Free Rapid Antigen Tests for Western Australians at public pop-ups

  • Thousands more free Rapid Antigen Tests on offer for Western Australians
  • Free RATs to be handed out at train stations, shopping centres, major events, universities and TAFEs throughout the State, with no registration required
  • Initiative is part of second phase of WA’s Free RAT Program and complements the 15 free RATs being distributed to each household 
  • In an Australian-first, 500,000 free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will be handed out throughout the Western Australian community at pop-up distribution points across the State in the coming weeks.

    To make it even more convenient for the WA community to be prepared for COVID-19 and stay safe, from today, free RATs will be handed out at pop-up sites, without the need to register beforehand.

    Train stations at Armadale, Cannington, Perth, Leederville, Warwick, Midland and Bassendean will be the first to have free RATs, with more pop-ups to follow next week.

    They will also be handed out at the Perth Wildcats game at RAC Arena and the West Coast Eagles game at Optus Stadium this weekend.

    Thousands of free RATs will be distributed next week at various shopping centres in Mirrabooka, Bassendean, Girrawheen, Belmont and Melville, as well as on campus at a range of universities and TAFEs.

    Free RATs at public pop-ups will be disseminated at numerous locations in regional WA including Broome, Geraldton, Albany and Bunbury, commencing from March 28.

    Western Australians having access to free RATs is all part of the McGowan Government’s commitment to ensure the community is well placed and COVID-ready by self-administering quick at-home tests to detect COVID-19 and keep our community safe.

    A full list of upcoming RAT distribution points will be available and more information about the WA Free RAT Program is available at wa.gov.au or by phoning 13 COVID (13 26843).

    This initiative is part of the second phase of WA’s Free RAT Program announced earlier this week, which complements the distribution of 15 free RATs for every WA household.

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “As well as being one of the most highly vaccinated places in the world, Western Australians can equip themselves even further to minimise the impacts of Omicron with more free RATs to keep themselves safe and to use when they need them.

    “We want to make sure each and every Western Australian household has the opportunity to access free RATs via the WA Free RAT Program, and can conveniently pick them up for free when they are out and about in the community.”

    As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

    “Accessing these extra free RATs in more convenient locations in metropolitan and regional areas means more people will be able to prepare their households to deal with the risks of Omicron, without adding additional pressure on household budgets.

    “It is heartening to see participating sites and organisations band together to help distribute extra RATs and help the community prepare for the impacts of Omicron.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.