variant that spread globally in late 2021, known for being highly transmissible, though generally less severe than earlier strains like Delta. Since then, Omicron has splintered into multiple offshoots. LP.8.1 is one of them, carrying some changes that might affect how easily it spreads or how well our immune systems recognise it.
So should you be worried? Not necessarily — but it’s worth understanding what’s circulating, especially if you’re in a higher-risk group or care for someone who is. In this article, we’ll break down what we know so far about the three dominant variants in Australia — LP.8.1, XEC, and KP.3 — including how they’re different, what symptoms they may cause, and what (if anything) you need to do about them.
LP.8.1 – The new variant on the rise
LP.8.1 is currently the most talked-about COVID-19 variant in Australia — and for good reason. It’s been steadily increasing in NSW, now making up nearly 20% of reported cases in the state.
Where does LP.8.1 come from?
LP.8.1 is part of the Omicron family — specifically, it’s a sub-lineage of KP.1.1.3, which itself is descended from JN.1, a well-known Omicron variant that circulated widely throughout late 2023 and early 2024. If that sounds like a lot of letters and numbers, don’t worry — the takeaway here is that LP.8.1 shares a lot of similarities with the Omicron variants we’ve seen before, especially in terms of how it spreads and behaves.
What makes it different?
What stands out about LP.8.1 is the number and type of changes it carries in its spike protein — the part of the virus responsible for attaching to human cells. Scientists have identified mutations at six different positions in this spike protein, which can affect how the virus behaves inside the body.
Lab studies on virological and antigenic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants have shown that LP.8.1 has exceptionally high ACE2 binding affinity — meaning it attaches more strongly to the receptors on our cells. It also displays a high level of immune evasion, making it better at slipping past the body’s existing defences, including those from previous infections or vaccinations. These features are similar to what’s been observed in another variant, XEC. Read more about the XEC variant here.
That said, LP.8.1 may actually have slightly lower overall infectivity compared to JN.1, which could influence how quickly it spreads in the community.
What about symptoms?
So far, there’s no indication that LP.8.1 causes more severe symptoms than other Omicron variants. The most commonly reported symptoms include:
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Sore throat
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Nasal congestion
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Fatigue
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Cough
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Headache
For most healthy people, it’s manageable — but for those with existing health conditions, it can still pose risks.
Should you be concerned?
At this stage, the World Health Organization has listed LP.8.1 as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM). That means it's on the radar due to its mutations and rise in cases, but there’s no current evidence that it causes more severe illness or increased hospitalisations.
XEC
Alongside LP.8.1, another variant drawing interest in Australia is XEC. It’s also growing rapidly in other parts of the world and remains one of the key SARS-CoV-2 variants under monitoring.
What is XEC and where did it come from?
XEC is what scientists call a recombinant variant, which simply means it formed when two different Omicron subvariants — KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 — combined their genetic material. This kind of mixing happens when someone is infected with both strains at the same time, and the virus essentially "splices" parts together.
Based on the report by the WHO, as of December 2024, XEC was the only SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring showing consistent growth globally, with sequences detected in over 50 countries.
What makes XEC different?
One of the main reasons scientists are watching XEC closely is because it has these key traits:
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High ACE2 binding affinity, meaning it attaches well to our cells.
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Strong immune evasion, including the ability to partially dodge antibodies from prior infection or vaccination.
These features come from specific mutations like T22N and Q493E, which affect the spike protein — the part of the virus that helps it enter human cells. The mutation at T22N, for instance, is thought to change the virus’s structure in a way that helps it escape immune detection.
While this might sound a little unsettling, the good news is that current vaccines (especially JN.1- or KP.2-based boosters) are still expected to offer protection against the XEC — even if neutralisation isn’t quite as strong compared to earlier strains.
What symptoms does it cause?
So far, symptoms of XEC are fairly typical of Omicron subvariants:
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Mild respiratory symptoms (nasal congestion, sore throat, dry cough)
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Fatigue or muscle aches
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Headache
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Occasional fever
These tend to be mild in most healthy individuals, but for older adults or people with chronic illnesses, infections can still lead to complications.
