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More than six million Australians can now access rapid antigen tests for free — if they can find them on the shelves of notoriously low-stocked pharmacies.
Here's who's eligible and your guide to how to access yours.
Who can get a free rapid antigen test?
From today, people who hold any of the following concession cards can access up to 10 free rapid tests from pharmacies over the next three months:
- Pensioner concession card
- Commonwealth seniors healthcare card
- DVA gold, white or orange card
- Health care card
- Low-income card
The federal government says that covers more than 6 million Australians.
The broad general public is required to buy rapid antigen tests for personal use, however, anyone can get a free rapid test if they are required to receive one due to their isolation requirements — for example, if they are a close contact of a positive case.
However, those people should obtain their free rapid tests through testing clinics and not through pharmacies.
How can I get my free tests?
If you fit the above criteria for accessing free rapid tests, you can do so at your local pharmacy, subject to the tests being in stock.
You'll need to visit the pharmacy in person, or your carer or guardian can do it for you.
You'll have to present your concession card to the pharmacist, who will check your eligibility, record your details and check to ensure you haven't already received more tests than you are entitled to.
Under the program, you're allowed 10 free tests across three months (to April 30), receiving no more than five in a given month.
You can ask for up to five tests in a single visit, but it's up to the pharmacy to decide whether they have the stock to supply them.
You will receive a minimum of two tests per eligible person when you visit.
Are there enough rapid tests to go around?
If you've been to a pharmacy in the past month, you'll know obtaining a RAT is not always as easy as waltzing in and asking nicely.
Supply issues have plagued retailers across the country, and pharmacists have warned they may not be able to fill every request for free rapid tests.
However, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the shortage of tests will ease soon as more supplies arrive in Australia.
He says 16 million tests are expected to arrive at pharmacies between now and the end of January, with another 33 million set to be delivered next month.
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