This was posted 2 years 3 months 16 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Up to 10 Free Rapid Antigen Tests over 3 Months (5 Per Month Cap) for Pensioner, Veteran, Health Care Card Holder @ Pharmacies

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Up to 10 Free Rapid Antigen Tests over 3 Months (5 Per Month Cap) for Pensioner, Veteran, Health Care Card Holder @ Pharmacies
Go to Deal
therealoptimus on 13/01/2022 - 20:12 health.gov.au (7135 clicks)
Last edited 14/01/2022 - 12:18 by 2 other users

This is simply a public service announcement for pensioners (various types eligible)
You heard it here first.
Starting the 24th concession card holders will be able to access up to 10 free RATs from their local pharmacy.

National Cabinet agreed that up to 10 Rapid Antigen Tests over three months (a maximum of 5 in a month) will be made available free through pharmacies to people holding the following cards:

Pension Concession Card
Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card
Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold, White or Orange Card
Health Care Card
Low Income Health Card

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-13/covid-live-blog-lates…

Remember you heard it here first! /s
Is that the right way to use this? /s

Mod: Republished as start date is now listed on Health Gov's site. See previous discussion.

Health & Beauty COVID-19 Test Rapid Antigen Test

Related Stores

Department of Health, Australian Government
Department of Health, Australian Government

closed Comments

      • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 22:51
        +1

        Encourages testing, prevents spread, protect vulnerable. Help people feel more secure which in turn helps with spending and the economy.

        Helps prevent hospitals from being overloaded.

        • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:52
          +1

          Encourages testing, prevents spread, protect vulnerable.

          Also encourages hoarding… So people that need them, can't get them. Just like toilet paper.

          • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 22:53
            +2

            @jv:

            Also encourages hoarding

            As opposed to now? where people can't get them and when they can they're overpriced.

            • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:54

              @ihfree:

              where people can't get them

              because they are sitting in warehouses with no people to deliver them.

              what is left is being hoarded by 'first come, first served'

              • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 22:56

                @jv: Potato po-ta-toe.

                • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:56
                  +1

                  @ihfree: post in the recipe forums then…

              • staz on 13/01/2022 - 22:57
                +1

                @jv: So even with a cost, there's a perverse policy outcome for the govt. You'll get hoarding either way.

                • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:58
                  +2

                  @staz:

                  You'll get hoarding either way.

                  maybe, but a lot less hoarding will occur if there is a cost involved.

                  • staz on 13/01/2022 - 22:59
                    +2

                    @jv: So why can't govt manage these through the various apps my gov, service NSW etc to manage allocations?

                    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:01

                      @staz:

                      So why can't govt manage these through the various apps

                      Maybe they will…

                      There are limits to the free ones.

                • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:59

                  @staz: Once the supply logistics are sorted, they'll probably drop to around $5 per test…

                  • staz on 13/01/2022 - 23:00

                    @jv: No doubt. I'm not trying to be argumentative. Just frustrated by an inept PM and policy on the run.

                    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:02

                      @staz:

                      and policy on the run.

                      That's how covid works unfortunately.

                      Nobody knows what it will do in 3 months time.

                      What if all the RAT tests are useless with the next strain?

                      • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 23:10
                        +4

                        @jv:

                        and policy on the run

                        What if the government was warned about shortages months ago?

                  • peterw1 on 14/01/2022 - 13:10

                    @jv: once we get closer to the election date they will become free

                    • neonlight on 14/01/2022 - 13:50

                      @peterw1: That's another 3 months wait crazy stuff, we are wasting our lives of 4 months since Xmas due to incompetence of this government

                      • jv on 14/01/2022 - 14:05

                        @neonlight:

                        we are wasting our lives of 4 months

                        how are you wasting your life?

          • shoppe on 14/01/2022 - 10:53

            @jv: So allow people to buy as may as they like, or give a limited supply for free, I know which will prevent hoarding.

            People should have easy access to a limited supply at home, so they don't have to go to the chemist when sick.

            If I have to pay, then like most people I'll only buy them when needed.

            Limited supply at chemists, encourages hoarding, not giving free test, which are rationed.

            • jv on 14/01/2022 - 10:54
              +1

              @shoppe:

              People should have easy access to a limited supply at home,

              There aren't enough at the moment though. It'll probably take a least a few weeks before people can easily find them. A bit like masks in 2020.

      • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 14/01/2022 - 00:30
        +3

        They are cheaper by 20x than PCR tests, which the government pays for.

