The UK suffered badly at the beginning and as a result was very quick to vaccinate. Australia locked down early, didn't suffer nearly as much and has been much slower with the vaccine rollout.
The UK is making a mistake by opening up whilst only 70% are vaccinated, a gradual lifting of restrictions whilst the remainder of the population get their dose would have been more sensible. Realistically, with the slow vaccination rate in Australia, combined with local outbreaks and soaring infection rates in SE Asia, I can see Australia remaining close until next year at the earliest.