Should you be concerned?
At this stage, XEC is still considered low risk at a global level. Based on WHO’s evaluation, there’s no evidence that it causes more severe illness or results in higher hospitalisation rates than other circulating Omicron strains.
That said, its growth advantage (estimated to be 13% higher than KP.3.1.1) means it could become more prominent — especially in areas where other variants are declining. So, while it’s not a major cause for alarm, it is worth keeping an eye on, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.
KP.3 - Also known as FluQE
KP.3 has had its moment in the global spotlight and is still circulating here in Australia. Earlier in 2024, it rose quickly in parts of the world like the United States, where it made up a significant share of COVID-19 cases. While its numbers have since declined, it remains one of the three dominant variants currently present in Australia.
Where does KP.3 come from?
KP.3 is a descendent of JN.1, part of the broader Omicron family, and is grouped under the informal FLiRT category. This group includes several variants that share key spike protein mutations, particularly F456L and R346T — though KP.3 itself doesn’t carry both, it still behaves similarly enough to be considered part of that family tree.
It’s worth noting that the WHO has its own naming system for variants, often using combinations of letters and numbers to track them. Variants that result from recombinations — when two strains merge — typically start with an “X”, such as XBB. The letters that follow indicate which lineages were involved. Since KP.3 is not a recombinant, it doesn’t follow this naming pattern — which sets it apart from variants like XEC.
What makes KP.3 stand out?
KP.3 includes spike protein mutations like:
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F456L, which may contribute to immune evasion, helping it bypass some of the body’s existing defences.
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Q493E, a mutation that may help the virus bind more effectively to the ACE2 receptor, which it uses to enter human cells.
These changes made KP.3 particularly good at spreading earlier in the year, although it’s been somewhat overshadowed now by newer variants like LP.8.1 and XEC.
What symptoms does it cause?
KP.3 often triggers symptoms that resemble a mild case of the flu, just like the other COVID-19 variants before it. Reported symptoms include:
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Low-grade fever
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Sore throat
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Mild cough
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Nasal congestion or runny nose
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Fatigue
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Headache
As with other Omicron variants, symptoms are usually manageable for most people but can still be more serious for older adults or those with chronic health issues.
Comparative overview of dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants in Australia (2025)
Here's a comparative overview table to summarise the key characteristics of LP.8.1, XEC, and KP.3.
Final thoughts: Looking after your own wellbeing helps protect others too
In conclusion, LP.8.1, XEC, and KP.3 are all Omicron-related variants, and their symptoms are largely the same: sore throat, congestion, fatigue, mild cough, and sometimes a fever.
But here’s the tricky part — those symptoms aren’t exclusive to COVID-19. Respiratory illnesses like influenza and RSV can feel very similar, especially in the early stages. So, how do you know what you’re dealing with? Thanks to recent innovations, there are now rapid antigen tests that can detect all three viruses in one go. If you want clarity and peace of mind, you can explore our 3-in-1 combo rapid antigen tests available at Aussie Pharma Direct — a convenient way to quickly identify whether you’re dealing with COVID-19, flu, or RSV, especially during peak seasons.
These are the top rapid antigen tests available to consider:
Importantly, there’s no current evidence that any of these three variants cause more severe illness than earlier Omicron strains. That said, just because the risk of severe disease is considered low doesn’t mean we should let our guard down — especially when we consider how quickly these variants can spread and how they can still pose a real threat to people who are vulnerable or immunocompromised.
So what can you do? Keeping yourself and your community safe doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are a few simple hygiene and wellness tips that still go a long way:
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Wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. The best mask options are P2 masks or N95 masks as they provide higher filtration against pathogens and airborne particles. Shop P2/N95 face masks at Aussie Pharma Direct.
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Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — especially after being in public places, coughing, or sneezing. When soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitiser to keep your hands clean.
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Keep a comfortable distance from others if you're feeling unwell — or if they are.
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Sanitise and disinfect surfaces you use regularly, especially in shared spaces.
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Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support your immune system.
It doesn’t take much to stay ahead — a bit of knowledge and a few healthy habits can make all the difference for you and your community.
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