Scott Morrison announces free rapid antigen tests for 6m Aussies

Concession cardholders will get free rapid antigen tests after Scott Morrison overhauled the country’s testing regime.

Six million eligible Australians will get free rapid antigen tests after Prime Minister Scott Morrison overhauled the country’s testing regime while still refusing to bow down to calls that they should be free for everyone.

Wednesday’s lengthy national cabinet meeting delivered sweeping changes, including approving nationwide access to 10 free rapid antigen tests over a three-month period for concession cardholders.

Scott Morrison after the National Cabinet meeting at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

In another major change, people who return a positive RAT will no longer need a PCR test to confirm they are positive to Covid-19, and the states have been tasked to develop their own systems to record the positive RAT results.

“We also agreed today to remove the requirement for a PCR test to confirm a positive rapid antigen test result,” Mr Morrison said.

More than 6.6 million Australians, who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, a healthcare card, a low-income card, pension concession card, and white or gold DVA cards, will be eligible to pick up the free tests from pharmacies but are limited to five per month.

The free kits are set to be rolled out in the next fortnight and the bill will be split between the states and Commonwealth.

“Universal free access to tests was not agreed by any of the states and territories today, or the Commonwealth. I make that very clear,” he said.

The Commonwealth has ­secured another 20 million RATs and will supply 10 million to each state for “point of care” testing.

After weeks of a supply crunch, the Prime Minister ­reassured the country that more than 200 million RATs were heading to Australia.

Mr Morrison also abandoned testing requirements from a suite of settings to “take pressure off” buckling PCR testing lines.

“A seven-day rolling test that is required for truck drivers – that will be removed,” he said.

“You will not be required to get a Covid test in order to enter the hospital to receive treatment. You will likely be given one when you are there.”

The PM said the government will work with the private hospital and GP sector to “discourage” pre-testing requirements for people who are not symptomatic or a close contact.

All states and territories barring WA, have also agreed to work towards removing the requirement for a negative RAT result for interstate travel from hot spots, and international travellers will no longer need to get a second test after arriving in Australia.

Queensland has agreed to dispense with the requirement when they hit a 90 per cent double vaccination rate while Tasmania will make its announcement in the coming week.

As NSW recorded 35,054 cases on Wednesday, Mr Morrison said the national cabinet had agreed to provide more “qualitative” information on Covid-19 hospitalisations including underlying health conditions to give a clearer picture of the virus’s true toll.

Mr Morrison said the government would work with the private hospital and GP sector to “discourage” pre-testing requirements for people who are not symptomatic or a close contact.

Mr Morrison said Attorneys General will also assess workplace health and safety requirements to ease employee testing requirements for businesses.

“Employers are concerned that under those OHS rules that they have to require their staff to be tested in order to meet those obligations. We will be working to ensure that obligation will not be required,” he said.

Pharmacies and supermarkets will implement sales limits on the country’s most popular commodity, with the government looking to introduce jail terms of up to five years and fines of up to $66,000 for anyone who charges 20 per cent more than the regular price of RATs.

Export controls will also be brought in to stop people from selling tests for exorbitant prices online and sending them overseas.