Get a COVID-19 test

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

You should get a test:

• 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.

Where to get rapid antigen tests (RATs)

Free RATs are available from your local council, so now all Victorians can plan ahead by keeping some at home for testing if you have COVID symptoms.

At your local council you can collect:

• 2 packs of 5 RATs
• an extra 2 packs for each person in your household
• people with disability and their carers can get 4 packs of 5 RATs.

You are not required to have a Medicare card.

You can collect RATs as many times as you need. If you run out of RATs, you can collect more to make sure you are prepared.

You can also buy RATs at supermarkets, pharmacies, and other retailers.

After your rapid antigen test (RAT)

If your RAT 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 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.

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.

PCR testing

To get a PCR test:

• Visit your GP. They 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 from your GP, go to a pathology collection centre. Your GP should be able to tell you where your closest one is. Don’t forget to take the referral from your GP with you.
• Visit a GP respiratory clinic. If the GP at the GP respiratory clinic thinks you need a PCR test, they will do the test for you during your appointment.

In some circumstances, 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 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.

Testing advice for different situations

I have symptoms but have tested negative on a RAT.

Stay at home until your symptoms go away.

Take a RAT each day, over the next several days while you have symptoms.

You should visit a GP respiratory clinic or see a GP about a referral to a pathology collection clinic for a PCR test if you:

• are aged 70 and over
• have a weakened immune system
• have a disability
• are 30 and above, and identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

I need to get a test for a medical procedure.

Follow the instructions given to you by your GP or surgeon.

I am about to go overseas.

Contact a private pathology centre for a pre-departure international travel test. Fees may apply.

See the links below for private pathology centres offering COVID-19 travel testing:

• 4Cyte Pathology
• Australian Clinical Labs
• Dorevitch Pathology (with Healius pathology)
• Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology
• Histopath Diagnostic Specialists
• Melbourne Pathology

Find out about travel to Australia and overseas.

I have recently been in isolation with COVID-19.

You should stay at home for at least 5 days and until you no longer have symptoms.

You should take a rapid antigen test (RAT) before:

• attending a workplace
• 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.

If you took COVID antiviral medicine and test positive again, this could be due to 'treatment rebound'. You should continue to stay at home and avoid sensitive settings or people at higher risk of severe illness until you test negative.