COVIDSafe was 'sunscreen' for coronavirus, until it wasn't.

When it launched, COVIDSafe was marketed as Australia’s ticket out of lockdown, so long as everyone downloaded it. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at the time, “If you want to go outside when the sun is shining, you have got to put sunscreen on. This is the same thing.”

Two months later, state and territory health departments have not declared that the app identified any people exposed to COVID-19 who were not already found by traditional contact tracers.

As the app’s technical challenges emerged, public health experts questioned whether it distracts from the “real work” of controlling coronavirus. Julie Leask, a public health and infection disease specialist at Sydney University, noted that technologies are often presented as “knights in shining armour” during a pandemic.

She explained, “Humans tend to value something tangible more than the invisible human behaviours and public health capacities that are critical in controlling COVID-19.”

A Health Department spokesperson said all communications about COVIDSafe emphasize that the app is only one tool among many. “We highlight it alongside physical distancing, good hygiene, and the importance of staying home when unwell,” the spokesperson added.

The Risk of Complacency

As cases spike in Victoria, some experts fear that comparing the app to sunscreen could make Australians complacent. Adam Dunn, who leads biomedical informatics and digital health at the University of Sydney, explained that changing human behaviour is far more difficult than implementing a simple technical solution.

Holly Seale, a senior lecturer at UNSW’s School of Public Health and Community Medicine, noted that focusing on individual benefits may have raised unrealistic expectations. She suggested campaigns highlight the collective benefits of contact tracing.

“We are used to apps giving individual updates. This app doesn’t do that. However, collectively, it helps those on the ground,” she said.

Today, the Health Department uses the slogan “Stay COVID-free and do the 3” to encourage downloads, hygiene, and distancing. Following the launch, Prime Minister Morrison mentioned COVIDSafe 14 times in press conferences and interviews. In the past two weeks, he has mentioned it only once.

A Technical Quick Fix

Both the Government and media initially promoted a technical solution to lockdown as an attractive narrative. However, Dr Leask warned that the public received little evidence for the app’s effectiveness.

Modelling from the Sax Institute predicts a second wave of infections if social distancing and testing decline. The model suggests COVIDSafe could reduce infections, assuming uptake exceeds 60% of the population and the app functions as intended. Danielle Currie, senior simulation modeller at Sax, noted that even though these targets are unmet, the app’s promotion remains worthwhile. She added, “It could still prove useful in outbreak areas like Victoria.”

Other Options

Experts debate whether the millions spent on COVIDSafe could have been better allocated. Dr Leask calls for more funding in public health research, especially for messaging communities where English is not the first language.

Dr Dunn argued for more communication about the work of contact tracers and additional funding for their teams. Epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws suggested authorities enforce mask usage in public spaces, particularly where social distancing is impossible. Lidia Morawska emphasized the importance of ventilation in high-traffic indoor venues to reduce infection risk.

In conclusion, Dr Leask believes that Australia’s most effective COVID-19 solutions remain traditional public health measures. “Until vaccines or proven treatments exist, robust public health capacity, large contact-tracing teams, and well promoted testing will remain essential,” she said.

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