How the test works

The COVID-19 virus can be detected very early in an infection, sometimes even before symptoms appear.  

Some people carry the virus without showing any symptoms, but they can still transmit it to others. In addition to providing results quickly, rapid antigen tests can prevent outbreaks by reducing virus spread.

A saliva sample or nasal swab is placed in a chemical solution for rapid antigen testing. After 10 to 15 minutes, the results are displayed. Nonetheless, these tests have some limitations compared with the standard COVID-19 tests (PCR) used at testing clinics.

Accuracy rate

The rapid antigen test can detect most cases of COVID-19, but it is not as accurate as the standard test (PCR). 

NSW Health recommends that people who develop symptoms or are identified as close or casual contacts of someone with COVID-19 get tested at a clinic and self-isolate.

Testing at workplaces

Onsite screening for workplaces

Many employers, industries, schools, and government agencies have implemented rapid antigen testing screenings at their workplaces under the supervision of a health practitioner and may work with a third party provider to manage the process.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has published guidance including a checklist to help businesses understand the key considerations for the safe implementation of COVID-19 rapid antigen point-of-care testing in their workplace.

For more information on the guidance contact COVIDtests@tga.gov.au or call 1800 141 144.

Self-testing 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has authorized companies to supply their self-tests legal for use at home in Australia starting on 1 November 2021 in order to support the safe use of rapid antigen self-tests.

Individual tests require TGA approval and inclusion in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as for all other testing kits. The TGA continues to work with suppliers and manufacturers of self-tests to ensure:

• instructions for use are written in a way that all consumers can understand
• usability testing has been successful
• self-tests perform satisfactorily against variants such as Delta.

An important step in implementing the use of these self-tests includes enabling any consumer who has a positive rapid antigen test result to have a confirmatory PCR test at a laboratory or a COVID-19 testing clinic.

What rapid antigen test kits can be used?

Devices that have not been approved by the TGA cannot be used in Australia. The TGA website includes a list of all registered rapid antigen test kits.

It is important to note the regulations set out by the TGA concerning the sale of rapid antigen test kits and conditions of supply. The TGA website publishes frequently asked questions about the supply of rapid antigen tests, which should be reviewed before proceeding with rapid antigen testing.

From 1 November 2021, to support the safe use of rapid antigen self-tests, the TGA has announced it has allowed companies to legally supply their self-tests for use at home in Australia.

Who covers the cost of rapid antigen testing?

Business continuity is supported by rapid antigen testing, a screening tool that is already used by many companies.

As per the requirements of the TGA, businesses are responsible for procuring their own testing kits and, where applicable, for covering the cost of implementing testing on site at workplaces. 

Rapid antigen testing is not covered under the Commonwealth’s Medicare Benefits Scheme.

How is rapid antigen testing different to other testing?

There are two kinds of tests used by NSW Health to detect COVID-19 - diagnostic and screening tests.

A rapid antigen test is a screening test that is used to potentially identify positive cases earlier to help reduce the spread of the virus and prevent outbreaks. When used regularly, rapid antigen tests help identify individuals who may be infectious early on. Individuals can be pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic but still carry the virus and may transmit it to others.

A standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, is a diagnostic test, and can confirm if someone has COVID-19, with results available in approximately 24 hours. These tests take a deep nasal sample and throat sample and are tested in laboratories.

A positive rapid antigen test doesn’t mean you necessarily have COVID-19, it means you need to get a standard (PCR) test straight away to confirm the result.

If you get a positive test result

If you get a positive rapid antigen test result, NSW Health reccomends that you:

• get a standard COVID-19 test (PCR)  at a laboratory or NSW testing clinic to confirm the result of your screening test
• isolate until you get a negative result from NSW Health.

Isolating immediately after your positive result, or if you have symptoms, can help break chains of transmission and limit the spread of COVID-19.

There is no requirement to formally report the result of a positive rapid antigen test to NSW Health. Only PCR test results are collected and reported by NSW Health.

If you get a negative test result

There is no requirement to formally report the result of a negative rapid antigen test to NSW Health. Only PCR test results are collected and reported by NSW Health.

If individuals develop any symptoms, even if mild, they must immediately get a standard COVID-19 test and isolate until they get a negative result from NSW Health.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19

NSW Health reccomends that you get a standard COVID-19 test (PCR) at a COVID-19 testing clinic in NSW and isolate, including from your household members, until you receive a negative result.

The only way to rule out COVID-19 is to have a standard test (PCR), even if you have only mild symptoms.

Therapeutic Goods Administration guidance for safe implementation

The TGA has published guidance including a checklist to assist businesses understand the key considerations for the safe implementation of COVID-19 rapid antigen point-of-care testing in their workplace.