What you need to know about coronavirus (COVID-19)
Testing
The criteria for having a test for COVID-19 are updated regularly as new
evidence becomes available. Testing diagnoses patients with COVID-19 and also
helps health authorities monitor and track the spread of COVID-19.
People with mild symptoms can still spread the virus. To help stop the
resurgence and spread of COVID-19, anyone with symptoms of an acute
respiratory infection should get tested.
The symptoms include:

fever
respiratory symptoms 
coughing
sore throat
shortness of breath



If you have one or more of these symptoms, even mildly, it is important you
get tested as soon as possible. Early diagnosis means you can take steps to
avoid spreading the virus to someone else.
If you have other symptoms that may occur with COVID-19 you should seek advice
from your doctor or from healthdirect
about whether you should get tested.
As the situation changes, states and territories may adjust their testing
criteria based on local needs. For latest information check your state or
territory health website.
Testing is even more important if you have symptoms and any of the following
apply to you:

you have returned from overseas in the past 14 days
you travelled on a cruise ship (either passenger or crew) in the 14 days before developing symptoms
you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days
you are a health care, aged care or residential care worker or staff member with direct patient contact
you have lived in or travelled through an area where there is a higher risk of community transmission, as defined by the local public health unit

People in high-risk settings will be regularly monitored to ensure symptoms
are identified early. Rapid response plans will be activated if someone in
those settings develops a fever or respiratory symptoms. People who have
recovered from COVID-19 need to be tested before they can go into high risk
settings.
High-risk settings include:

aged and residential care facilities
detention centres or correctional facilities
boarding schools
military group residences and other closed settings, such as Navy ships or live-in accommodation
rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Where to get tested
You can:

contact your doctor and they will arrange the test
attend a respiratory or fever clinic

Respiratory or fever clinics are dedicated health centres around the country
focusing on testing people with acute respiratory infection symptoms
Find the respiratory/fever clinic nearest to you. Your state or territory
may have extra clinics where you can get tested. You can find them through
your state or territory health website.
If your symptoms are serious, you should seek urgent medical attention. If
possible, call ahead so the medical facility can prepare.
If it is a medical emergency, please call 000.
The Department of Health regularly reviews these criteria.
After testing
It may take a day or two for your test results to come back.
If you have serious symptoms you will be kept in hospital and isolated from
other patients to prevent the virus spreading.
If your doctor says you are well enough to go home while you wait for your
test results, you should:

isolate at home
protect yourself and others

For questions about testing or patient welfare, call the National Coronavirus
Helpline.
National Coronavirus Helpline
Call this line if you are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19) or
help with the COVIDSafe app. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.
1800 020 080
View contact