Get a COVID-19 test

How to test for COVID-19

Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are the easiest way to test for COVID-19.

You should take a RAT:

• if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if they’re very mild
• if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19
• before visiting a hospital, aged care facility, or disability care facility
• before visiting elderly people, people with disability or people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

COVID-19 can spread before you have symptoms. You can protect others by checking that you are negative before you leave home.

If you want a PCR test, visit a GP respiratory clinic or see a GP about a referral to a pathology collection centre.

Report your positive RAT result

Where to get a test

Use this map to find your closest:

• place to collect free rapid antigen test (RAT) kits. Choose 'Rapid antigen test kits available' in the advanced search
• GP respiratory clinic, for GP care and testing
• pathology collection centre that can test for COVID-19 if you have a GP referral.

Enter your postcode or suburb below, or search by site type. More places to collect RATs from local councils will be added here as they recieve stock.

How to use the map:

• Enter your postcode or suburb, or search by site type (for example, Rapid antigen test kits available).
• Click an icon to view a pop-up card with site information and contact details.
• Multiple sites in one area are shown by the numbered icon, press on the icon to zoom in.
• Make the map larger or smaller by scrolling, or using the minus or plus button in the bottom left corner.
• Move the map around by clicking and dragging.
• To view the listings in a table, click 'List view'.

PCR testing

To get a PCR test:

• Visit a GP or GP respiratory clinic. Your GP will decide if you need a PCR test based on your symptoms and medical conditions. They may give you a referral to a pathology collection centre.
• If you have a referral, go to a pathology collection centre. Use the map above to find your nearest centre for COVID-19 testing. Don’t forget to take the referral from your GP with you.

If the GP at the GP respiratory clinic thinks you need a PCR test, they will do the test for you during your appointment.

You may need to pay for your PCR test.

If you are eligible for COVID-19 medicine and you have symptoms, see a GP about a PCR test, even if your RAT result is negative. This is so you can get any help you need, including COVID-19 antiviral medicine, as quickly as possible. You should start taking COVID-19 antiviral medicine within 5 days of your symptoms starting.

After your test

After your rapid antigen test (RAT)

If your RAT is positive:

• report your positive result to the Department of Health
• follow the Checklist for COVID Cases, including staying home for at least 5 days or until you don’t have symptoms anymore
• check if you are eligible for COVID medicines.

If your RAT is negative:

• if you have symptoms, stay home until your symptoms go away
• take a RAT each day over the next several days while you have symptoms

RATs can detect COVID-19 more easily when repeated over successive days but will not detect other respiratory viruses, such as influenza.

After your PCR test

Go straight home and wait for your results. Your doctor or the clinic where you were tested will contact you by phone or SMS to tell you your results, regardless of if it is positive or negative.

You should get your test results within 2 days of being tested, but it sometimes takes longer. Contact your testing provider if you have not received your test results after 3 days.

If your PCR test is positive:

• follow the Checklist for COVID Cases, including staying home for at least 5 days or until you don’t have symptoms anymore
• check if you are eligible for COVID medicines

If your PCR test is negative:

• you should stay home until your symptoms go away to avoid spreading your illness

Proof of your COVID-19 result

If you need a letter or other document of your result (such as for travel, medical, work, or educational purposes) you should contact a GP, who can provide this.