As of about 7.10pm on Monday, two Canberra testing clinics, the two open testing clinics had a wait time of 90 minutes at minimum.
ACT Health said the wait time at Garran walk-in clinic, which closes at 9pm, is 90 minutes minimum. The wait time at the Mitchell drive-through clinic is at least three hours. The other two sites are closed.
Wait times on Monday evening, January 3
- Garran testing clinic (open 7.30am to 9pm): 1 hour 30 mins +
- Mitchell drive-through testing clinic (open 8am to 10pm): 3 hours +
- Kambah drive-through testing clinic (open 8am to 4pm): closed for the day
- Nicholls (Gold Creek) testing clinic* (open 8am to 4pm): closed for the day
Please continue to show kindness and respect to staff at the testing clinics who are here to help you. Being aggressive towards them doesn't help your care.
Testing costs to change
Canberrans looking to get a PCR test to go overseas, will now have to pay at least $145 for the test.
ACT Health said Canberrans heading overseas and needing a COVID-19 test and vaccination certification will no longer be able to get them from any ACT government clinics. They were previously offered at the Mitchell and Garran testing sites.
ACT Health said they can be purchased at Capital Pathology clinics. Capital Pathology charges $145 for a COVID-19 PCR test. It costs $195 to get both a COVID-19 PCR test and IgM antibody test.
The Australian government does not cover the fee for tests required for international travel.
"International travellers are strongly encouraged to check with their destination, transit country and airline for travel requirements and recommended timeframe required to demonstrate a negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to leaving," ACT Health said.
"[Results] from Capital Pathology can take up to 48 hours".
PCR tests needed for domestic travel to a state or territory which requires a negative result before entering are funded by the Australian government.