  • sparkles on 13/01/2022 - 22:21
    +6

    LET IT RIP, what a strategy. You know, if your strategy is to screw up EVERYTHING. It's great!

    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:40
      -1

      LET IT RIP, what a strategy.

      Well that's what all the state premiers voted for…

      • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 22:49
        +3

        Well, after the gold standard Gladys and Domicron let it leak…

        There are obviously issues here, such as failed quarantine (a federal responsibility), not locking down fast enough.

        • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:50
          -1

          as failed quarantine (a federal responsibility)

          Dan holds the record for being the worst.

          • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 22:52
            +7

            @jv: Dan holds the record for the most media criticism.

            • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:52
              -1

              @ihfree: and the most covid deaths in the country.

              • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 22:54
                +4

                @jv: IIRC, they're aged care deaths - a federal responsibility. Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.

                • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:56

                  @ihfree:

                  they're aged care deaths - a federal responsibility

                  same federal facilities did not have that many deaths in all the other states, only in Vic thanks to Dan and his incompetence with the quarantine hotels…

                  • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 22:56
                    +1

                    @jv: Where do you think the cases came from in NSW?

                    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:57
                      +1

                      @ihfree:

                      Where do you think the cases came from in NSW?

                      What are the deaths in NSW vs VIC ?

                      • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 22:59
                        +1

                        @jv: Does that metric really matter? Your last wave was effectively from Gladys' failure to have a "ring of steel" around Sydney.

                        Are those cases Dan's fault or Gladys'?

                        • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:00
                          +1

                          @ihfree:

                          Does that metric really matter?

                          It does to those people who lost family members because for Dan's incompetence…

                          • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 23:03
                            +3

                            @jv: Once again, Dan's or Gladys.. or sQomo?

                            Arguably, some waves came from NSW's mismanagement. Where's the federal quarantine? How about better practices for aged care? I believe even without Covid that's considered to be one of Australia's biggest policy failures.

                            • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:04
                              +3

                              @ihfree: At the end of the day, Australia has been one of the countries with the fewest deaths around the world and at the same time one of the strongest economies and lowest unemployment rates, yet people are still whinging….

                              • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 23:11
                                +4

                                @jv: It's nice to know that even you can't defend the indefensible.

                                • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:14
                                  +1

                                  @ihfree: Dan has surely tried though…

                                  His main tactic is deflecting blame to a subordinate, then sacking them.

                                  • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 23:15
                                    +4

                                    @jv: Yet no criticism of sQomo, Gladys, or Dom. Scomo who's always there to take credit but never takes blame. Are you sure you haven't been brainwashed?

                                    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:23
                                      +2

                                      @ihfree:

                                      Yet no criticism of sQomo, Gladys, or Dom

                                      You don't read OzBargain much, do you?

                                      • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 23:25
                                        +1

                                        @jv: I'd say I'm above average, though nowhere near you.

                                        • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:26
                                          +2

                                          @ihfree:

                                          I'd say I'm above average

                                          Is that you Novak ?

                                          • ihfree on 13/01/2022 - 23:27
                                            +1

                                            @jv: I'm known as Novax now.

                              • GoodDealDave on 14/01/2022 - 14:49

                                @jv: Disagreed. NSW now has one of world’s highest infection rates - source: the guardian https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/datablog/2021/dec…

                                • jv on 14/01/2022 - 14:58

                                  @GoodDealDave:

                                  now has one of world’s highest infection rates

                                  For Omicron.

                                  • GoodDealDave on 14/01/2022 - 15:00

                                    @jv: infection rate is only scale to judge not the number. Otherwise, south pole is clear winner since almost no one there.

                                    • jv on 14/01/2022 - 15:03

                                      @GoodDealDave:

                                      Otherwise, south pole is clear winner

                                      Which territory?

                  • buckster on 13/01/2022 - 23:42
                    +10

                    @jv: You'll be pleased to know that there were basically no aged care deaths in state run facilities in Victoria, only in the ones the federal govt was responsible for setting protocols for and supplying.

                    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:47
                      -3

                      @buckster:

                      only in the ones the federal govt was responsible for setting protocols

                      and they caught the virus that Dan let spread through his hotel quarantine stuff up.

                      same federal govt facilities in all other states had a fraction of deaths in comparison.

                      • ihfree on 14/01/2022 - 08:19
                        +3

                        @jv: Once again, are you sure you haven't been brainwashed?

