For after hours urgent public health matters including environmental health, radiation safety, food poisoning and communicable disease management phone:
Test all patients who meet the suspect case definition:
Fever (≥37.5°C) or history of fever (e.g. night sweats, chills) OR acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) OR loss of sense of smell or taste
AND
One of the following epidemiological risk factors in the 14 days prior to illness onset:
People who have been in a setting where there is a confirmed COVID-19 case; OR
Workers supporting COVID-19 quarantine and isolation services; OR
International border staff; OR
Air and maritime crew; OR
Healthcare, aged or residential care workers and staff with potential COVID-19 patient contact.
In addition to the suspect case definition, test anyone who meets the following clinical criteria:
Fever (≥37.5°C) or history of fever (e.g. night sweat, chills) in the absence of a clear alternative cause, such as a urinary tract infection or cellulitis
OR
Acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat).
OR
Sudden onset of loss of sense of smell or taste
Patients with sudden onset of runny nose/blocked nose, muscle pain, joint pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite can be tested for COVID-19 in the absence of fever or respiratory symptoms if no alternative cause for these symptoms is apparent, at the discretion of the treating clinician.
Testing of asymptomatic individuals is not generally recommended. However, it is ACT Health policy that individuals in quarantine undergo “exit testing” on day 10-12 of their quarantine period, even if asymptomatic. In addition, some individuals may be asked by ACT Health (or another public health authority such as NSW Health) to be tested upon entry to quarantine.
Geographical areas of risk (as of 12 May 2021)
Current geographical areas of risk for COVID-19 transmission are:
International
Any overseas country (including New Zealand)
Domestic
Greater Sydney and Surrounds Local Government Areas
Bayside (excluding transit through Sydney Airport)
Blacktown City
Blue Mountains City
Burwood
Camden
Campbelltown City
Canada Bay City
Canterbury-Bankstown
Central Coast
Cumberland
Fairfield City
Georges River
Hawkesbury City
Hornsby Shire
Hunter’s Hill Municipality
Inner West
Ku-ring-gai
Lane Cove Municipality
Liverpool City
Mosman Municipality
North Sydney
Northern Beaches
Parramatta City
Penrith City
Randwick City
Ryde City
Strathfield Municipality
Sutherland Shire
Sydney City
The Hills Shire
Waverley
Willoughby City
Wollondilly Shire
Wollongong City
Woollahra City
Perth and Peel Local Government Areas
Armadale
Bassendean
Bayswater
Belmont
Cambridge
Canning
Claremont
Cockburn
Cottesloe
East Fremantle
Fremantle
Gosnells
Joondalup
Kalamunda
Kwinana
Melville
Mosman Park
Mundaring
Nedlands
Peppermint Grove
Perth
Rockingham
South Perth
Stirling
Subiaco
Swan
Victoria Park
Vincent
Wanneroo
Boddington
Mandurah
Murray
Serpentine-Jarrahdale
Waroona
Greater Metropolitan Melbourne (from 5 May 2021)
Banyule
Bayside
Boroondara
Brimbank
Cardinia
Casey
Darebin
Frankston
Glen Eira
Greater Dandenong
Hobsons Bay
Hume
Kingston
Knox
Manningham
Maribyrnong
Maroondah
Melbourne
Melton
Monash
Moonee Valley
Moreland
Morning Peninsula
Nillumbik
Port Phillip
Stonnington
Whitehorse
Whittlesea
Testing Locations
GPs can collect specimens for COVID-19 themselves if they wish to. Please refer to the Specimen Collection Guidelines for details.
Testing is performed free of charge for symptomatic individuals.
No appointment is required for ACT Government COVID-19 Testing Clinics. Appointments are required for the GP Respiratory Clinics in Crace and Greenway.
Clinic locations, opening hours and booking details (where relevant) are available on the ACT COVID-19 website. Many testing clinics operate 7 days a week.
Please note that asymptomatic individuals cannot be tested at these clinics, unless directed to be tested by ACT Health or another public health authority (e.g. NSW Health). Other asymptomatic patients who require COVID-19 testing (e.g. prior to boarding an international flight) can be sent to private pathology collection centres with a request form. Patients may be charged for their test in these circumstances.
Patients can be sent to a suitable private pathology collection centre with a pathology request form.
Testing is free of charge for symptomatic patients who are eligible for Medicare.
