If you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild, you should get tested as soon as possible. Knowing whether you have COVID-19 can help you avoid spreading the virus to your friends, family and your community.
You can use a rapid antigen test to find out if you have COVID-19. The test can be used quickly and privately in your home.
You can buy rapid antigen tests in a range of places including pharmacies and supermarkets.
Free rapid antigen tests are available from pharmacies if you have one of these concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession card
- Commonwealth Senior Health Care card
- Health Care card
- Low Income Health Care card, or
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold, White or Orange cards.
Everyone with one of these concession cards can get up to 10 free rapid antigen tests from participating pharmacies over 3 months, with a maximum of 5 free rapid antigen tests per month.
A range of translated information about rapid antigen tests can be found on the Department of Health website, including:
- where to find rapid antigen tests
- how to use them
- how to read the results, and
- what to do if you test positive on a rapid antigen test.
The resources are available in up to 63 languages. They are written in easy-to-understand language and include images.
You can share them with your family and community.
To find out more about rapid antigen tests, or if you have COVID-19 and are worried about your symptoms, call the National Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 020 080, and press 8 if you need an interpreter. You can also visit www.health.gov.au.
