Rapid Antigen Tests Gold Coast

Rapid Antigen tests Gold Coast will become part of Australia’s “living with COVID-19” scenario. Queenslanders are being encouraged to do more than one over a series of days to ensure there is no infection present.

With some Australians waiting several hours to get a free PCR test and several days to get the result, demand for rapid antigen tests has grown dramatically and prices have risen in turn.

 

When is Australia receiving more stock?

Gold Coast-based Hough Pharma imports rapid antigen tests from its manufacturing partner, Biohit Healthcare in China.

It has already provided 4.5 million quick tests to the NSW and Victorian markets since November and was ramping up its supply in Queensland amid surging local demand.

Hough Pharma head of operations Simone Robinson confirmed the extra supplies of its nasal swab rapid antigen tests would arrive “within weeks”.

“Now, we are working with Coles and Woolworths, in particular, and other key distributors to make sure that the market is fully serviced here in Queensland. We will be bringing in between 2 and 4 million tests a week, every week, over the next month to the Australian market.”

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland president Chris Owen said negotiations with another supplier meant 500,000 extra rapid antigen tests would be available from chemists in the state from January 6.

“The new tests will be available in Queensland community pharmacies from the sixth or seventh of January 2022,” Mr Owen said.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the department planned to use rapid antigen tests for screening purposes once COVID-19 became widespread.

 

Where to buy Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) on the Gold Coast

If you’re looking for the best, most up to date place to find out where to get your Rapid Antigen Test, then type in your nearest suburb or postcode via https://findarat.com.au.

The Palaszczuk Government has secured 18 million State Rapid Antigen Tests to be provided free from public testing sites to people classified as close contacts.

This includes 12 million at home tests, and almost 6 million point of care tests.

At-home Rapid Antigen Tests will be provided from public test sites, free to close contacts and Covid-19 positive people who require testing under a Public Health Direction.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the supply would support new national protocols for close contacts and front-line workforces.

“Global demand for rapid antigen test kits is significant,” the Premier said.

“Securing an extra 12 million at-home tests for Queensland will help us meet demand as we transition to the new nationally agreed isolation and testing requirements for close contacts. The additional supplies will arrive over coming weeks.”

There will be a gradual shift to augment PCR with RAT tests for close contacts as supplies increase in line with the agreement at National Cabinet on a new definition for close contacts who will be required to have an immediate RAT test and isolate for 7 days with an additional RAT test on Day 6.

Under the changes, COVID-19 positive cases now isolate for 7 days.

“We know the transition to RAT tests for close contacts will reduce some of the pressure we have seen at testing clinics in recent weeks, ensuring those with symptoms can be tested sooner,” the Premier said.

These RAT tests will arrive in smaller numbers over the coming week or so. There will be a large volume expected in late January.

Until the end of January, the best point of call is to get prepared and purchase online in advance so if you need to use one, you have it ready to go.



Buying Online

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has published a list of Rapid Antigen Tests that approved for usage in Australia. 

95% effective tests: 

  • All Test Sars-Cov-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Nasal Swab)
  • Lyher Novel Coronavirus Antigen Test kit (Nasal Swab)
  • Onsite Covid-19 Ag self-test (Nasal Swab)
  • Panbio Covid-19 Antigen self-test (Nasal Swab)
  • V-Chek Covid-19 Antigen test (Saliva)

 

90% effective tests: 

  • All test covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Oral Fluid)
  • Hough Covid-19 Home Test (Nasal Swab)
  • Orawell Covid-19 Ag Rapid Test (Saliva)
  • RightSign Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) – Buy here
  • Testsealabs Covid-19 Antigen Test Cassette (Nasal Swab)