Business, unions urge Covid-19 rapid antigen testing support

An alliance of unions and business groups is urging state and federal governments to introduce a funding scheme to bulk purchase Rapid Antigen Tests for small businesses.

Hutchinson Builders health and safety representative Steve Parkinson, left, and Incolink CEO Erik Locke with the rapid antigen test at Glenorchy. Picture: Chris Kidd

An alliance of business groups and unions is urging state and federal governments to introduce a funding scheme that will allow businesses to bulk-purchase rapid antigen tests in a bid to protect struggling industries and prevent labour shortages.

Composed of 10 organisations, including the ACTU and Pathology Technology Australia, a newly formed alliance has petitioned state and federal governments to establish an urgent funding program to help small- to medium-size businesses purchase RATs.

In a joint statement, the alliance said: “As large sections of the community move to a new phase of living with Covid-19, it is critical we keep workplaces safe and open … A funding mechanism for RATs could boost business confidence for struggling industries and protect supply chains that are already under severe pressure.”

While rapid antigen testing has already been introduced by several big businesses across Australia, including Coles and Woolworths, PTA’s chief executive Dean Whiting said small businesses had been left exposed.

“We know RATs have worked very effectively in large businesses, preventing major closures. They can afford the costs but if you have a business of 100 workers and each of them needs a RAT every three days, this is going to cost a business roughly $140,000 for six months. That’s a big hit.”

Modelling by the PTA suggests costs of a supervised RAT, with healthcare worker present, range from $18 to $49 each; an unsupervised test would cost approximately $20.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said Australia was “again lagging behind” the rest of the world, citing Singapore, the UK and several European countries where governments have already established funding mechanisms to deploy RATs in small businesses.