How to get a free rapid antigen test in Australia

As case numbers around the country continue to skyrocket, rapid tests were made free for millions of eligible Aussies. Here’s how to get one.

Rapid antigen tests are to Omicron what toilet paper was to Australia’s first (and second) Covid-19 waves.

Stock is flying off the shelves and there’s rampant price gouging.

As case numbers around the country continue to skyrocket, RATs were this week made free for millions of eligible Australians.

But how can you get one – and what can you use it for? Find out everything you need to know below.

Rapid antigen tests were this week made free for millions of eligible Australians. Picture: Dean Martin

What can I use a rapid antigen test for?

Pretty much all testing requirements now — if you take a RAT and it comes back positive, you no longer need to follow up with a PCR test to confirm the result.

Instead, you will begin your seven day isolation period.

Different states have announced means of reporting your positive RAT, with initial advice from Prime Minister Scott Morrison to let your health provider know.

In Victoria, it’s mandatory to report a positive result to the DHHS, either by phone or in an online form where you’ll be asked nine questions to determine your risk level and what support you might need.

It will also be mandatory to report your result in South Australia and Queensland.

As for NSW, you’ll be required to register the result through Service NSW via a system that will be available from the middle of next week.

Where can I get a rapid antigen test?

Chemists, supermarkets and other retailers all sell RATs — the difficult part is actually getting your hands on one, with stock selling out within hours in most instances as soon as it hits shelves.

Testing clinics also have them available for free if you need to get tested.

A handy tool, though, is the new ‘Find a RAT’ website, developed by Matt Hayward from software agency PipeLabs, which allows people to access data on which chemists and supermarkets in their local area have stock available.

Currently, the website’s data is crowdsourced from user reports, who are able to mark a store green for “in stock”, orange for “low stock”, or red for “no stock”.

Users can search via postcode to find local data.

Who can get a free rapid antigen test?

National Cabinet agreed this week to extend the availability of free RATs to millions of Australians.

This means that as well as people required to get a test — either because they’re a close contact or they’re symptomatic and their testing hub gives them a RAT rather than a PCR swab — concession card holders will also be able to get one for free.

A concession card holder is someone who holds either a pension concession card; Commonwealth seniors healthcare card; DVA gold, white or orange card; health care card; or low income card.

What comes in a RAT kit. Picture: Ian Currie

But the rules do differ — under the new scheme, concession card holders can access up to 10 free RATs over three months, with a maximum of five in a single months.

The free tests will be available to pharmacies in the next fortnight.

“You would go along to the chemist, they will give you one and then they will take your details,” Mr Morrison announced on Wednesday.

“They will obviously get your concession card details … and there will be a rebate system that works back to the pharmacy.”

If you’re a close contact, you must get a RAT on day six of your isolation. You can get that for free at a testing centre.

In the same vein, if you’re symptomatic and attend a testing centre, you may also be given a free RAT.

Close contacts and symptomatic people have been urged to seek out resources from testing hubs, rather than pharmacies or supermarkets.

A large queue of people outside a Melbourne pharmacy lining up for RATs. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Free tests in Tasmania

The Tasmanian government is working on distributing more tests free of charge.

The ABC reports free rapid tests have been distributed for people classified as close contacts at the Derwent Entertainment Centre and the Police Academy at Rokeby.

Nearly 10,000 were distributed in one day alone.

Public Health is reportedly establishing more distribution points at the Silverdome, Launceston, and the Sports Centre, Ulverstone.

However, the sites are not collection points for people who are asymptomatic or people that are not close contacts, according to state health secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks.

What to pay for a rapid antigen test?

Basically everyone else has to pay for a test.

Some health experts, officials and leaders, though, including Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, are continuing to call for the tests to be made free for all.

“The easiest and simplest way is to make free tests available for all just like PCR tests are available and free,” Mr Albanese said.

But Mr Morrison said at national cabinet’s meeting “universal free access was not considered the right policy by all of the states and territories in attendance today, and the Commonwealth”.

When would I need to get a PCR test instead?

There are some instances where you might still be recommended to get a PCR swab — the health advice remains that if you have Covid-19 symptoms, you should visit a testing centre (where you could be given either a PCR swab or a RAT).

Most requirements to have a PCR, however, have been removed to alleviate pressure on pathology labs.