                      • scphotos on 14/01/2022 - 10:37

                        @jv: What hotel quarantine?

                        The Federal Government created purpose-built national quarantine facilities.

                        Or at least a competent government would have.

                        • jv on 14/01/2022 - 10:56

                          @scphotos:

                          The Federal Government created purpose-built national quarantine facilities.

                          The one in VIC wont be ready until the later part of this year.

                          Where are the 4000 extra hospital beds that Dan promised though? He's had 2 years to get them together.

                          • skinny on 14/01/2022 - 11:26

                            @jv: and may never be used since there is no quarantine requiremet for vaccinated people

                            • jv on 14/01/2022 - 11:31
                              -1

                              @skinny: The hospitals are about to start using them….

  • Mr Fantastic on 13/01/2022 - 22:22

    Excellent! Yet another scheme that doesn't help the people who actually would benefit because they need a test to go to work.. provide the free test to the people who stay home, makes sense again like the new close contact rules..

    • sparkles on 13/01/2022 - 22:25
      +8

      A bunch of year 10's doing a planning project could do a better job than our politicians right now.

    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:42

      provide the free test to the people who stay home

      It actually free for the people who can least afford to buy one, so that they can get tested if required.

      • Mr Fantastic on 17/01/2022 - 01:17

        Clearly it is @JV, that's my point exactly. they are already dependent on the system. That the people who are working are funding. Which is why it makes zero sense to provide free test to people who are not working. They rely on the system, if the workers funding the system can't get a test to get to work the wheels stop moving. There is no longer free tests available among other things to the people who can't afford them. To be clear I'm not against government benefits, I don't agree with providing free test to people who are not in the work force and is not a requirement for them to test negative, where as a worker it is.

  • podiacide on 13/01/2022 - 22:37

    Anyone know where I can get them in Melbourne right now?

    • podiacide on 13/01/2022 - 22:39

      I cant see any on gumtree, fb marketplace or ebay. Have they been taken down? Anyone know of any of other sites (reputable or otherwise) where I can find some?

    • thangcuoi on 13/01/2022 - 22:41

      If you are looking to purchase them, try

      https://findarat.com.au/

      • alcadive on 14/01/2022 - 09:35

        Yeah if you want to race 100s of other people. I got to a servo about 15 minutes after it was listed with stock and there were about 30 cars there already and no stock.

    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 22:43
      +1

      Anyone know where I can get them in Melbourne right now?

      Lots of local pharmacies have them each day, but they sell out quickly once word gets out. People are hoarding them.

  • justgooddeals on 13/01/2022 - 22:38
    +6

    If your looking for RATS their are plenty in Canberra or most state parliaments. They’re the ones sitting on their asses debating about doing nothing

  • scphotos on 13/01/2022 - 22:59
    +5

    Insufficient quantity, if only they had more time to order the tests! /s

  • raptormesh on 13/01/2022 - 23:03
    +9

    Masterclass in non-leadership.

  • Shmack0 on 13/01/2022 - 23:09
    +7

    An absolute circus 🤡 🎪

  • jenna12 on 13/01/2022 - 23:11
    +7

    Shouldn't this be moved to the competition forum?

  • rack on 13/01/2022 - 23:17
    +2

    Makes no sense. People who have to go to work and actually do work have to pay for RATS whereas retirees, veterans, seniors, pensioners who have the luxury to not go to work are getting these for free for what exactly? The working horses get shot down while the lame horses get vet care.

    • jv on 13/01/2022 - 23:24
      +1

      have the luxury to not go to work are getting these for free for what exactly?

      So if they have the virus, they know to isolate from others to slow down the spreading…

    • Helenn on 15/01/2022 - 23:07
      +1

      Nothing to do with working or not working I think, many of the above cardholders would also be working. Can you think outside your box for a minute to realise that the cost of these tests is more than some people have in their weekly budget?
      I 100% think they should be covered under our public health system for all, for so many reasons, but they aren't and some people on low incomes can really struggle to afford them. Heck I thought the two I bought the other day were expensive and I'm working

  • z00m on 13/01/2022 - 23:22
    +5

    Free testing of a small part of a population during a pandemic is not a "bargain".

