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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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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.

Related Stores

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

closed Comments

    • So he got them for free* (stole), but he wants us to pay.

  • Might acquire these tests, maybe alot and **** **** ** *** idiots.

  • +1

    My wife and I are both listed on our combined family Health Care Card. So does that mean 10 tests each over 3 months or 10 Tests between us ?

    • +2

      Wait to see what the government feels like when they're asked that same question. The current handling of covid is like an episode of Fawlty Towers… it's just very hard to laugh when we have covid.

    • With my parents' pensioner concession cards, they are able to get 10 tests each. I would expect the same in your case.

  • How do I post this to D$$khead Periperi? I so want to dunk on his arse

  • +2

    As a concession card holder I can tell you this is old news. Was told 2 weeks ago about the supply of free tests by my pharmacist and the date they will be available.

    • +1

      I went to a Chemist Warehouse nearby, 3 days ago, but the shopkeeper said no idea about this.

  • +1

    Anyone needing tests urgently - available online from here (and reasonably priced if buying in lots of 5 or 10)
    https://www.thedailyshopaus.com/products/free-shipping-covid…

  • +2

    Why are you spamming news as a deal?

    • I am just trying to help my fellow ozbargainers. Much like you with all the deals you have posted……….

  • Is there a list which pharmacies participate ?

  • …. when is the election?

    • +1

      Straight after the 'Splash for Cash' on 'Marginal Electorates' Budget!!
      I feel for families. E.G. maybe $50 for a 4 person family to test. I'd suggest that they load up the car and all go to a testing site for free RAT tests.

      • +1

        Must be nice to live in a marginal seat

  • Can’t wait till these flood Fartbook and Scumtree at $20/test…

    This is just the latest hoarding scare. Market is driven by people who don’t need them thinking they have to have them, backed by people who want to protest from them and the people who might need them over buying for feet of not being able to get one.

  • Not certain, but I think it is in May. OP is getting record neg votes for this so LNP should probably consider OzB in pre-polling data. Maybe it's time another Scotty was in power?

    • +2

      33 and counting. Beat my past record. And jv has commented. My Ozbargain life is complete!

      • +1

        I'd vote 1 if Scotty ran as independent leading the Bargain Party.

        Mods and our post legends would negotiate strong global trade deals, click count data for consumer spend and economic growth indicators, and associated posters could use comments to filter for employee talent for jobs growth. JV would definitely be comms minister.

  • I had some on pre order for 19 Jan, then got an email yesterday stating there is no stock as the Gov have taken all stock from the suppliers.

  • +2

    Not a deal. Should be free and available for all.
    Just a way for the inept Government to avoid pissing off pensioners before the election.

  • Government press releases and no actual details on implementation of the scheme are deals now? Must have missed the memo.

  • Can someone pls post the other 1000's of free/ subsidized ( I know it seems a miracle someone pays for them ) for card holders prescription drugs / tests available tks ?

  • +1

    They're also free if you sell your soul to Hillsong. No deal here.

  • +2

    Maybe I should post tax returns on OzB on 1 July every year as a freebie?

    • You jest, but I'm sure someone will justify it as trying to help out and keep the members informed :P

  • Complaints should be sent to "Scomo C/- 'THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN RESORT, HONOLULU, OAHU'.
    But I suspect that his response will be "It's not a race".

  • Highly doubt these will even be available in the quantities needed for those who need them. More misdirection from failed leadership the past two months. They're more interested in making sure you can be fired for saying good Christians can be gay in a Christian school.

  • So you can’t use to purchase online. Goes to pharmacy to get tests, gets covid

    • Dies, off welfare.

      See, there's a point to this madness.

      • +1

        In the US, it's said to be disproportionately affecting republican voters. Trump was even booed when he talked about having got his booster.

        I wonder if a similar thing is or will happen in Australia.

        • No, our antivaxxers all vote for minor parties, like Hanson and Palmer. And they're a lot fewer in number.

