The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and a slew of major banks have linked scamming activity relating to COVID-19 payments provided by both state and federal governments.

According to the ACCC, 69 cases of COVID-19 payments have already been recorded and in four cases, more than $37,000 was stolen.

Those living in Sydney's coronavirus hotspots are waking up to their first day under a curfew and all of NSW must now wear masks outside their homes, as tougher lockdown measures take effect.

Following two consecutive days of COVID-19 case numbers over 800, a raft of new public health rules began at 12:01am on Monday.

Further inquiries are underway to identify people who gathered at the Queensland-NSW border on Sunday to protest changes to entry requirements between the states, including a man on a large white horse.

Victorian authorities strongly suspect the Shepparton cluster had spawned the outbreak at Royal Melbourne Hospital that's so far infected seven people - a mix of patients, staff and one visitor.

She said it was believed a visitor to the hospital was infected by a Shepparton man who underwent surgery on August 12.

Federal parliament will sit for a fortnight from Monday.

The merit of Australia's 20-year mission in Afghanistan is expected to be debated in the lower house on Monday, as the government seeks to rescue hundreds of Australians and visa holders out of Taliban-held Kabul.

The government has prioritised national security laws, disability support reform and changes to the way elections are run on its legislation program.

Overseas, the Taliban have fired in the air and used batons to force people desperate to flee Afghanistan to form orderly queues outside Kabul airport, a day after seven people were killed in a crush at the gates.

A NATO official said at least 20 people have died in the past seven days in and around the airport. Some were shot and others died in stampedes, witnesses have said.

The three NRL expansion hopefuls will have a last chance to impress on Monday.

Representatives of the Redcliffe Dolphins, Brisbane Jets and Brisbane Firehawks are set to make one-hour presentations to the NRL expansion committee in Brisbane.