What COVID-19 test should I do?

1. You have COVID-19 symptoms. It is especially important if you are at higher risk of severe illness to get a test so you can access early treatment including antiviral medicines.
2. You live with someone who has COVID-19; test regularly for at least 7 days, even if you do not develop symptoms. This is very important if you are at higher risk of severe illness or are in contact with people at higher risk of severe illness.

If you have had COVID-19 in the last 4 weeks, you do not need to test unless you have new symptoms. If you are at higher risk of severe illness and have any new symptoms within 4 weeks of having COVID-19, talk to your doctor as they may recommend further testing.

See information for people exposed to COVID-19 for more information about when to get tested.

Some people are at higher risk of severe illness (more likely to get very sick, and may be at higher risk of needing hospital care), including:

• All people aged 70 years and older
• People aged over 50 years with additional risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease (including moderate or severe asthma requiring inhaled steroids), neurological disease, severe chronic liver or kidney disease, active cancer, those who are not up to date with recommended vaccination
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 30 years and over with additional risk factors listed above
• People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised of any age
• People with significant or complex disability
• Pregnant women
• Children with complex chronic conditions

If you live in a remote area and have reduced access to healthcare or are a resident in an aged care or disability care facility, discuss your risk with your GP as you may also be eligible for antiviral treatment or additional supportive care.

If you are at higher risk of severe illness:

• speak to your doctor now about what you should do if you get sick and ask whether you need a pathology form for a test and whether they recommend antiviral medicines or other treatments for COVID-19.
• get a PCR test if you have cold or flu symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever), or are exposed to a person with COVID-19. A PCR test is recommended as it is more accurate. If you cannot get a PCR test result quickly, do a rapid antigen test while you wait for the PCR. Early diagnosis means you can access treatment, including antiviral medicine, earlier. Antiviral medicines work best when taken as soon as possible, usually within 5 days from when your symptoms start. Read more information on antiviral medicines including how to access them if you are eligible.
• wear a mask in public settings. This can help reduce your risk of COVID-19 exposure.

There are two different tests you can get to check if you have COVID-19:

• a rapid antigen test (RAT) that you can do yourself 
• a PCR test that is done at a testing clinic.

If you are at higher risk of severe illness:

• PCR tests are recommended as they are more accurate. There are early treatments available for COVID-19, such as antiviral medicines, that can work best if they are taken within 5 days from when your symptoms start. If you can’t get a PCR test result quickly, do a rapid antigen test while you wait for the PCR test result.

If you are not at higher risk of severe illness:

• do a rapid antigen test unless your doctor tells you to have a PCR test.

If you are an international arrival:

• monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19 after arrival. If you develop symptoms within 14 days of arriving in Australia, a PCR test is preferred.

NSW Health recommends you stay at home if you have cold or flu symptoms (such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever) even if you get a negative COVID-19 test, so you don't infect other people.

PCR tests

• If you have a positive PCR test result, even if you don’t have symptoms, you have COVID-19. You should stay home and follow the advice for people testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home.
• If you have a negative PCR test result, you do not currently have COVID-19, but should stay home until you are well. If you have been recently exposed to a person with COVID-19, you should continue to follow the advice for people exposed to COVID-19 as you may still be developing the infection.
• Some pathology providers test for multiple viruses and may send you test results for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19 at the same time.

Rapid antigen tests (RATs)

If you have COVID-19 symptoms and:

• your rapid antigen test is positive, stay home and follow the advice for people testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home. It is recommended you register your test result with Service NSW. Registering your result helps you access medical support from NSW Health, including antiviral medicines if you are eligible, and also assists NSW Health respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• your rapid antigen test is negative, and you are at higher risk of severe illness, have a PCR test right away as this will give the more accurate result.
• your rapid antigen test is negative, and you are not at higher risk of severe illness, do another rapid antigen test 24 hours later or do a PCR test. If the second test is negative, it’s most likely that you do you do not have COVID-19. Stay home until your acute symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever) have gone.

If you have no COVID-19 symptoms and:

• the rapid antigen test is positive, follow the testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home advice. It is recommended you register your test result with Service NSW. Registering your result helps you access medical support from NSW Health, including antiviral medicines if you are eligible, and also assists NSW Health respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• the rapid antigen test is negative; you are unlikely to have COVID-19.