PSA: You’ll Be Able To Buy COVID Rapid Antigen Tests At Coles & Woolies From Next Week

Rapid COVID-19 antigen tests will be available at supermarkets across Australia from next week in a huge move for coronavirus testing.

The tests will be available from both Coles and Woolworths from November 1, and can be purchase in-store or for delivery. Tests can already be pre-ordered at Woolworths, and will retail for between $10 and $15.

“Rapid antigen testing is helping protect our distribution centre team members across Australia from COVID-19,” a Woolworths spokesperson told the ABC. “We’re now looking to stock at home self-test kits, which have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, in selected stores from early November.”

Meanwhile, the tests will be available at 700 Coles stores in all states except South Australia and Western Australia, where cases remain minimal. Coles supermarkets will stock the Hough Pharma nasal tests, the first of eight rapid antigen testing kits to be approved for at-home use in Australia.

“This is an important additional protection for Australians,” Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said last month. “Home testing will support Australians and support the national (reopening) plan.”

Rapid antigen tests have been used in the US and Europe for months now, and were trialled in some aged care facilities in Australia prior to being approved for at-home use.

However, it is worth noting that these tests are less reliable than traditional PCR tests and therefore, are not diagnostic. If you return a positive test with a rapid antigen testing kit, you are still required to get a traditional PCR test from an approved testing facility. However, this could be a game-changer for regular at-home testing in lower risk environments.

Until November 1, rapid antigen tests can only be conducted under clinical supervision in workplaces, medical facilities and hospitals. The testing kits have not yet been added to the Coles or Woolworths online shopping websites.