The state government has made Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) available for free to all Victorians for the remainder of the year, to help with early Covid detection and treatment ahead of Christmas and the New Year.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced all Victorians will be eligible to pick up two free packets of RATs at any state testing site until December 31, with no eligibility requirement.

In Bass Coast, the free RATs will be distributed by Bass Coast Shire Council, through their Customer Service Centres.

The Cowes Customer Service Centre is located at 154-156 Thompson Avenue, within Phillip Island Nature Parks’ office and is open between 10am and 3pm.

RATs will also be available at Wonthaggi and Grantville Customer Service Centres and the Inverloch Health Hub.

Anyone with Covid symptoms should go to one of the Bass Coast Health testing sites in Cowes or Wonthaggi, not a customer service centre.

Covid tests (PCR and RAT) are available from:

• Monash Pathology at the Cowes Health Hub, 50 Church Street between 12.30pm and 3.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• Wonthaggi Hospital, 235 Graham Street, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1pm.PCR tests are also available at the Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic by appointment.

Please bring photo ID with date of birth and/or a Medicare card. You can pre-register for PCR testing and RAT distribution at testtracker.covid19.dhhs.vic.gov.au/citizen-prefill

According to the latest government figures, released on December 23, there were 145 new cases recorded in Bass Coast in the past week, with 134 active cases.

The testing sites will be closed on Monday and Tuesday next week, due to public holidays. Both will close permanently on December 30, in line with national changes to Covid testing arrangements.

Testing

With access to RATs expanding significantly this year, the government said demand for state-funded PCR testing has steadily declined and from December 31, 2022 all of Victoria’s remaining state-run PCR testing sites will close.

Victoria’s nine remaining state-run mobile vaccination services, operated by local public health units, will also cease operating by December 31 – as most Victorians are getting vaccinated locally through GPs and pharmacies. 

Following the closure of state-run PCR testing sites, local councils currently providing free RATs to eligible members of the community will be supported by the Government to provide free RATs to all Victorians until June 2023. 

The council distribution program is currently operating across 180 local sites like libraries and council customer service centres, with preparations underway to expand access further throughout next year.

Concession card holders, those aged 70 and over, people with a disability and other higher risk groups can already access free RATs closer to home through participating local councils. 

Individuals at high risk of severe illness or those symptomatic and eligible for antivirals who test negative on a RAT should see their primary care provider to access PCR testing, to ensure early detection and effective treatment.

For testing site locations, and information on the council distribution program, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-a-covid-19-test.