Changes to rapid antigen testing are coming.

From 1 October, those who receive a result from a RAT test will no longer need to register it with Service NSW.

Although COVID-19 remains active in the community, the state’s RAT portal will close from this date.

Service NSW will also no longer be offering free RAT (test kits) to the community.

NSW Health is continuing its recommendations that community members stay at home and not visit high risk settings if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms may include a runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever.

High-risk areas include aged care facilities and hospitals.

What to do with your Rapid antigen test (RAT) result from 1 October:

If your RAT is positive:

• Stay home
• Don’t visit people at high risk of severe illness, anyone in hospital or an aged or disability care facility for at least 7 days.
• Wear a mask
• Avoid large gatherings and indoor crowded places
• Talk to your employer about when you should return to the workplace.
• Tell people that you live with, or spend a lot of time with, that you have COVID-19.

If your RAT is negative:

• If you are at higher risk of severe illness, ask your doctor if you should have a PCR test. This will give a more accurate result.
• If your RAT is negative and you are not at higher risk of severe illness, consider doing another RAT 24 hours later. Stay home until your symptoms have settled. If you are worried, talk to your doctor.

If you have no COVID-19 symptoms and:

• your RAT is positive, repeat a RAT or ask your doctor if you should get a PCR test. If you have no COVID-19 symptoms but your PCR test is positive, follow the advice for testing positive to COVID-19 (above).
• your RAT is negative; you are unlikely to have COVID-19.

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