Patient Information

COVID-19 Testing

If you are severely unwell go to your nearest hospital or phone 000.

NSW Health encourages all people with a fever, cough, sore throat, running nose, or other cold and flu like symptoms to be tested for COVID‑19, even if these symptoms are very mild.

• COVID-19 Restriction Checker – find out what you can and can't do in your state or territory.
• Face Mask Rules – Wearing a face mask is mandatory in some settings. Learn about when you need to wear a face mask, when you can remove it, and who is exempt.
• Find the Facts About COVID-19 – The latest case numbers, vaccination totals, and statistics on coronavirus disease in NSW.

COVID-19 testing

Getting Tested for COVID-19 – NSW Health

PCR testing:

• What You Need to Know Before Visiting a COVID-19 Testing Clinic
• COVID-19 Testing at Private Pathology Clinics
• COVID-19 Testing Clinics

Rapid antigen test (RAT):

• What Are COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and Where Can I Buy Them? – healthdirect
• Find a RAT
• NSW Health:
  • Rapid Antigen Tests for Community (COVID-19)
  • Rapid Antigen Testing for COVID-19 – information for individuals about performing self‑testing at home.

COVID-19 test results

If you visited a PCR test site, you will receive your results via text message. See Getting Tested for COVID-19.

If you have a rapid antigen test (RAT), follow the instructions from your rapid antigen test kit to determine your result.

NSW Health Pathology (NSWHP) Results Portal – a system that allows people to access their personal COVID-19 result securely and conveniently, whether it is positive or negative.

• The Results Portal is only available to people who have had a COVID-19 respiratory tract sample collected at a NSW public hospital or NSWHP collection clinic.
• The system is not available to people who have a COVID-19 test done by a private pathology provider as NSWHP does not have access to these individuals’ results.
• Authorised third parties (such as employers, schools, or airlines) can securely verify an individual’s test result by scanning the unique QR code on the report.

Testing positive for COVID-19

There are effective treatments available for people at risk of severe disease from COVID-19. If you need other clinical support or have non‑urgent health related questions during isolation, phone the NSW Health COVID‑19 Care at Home Support line on 1800‑960‑933.

If you develop severe symptoms (particularly severe dizziness, drowsiness or confusion, shortness of breath, chest pressure or pain lasting more than 10 minutes, or are unable to stand) you should phone triple zero (000) immediately and tell the ambulance staff you have been diagnosed with COVID‑19.

Register your positive rapid antigen test (RAT) result via Service NSW.

• NSW Health:
  • Testing Positive to COVID-19 and Managing COVID-19 Safely at Home – information on how you find out your test results and how to manage self‑isolation at home
  • NSW Health COVID-19 Self-isolation Guideline and Support
  • Release and Recovery From COVID-19
• See also COVID-19 Isolation Support and COVID-19 Mental Health Support pages.

Information about COVID-19 testing

• NSW Health:
  • Information for People Exposed to COVID-19
  • Just Got Tested for COVID-19? Information for the Aboriginal Community
  • COVID-19 Translated Resources
• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA):
  • How Testing Works for COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self-tests That Are Approved in Australia