  • becku on 13/01/2022 - 23:33
    +8

    How the hell did this buffoon win the 2019 election

  • Deadalready on 13/01/2022 - 23:43
    +9

    Work in Pharmacy (WA), I don't know what magic juice cabinet is selling…

    But we in pharmacy have heard NOTHING about any framework being put in to actually support these nebulous claims.
    1: Tests are impossible to get
    2: There has been no development on actual planning or execution to allow people to get a reimbursement
    3: There has been more laws RESTRICTING sale of RATs, than helping distribution.

    I get the feeling, that we (in pharmacy) are just going to thrown under the bus as the scapegoats, for promises that can't be delivered in any form.

    • TheLurker on 14/01/2022 - 01:15
      +1

      Not set up for success at all and you're probably right about unfair blame. Tabloids will revel in trash headlines on the 24th with something like "Pharmacies couldn't give a RATs"

    • ihfree on 14/01/2022 - 08:47
      +1

      Sounds like Scoty's ideal situation. Sorry you've been thrown under the tank.

  • zzzsianzzz on 14/01/2022 - 00:02

    aussies voted PM.. hes preparing for his next vote.. ;)

  • ajr5k on 14/01/2022 - 00:22
    +8

    Government ensures low income earners don't have to choose between buying rapid test or groceries by ensuring nobody can buy either.

    • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 14/01/2022 - 00:28
      +9

      Are you trying to be funny, or are you just stupid?

    • tunzafun001 on 14/01/2022 - 00:41

      I'm guessing CoreJava is actually Scomo himself …Hi Dildo!

      • CoreJava on 14/01/2022 - 00:45

        There is no need to go against Liberal supporter. I reckon Scomo will win the next election.

        • tunzafun001 on 14/01/2022 - 00:48
          +1

          Righto' …pipe down now Scotty.

      • maverickjohn on 14/01/2022 - 08:29
        +1

        Don't know why people have to be so rude for a differing opinion can't you raise your arguments without insults.

        • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 14/01/2022 - 13:01

          That's like saying I don't know why people are given a hard time for voicing support for Pol Pot.

          • maverickjohn on 14/01/2022 - 13:24
            +1

            @JohnHowardsEyebrows: Not at all. Debates in general give each party a hard time hence why they debate. But do it respectfully. I just don't understand the need to put down someone at the coat of an arguement

    • tonka on 14/01/2022 - 01:35

      Just human history then? You're probably right. It's pretty likely the dinosaurs had something a bit more useful going on. And those flatworms in the pre-cambrian era were likely smashing compared to Scomo.

    • SBOB on 14/01/2022 - 06:59

      Forgot the sarcasm tag?

      • payton on 14/01/2022 - 07:16

        Check comment history, user a frequent contrarian/trolling

    • justgooddeals on 16/01/2022 - 22:43

      Thanks for the laugh. That was funny. Needed good laugh.

  • Talonparty on 14/01/2022 - 00:26

    Not a deal, not a bargain. What junk.

  • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 14/01/2022 - 00:28

    Not a bargain.

  • jayzee on 14/01/2022 - 00:52
    +2

    Did I hear the news correctly? It says government secures 70 million kits for $62 million, so the cost is less than $1 per kit, and the shop is selling it at least $10 per test kit, seems lots of mark up here.

    • raptormesh on 14/01/2022 - 01:03
      +4

      Well yes. We're being fleeced here. I've got mates overseas who got them for around $1.5 per kit.

      Guess who's pocketing all those money.

    • naira on 14/01/2022 - 09:52
      +1

      that is why it should be Federal buying the kits and giving it free to everyone every xx months. Shops can sell them for people who need more tests done.

    • Deadalready on 14/01/2022 - 16:21

      This is something that comes up often in retail, just because it costs X somebody along the way has to pay.

      If a loaf of bread cost 20 cents to make, doesn't the baker, mechanic, truck driver, store person, checkout operator, store deserve to get paid?

      If not, then work for free and see how your bills get paid.

  • Luigi Savadamoni on 14/01/2022 - 02:21
    +1

    I'm just glad someone is finally giving a RATS!

  • bronan on 14/01/2022 - 02:41

    Propoganda.

  • dreamscene on 14/01/2022 - 04:30

    Any Chemist here that can retro engineer the test kit and make one in the garage? :-) Teeheehee.

  • brenwildman on 14/01/2022 - 07:06
    -3

    Negged for fear propaganda

  • Meowcat on 14/01/2022 - 07:41
    +4

    Scomo stole a transports companies order of 20k tests that were already in aus because they planned ahead. #Scomo clearly didn’t

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