  • +1

    if you don't get tested you can't be positive

    • That's the most efficient way to lower down the number. And by far they did well. :-)

  • +1

    Free but you can't get it anywhere so what's the point

  • +1

    Which BRAND are they providing?

    It is 95% effective?

    Made In Australia is one of the WORST. Letting us all down…why can't we be as good as China or USA…see below :( :( :(

    Anyone know what BRANDS the chemist are providing for free?

    From this list:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10352171/What-best-…

    VERY HIGH SENSITIVITY - 95% CLINICALLY SENSITIVE

    All Test Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test - (Nasal Swab) - China
    Lyher Novel Coronavirus Antigen Test Kit (Nasal Swab) - China
    OnSite Covid-19 Ag Self Test (Nasal Swab) - USA
    Panbio Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test (Nasal Swab) - Germany
    V-Chek Covid-19 Antigen Test (Saliva) - China

    HIGH SENSITIVITY - 90 PER CENT CLINICALLY SENSITIVE

    All Test Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Oral Fluid) - China

    Hough Covid-19 Home Test (Nasal Swab) - China

    My Covid Test Antigen Rapid Test - (Oral Fluid) - China

    Orawell Covid-19 Ag Rapid Test (Saliva) - China

    RightSign Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) - China

    Testsealabs Covid-19 Antigen Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) - China

    ACCEPTABLE SENSITIVITY - 80 PER CENT CLINICALLY SENSITIVE

    Roche Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test (Nasal Swab) - South Korea

    InnoScreen Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Nasal Swab) - Australia

    Ecotest Covid-19 Antigen Saliva Test kit (saliva) - China

    CareStart Covid-19 Antigen Home Test (Nasal Swab) - USA

    • -3

      You do realise that the current rankings regarding sensitivity are based on self reporting of the sensitivity levels by the manufacturer…. Which begs the question, can you trust many of these chinese companies?

      • -4

        Nope.

        I don't trust ANY Chinese companies.

        I trust the USA & Germany ones & the Australian ones.

        The Australian one should all be 95% with Australian & Germany, not 80%.

        Anyone know what BRAND we will get for free from the Pharmacies?

        • +1

          It will be the cheapest OZ one that misses about 1 in 5 . When you have the choice of missing about 1 in 20 .
          Believe in your social media crap but that info on the FED Govt TGA WS .

      • +1

        i remember at the begining of yr 2021 ppl was shi*ting about the mask that made in China,
        now 95% of our maskes ar still import from China and not one give a damn anymore.

        the whole world ar running short on those Rapid Test kites,
        i went to 5 Pharmacies last week and they all out of stock,
        so don't listen to the "BRAND"ing BS and get one when u have the chance.

    • +1

      The one thing the I believe regarding sensitivity is that if it says that you are 'Positive' then you are, if it says that you are 'negative' then you might still have Covid.

  • -2

    Thanks for this… baaa!!!

  • The Australian government can't order enough rapid antigen tests…

    meanwhile they have ordered a total of 280 million COVID vaccines for a population of 25 million (refer to sources in link). 280 million equates to a whopping eleven (11) vaccines (2 original treatment + 9 boosters) for every Aussie man, woman & child: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/676214

    • Maybe they are self aware enough to know they are not capable of competent and precise distribution?

    • +1

      There are discussions of 3 to 4 monthly boosters

  • Why???

    • +1

      Several reasons. They're good at brainwashing with bullshit, censoring/discrediting reality, and are beholding to and/or hold shares in the manufacturer/s - are the main ones. Meanwhile they've exempted themselves.

  • +2

    The communication from the Pharmacy Guild, PSA, Australian Government and NSW Government has been abysmal. Not a single peep to give us direction.

    The portal for the scheme is still non existent just the like the supply. Can't wait for the ensuring ship fest next Monday.

  • I finally went into a chemist today with my veteran card and asked about RAT kits. Turns out they had a supply tucked away for concession card holders. I couldn't find any elsewhere so the scheme has helped me at least.

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