Where to find a rapid antigen test in NSW, ACT
Rapid antigen tests are in short supply across the state as health services continue to battle surging Covid case numbers. Find out where in NSW and the ACT you can still buy them.
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With Covid testing centres overwhelmed, Australians everywhere are desperately trying to get their hands on rapid antigen tests as Covid cases surge.
Pharmacies and supermarkets across NSW are struggling to fill the increasing demand as the overseas supply chains dry up.
One Sydney pharmacy said they sold more than 2000 tests in two hours during the Christmas break. Penrith 24 hour Pharmacy manager Marlie said the massive buyout cleaned out the store, and they haven’t been able to restock for three weeks despite ordering rapid antigen tests from numerous suppliers.
Like many pharmacies, the Penrith 24 hour Pharmacy is dependent on overseas suppliers – who are also facing enormous demand.
Marlie said the pharmacy, which is one of five pharmacies on the main street in Penrith, fielded 95 calls in a single hour from locals asking about rapid antigen tests.
“The phone has been non-stop,” she said.
“We’ve had to put more staff on to be able to cater to the amount of phone calls we’ve had.”
The story is the same at many pharmacies across the state, with larger chains like Chemist Warehouse installing an automated response to customer calls about RATs which instructs no information about rapid antigen tests will be provided over the phone.
Despite placing multiple orders for rapid antigen tests three weeks ago, Penrith 24 hour Pharmacy won’t receive their supplies for another two weeks, which is a concern for both customers and healthcare workers.
NSW Health said the department has procurement teams working constantly to secure an additional 50 million rapid antigen tests for delivery through February and March to ease the sky-high demand.
According to NSW Health, 15 million tests are expected to be delivered throughout the next seven days which will be prioritised for government workers, educators, and immunocompromised residents.
A secret military-like operation is also under way to get every student in the state’s public, Catholic and private schools access to rapid antigen tests (RATs) from the first week of term one. Scarce RATs have already been shipped to regional NSW from a secret warehouse in Western Sydney as part of the major logistic exercise designed to get the 2022 school year off to a smooth start amid the threat of Omicron.
In the meantime, keep an eye on our up-to-date guide to which the pharmacies and supermarkets around NSW have rapid antigen tests in stock.
GREATER SYDNEY
Apex Petroleum (Kemps Creek) – In Stock
Hurlstone Park Newsagency – In Stock
APEX (Villawood) – In Stock
The Loose Dozen (Marrickville) – In Stock
Apex Petroleum (Airds) – In Stock
IGA (Alexandria) – In Stock
Adore Compounding Pharmacy (Rozelle) – In Stock
APEX Petroleum (West Ryde) – In Stock
The Lott (Frenchs Forest) – In Stock
IGA Rosebery – In Stock
Newsxpress (Crows Nest) – In Stock
Northbridge Plaza News Agency – In Stock
Kirrawee Pharmacy – In Stock
Quay Pharmacy – In Stock
Where you’re most likely to find a RAT in NSW
393 Pharmacy (Mosman) – In Stock
Lucky Hands and Convenience (Rhodes) – In Stock
Chatime (St George Street) – In Stock
Ryde Respiratory Clinic – In Stock
Blue Cross Pharmacy Kingsgrove – In Stock
Lucky Hands and Convenience (Sutherland) – In Stock
WOLLONGONG/SOUTH COAST
Henley Cleanworld (Fairy Meadow) – In Stock
Ohana Home Thirroul – In Stock
NORTH COAST
Fone King (Tuggerah) – In Stock
Shell (Boolaroo) – In Stock
Metro Petroleum (Warners Bay) – In Stock
healthSAVE West Wyalong – In Stock
newsXpress Swansea – In Stock
Smokemart and Giftbox Lake Haven – In Stock
Smokemart and Giftbox Taree – In Stock
WESTERN NSW
Total Tools Wagga Wagga – In Stock
Smokemart and Giftbox Scone – In Stock
CANBERRA AND SURROUNDING AREA
Asian Provisions (Phillip) – In Stock
IGA Chapman – In Stock
T and E Asian Groceries – In Stock
7 Eleven Erindale – Low Stock
If your local pharmacy doesn’t have stock at the moment, they might be getting a shipment soon. For the most reliable areas with rapid antigen test supplies, follow our guide here.
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