With the NZ travel bubble reopening to residents of some states next week there is now a new requirement for a pre departure Covid test. Unfortunately it seems that the government run free Covid testing sites are not able to offer this service (they don’t complete the required paperwork for you).
Looking at the prices in Victoria the test cost seems to range from $150pp up with many providers charging $200. Has anyone found cheaper option for pre departure Covid testing?
How is this not just the normal test you get from a pathology lab that they send you a text with the result, is that not sufficient? Damn.
You need a lab printout with the type of test performed, time the sample was taken and your details including passport number. The free government run testing clinics (in Victoria) just send you a text message saying your result was negative which isn’t enough for international travel.
Right, yeah I just found out on the NZ website - https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/pre-departure-tests-to-enter-…. It doesn’t say passport is required:
Either a print or electronic copy (email/text message) of your negative test result will be accepted. A text message will be accepted if it includes an image of the laboratory result form. Testing labs must be able to issue you a dated report that should have:
traveller’s name
traveller’s date of birth and/or passport number
date and time the test was conducted
name of testing lab
test type
test result.
So I did get a pathology report when I went to the doctors, but not when I just walked into the clinic. It was uploaded to my health record. So maybe a cheaper way is to visit the doctor and get a referral to get the report? Not sure… probably doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the test back in time?
It might be possible but it’s a bit of a risk, there’s also the need for the test form to be accepted by the airline at check in. If it’s not the same as the travel test forms perhaps they won’t accept it?
According to the NZ guidelines if your plane is delayed they will extend the test validity up to 96 hours (24 more) however the lady at the testing centre said that Qantas doesn’t necessarily accept a result older than 72 even though NZ will.
@stirlo: $145 is a lot of money to get the exact same result as a normal test -.- stupid NZ. I guess I’ll have to do it, my only other option is sit at home and do nothing which let’s just say won’t be good for my mental health after not being on a proper holiday for 5 years
For any future readers of the post I found the cheapest test was $120 from 4Cyte Pathology which despite having a dodgy looking website had skilled staff who were obviously doing a lot of these tests and were able to help with the forms and requirements. Results took around 18 hours. Would recommend
I think I'm going to use them. The website looks dodgy as stated. They're know though. My airline listed them as a place to get the test. So did a few other sites.
Just curious anyone got the PCR test recently? Things are crazy over the holiday period.
I got one from the Histopath clinic at Melbourne airport on Friday 17/12 at 2pm before travelling to QLD. Lined up for about half an hour (75 people in queue) and got results within half an hour before my 3:15 pm flight. Cost was $80.
I've heard that after the local testing clinics got overwhelmed this week they only do tests unless you have a same day international flight book and are no longer offering tests for those who are travelling domestic.
Update for December 27. The “less than 90 minutes” tagline has been removed from their signage and they’re now advising you arrive 4-5 hours before your flight. My test took 2 hours to get results from the print out counter but the email with the results didn’t arrive for 12 hours.
$150-200 is about the going rate, its about that in New Zealand too.
When we flew from Malaysia to New Zealand a month ago it was $100-200 over there with most being around the $200 mark.