This week, Scott Morrison insisted the provision of rapid antigen tests for those without symptoms or who have not been told to get tested by authorities should be left to the “private market”.
Having referred to what he called more “casual uses” of rapid tests, the prime minister said: “We’re at another stage of this pandemic now where we just can’t go round and make everything free.”
While some state governments – principally New South Wales and Victoria – last week said they wanted to distribute rapid antigen tests free to the general public, they later watered down these commitments.
However, some governments overseas have taken a very different approach when it comes to rapid tests. Here are some examples.
United Kingdom
Perhaps the best known example to most Australians, the UK government offers people access to free self-administered rapid antigen tests through the National Health Service.
They are provided free through local pharmacies, with residents able to obtain a “collect code” and then pick them up.
Individuals can also grab two packs of seven rapid tests from community locations such as libraries. And they can also be ordered through a home delivery service.
The NHS website notes people might wish to do a free test when they “mix with people in crowded indoor places” or “visit someone who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19”. These are examples of what the Australian government views as “casual uses” for such tests.
Some Australians in the UK have noted the contrast between the two systems.
“It’s been so good that they’re free,” says Jordan Marshall, an Australian living in London. “My partner’s a paramedic so we’ve been quite proactive about testing.” Marshall says she’s probably used about 20 rapid tests over about three months, with many of those in the lead up to Christmas.
“While there’s been supply issues, the fact that we can get boxes delivered to the house means you can have greater level of confidence you’re not out there spreading it in the community,” she says.
Just collected another free pack of 7 from local pharmacy. Order via NHS App and show code - 1 per day. Can’t believe Australian Govt hasn’t ordered enough and expect people to pay. What about those living in below poverty line payments like JobSeeker? pic.twitter.com/gboZXT6t43
— Toni Wren (@ToniWrenOz) December 30, 2021
Just ordered a packet of rapid tests online. For free.
— Brett Mcleod (@Brett_McLeod) January 3, 2022
Supplies have run down during Omicron, but in theory each household can do this this every day here in the UK.
Hundreds of millions of tests sent out so far. For free. https://t.co/82aqJWL2z2 pic.twitter.com/l48itUfiMg
My brother’s mail this morning, living in the UK outside of London. Free from the government. State capacity is a thing. pic.twitter.com/h4rYM9aGlW
— Noah Rosenblum (@narosenblum) December 29, 2021
Singapore
The Singaporean government sent households 10 free rapid antigen tests in the mail between October and December. It undertook a similar process, providing six tests per household, between August and September. The government also has a program that offers free rapid testing kits to employers, who then provide them to workers. By October, 11,000 businesses had signed up, reports the Straits Times.
Tests that are sold at retailers are also now considerably cheaper than those currently on offer in Australia, where tests had cost between $10 and $15 each, but have since exploded to as much as $30 to $40 a pop in some cases.
From 10 December, it was reported that Singaporean retailers were stocking “Flowflex” tests at $5 each, while a pack of five cost $24.
Singapore is distributing free Antigen Rapid Tests for Covid-19 to all households. Ours arrived in the mail today. https://t.co/MIAkmlyPDl pic.twitter.com/PPUDxykFDN
— Sense Hofstede (@sehof) September 1, 2021
Watching this thread makes me once again so happy to be in Singapore. Our ART tests are everywhere. Our oximeters were delivered for free by the government months ago. We're ready for omicron. (We probably have all been going through it tbh, with ART tests at home who knows). https://t.co/nWRrbUJyUP
— Glengyron (@glengyron) January 2, 2022
Malaysia
Home rapid test kits are considered a “controlled item” in Malaysia and supply is controlled by the government. They are sold at pharmacies with a capped price of $6.60, though they are often cheaper than that.
Aliya Ahmad, a Pakistani Australian visiting her parents who live in Malaysia, says tests tend to cost between $2 and $6 each. “The pharmacies and chemists are all over the place, at least in the city where I live,” Ahmad says. “Also, while I can only really speak for what I’ve been observing myself, it seems like general practice to take one before going to a big gathering or a house with elders.”
Rapid antigen tests in Malaysia are set at govt regulated prices to stop price gouging and are super cheap and everyone takes one before going to persons house or event or gathering and everyone wears masks and sanitises and checks in and it’s nice to be back 🥺
— aliya عالية (@_aloo_gobi) January 3, 2022
France
Since late last month, France has made self-administered rapid tests available at supermarkets. They are subject to price controls, meaning they cannot cost more than $8 per test. The government urged residents to use the tests before New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Portugal
Rapid antigen tests administered in pharmacies are free. Citizens can obtain four of these tests per month, though this was expanded to six tests in December during the lead up to Christmas.
Self-administered rapid antigen test kits are also available in shops, generally for about $4-6 per test. A negative rapid test is required to enter some venues throughout Portugal.
In Lisbon I went out for a meal. I had to have proof of a Covid test *that day*, but didn’t. So the restaurant sold me a Lateral flow test for €2.50. I went in & enjoyed my meal, with all the other tested customers. Pretty simple really. No fuss and no arguing about “freedoms”. pic.twitter.com/dLqXPIL7CU
— Mike Butcher (@mikebutcher) January 2, 2022
Canada
Some Canadian provinces, such as Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, have offered free rapid tests through local distribution centres. In the case of Nova Scotia, 400,000 tests were reportedly handed out in December through local libraries (the population is about 970,000), though the initiative concluded late last month. Ontario, home to Toronto, is offering a free take-home rapid test to residents as part of a holiday testing blitz that will last into this month.
The federal government also has a program offering free rapid tests to businesses.
Germany
Germany offers free rapid antigen tests once a week at testing centres. Self-administered take-home kits are also available at pharmacies and, according to Bloomberg, were on sale for as little as about $2.50 in November.
United States
The US has been hit by a shortage of rapid tests in many places and costs are broadly comparable with Australia.
In some cities, free tests are available to the general public for pick up, subject to supply. For example, Washington DC residents can pick up a free home rapid test from local schools.
#WashingtonDC says it will deliver a free rapid test to any resident who asks for one https://t.co/iMVAd1r3oX
— Aman Batheja (@amanbatheja) December 31, 2021
The Biden administration intends to distribute 500m rapid test kits free of charge to people to use at home. It’s expected the tests will be sent out from this month.
Free doesn’t always mean available
It should be noted that, like Australia, many of these countries have been hit by supply shortages. The Guardian reported that the UK’s free rapid tests system has been hit by supply issues that frustrated residents over the holiday period.
And, unlike some other countries, high-quality PCR tests do remain free in Australia, though the government is now trying to limit them to people who are symptomatic or high-risk close contacts.
With the Australian system under massive pressure, it has become incredibly hard to get a test and some results are taking as long as five days to come back.
National cabinet is expected to determine concessional arrangements that might give some Australians access to cheaper rapid antigen tests on Wednesday. Some states are also set to provide more details about their plans to distribute some free rapid tests, though these will likely only apply to certain vulnerable groups.
