Free COVID rapid antigen tests - how to get them and when they will they be available

Health officials are preparing to make rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 free for millions of Australians.

Testing has been done free of charge at state testing clinics for people who are close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case, or have symptoms of the virus.

The national cabinet last week agreed to provide free trials to people holding five concession cards amid frenzied demand for the product.

Widespread reports of pricing came after tests became scarce, when most jurisdictions agreed to rely on them to indicate a person's infection status.

It called on governments to supply supplies to Australians for free.

After a meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the national cabinet had rejected calls to do them for free, instead providing them at no cost to some six million Australians.

Am I eligible?

Australians holding the following cards are eligible for a free rapid antigen test:

• pension concession card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card
• Department of Veterans Affairs Gold, White or Orange Card
• health care card
• low income health card

Where can I get them?

• Mr Morrison said free tests would be available at pharmacies.
• The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has announced to work with the National Cabinet to facilitate the rollout of free tests.
• "These COVID tests will be available through the pharmacy network," the organization said in a statement.
• "It recognizes that community pharmacists are highly skilled and trained health professionals, readily available to Australians."
• However, any person entitled to a free test because they are a close contact and/or have COVID symptoms should not appear at a pharmacy for testing, but a state-run testing clinic.

When will they be available?

• No fixed date has been given for the rollout.
• Announcing the initiative on Wednesday, 5 January, Mr Morrison said he expected it to be "in place within the next fortnight".
• “It may be able to do much faster than that, and we are working with the Pharmacy Guild to implement this as quickly as possible,” he said.
• More details will be given when the National Cabinet meets this week.

What is my right?

• The National Cabinet has agreed that eligible people will be entitled to a total of 10 tests.
• They will be provided for a period not exceeding three months.
• A maximum of five tests per person per month will apply.