The McGowan Government’s Free Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Program continues to expand, with Western Australians soon able to access 200,000 free RATs at regional community resource centres across the State.
The supply to centres further supports regional communities and vulnerable members of the community in accessing free RATs, helping them to self-administer COVID-19 testing to quickly detect the virus.
The free RATs will be available at regional community resource centres from the week commencing April 18.
The WA Free RAT Program has reached communities across the State, with more than 8.5 million free RATs accessed by Western Australians since its launch in late February.
More than 7.5 million free RATs have been provided to registered households through home deliveries and pick-up collection points.
Of the 739,153 household registrations as part of the WA Free RAT Program, 679,017 orders have been distributed or dispatched.
The McGowan Government has also distributed almost 740,000 free RATs to the community via pop-up distribution sites at shopping centres, train stations, universities, TAFEs and major events. This includes more than 450,000 free RATs distributed in the metropolitan area and more than 280,000 across regional WA.
Community service organisations and Members of Parliament have also distributed free RATs across the State, providing over 140,000 free RATs directly to local communities.
Regional and remote communities have received 71,100 free RATs as part of the WA Free RAT Program, distributed by local health and medical services.
Each WA household can register to receive 15 free RATs through the WA Free RAT Program.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“My Government’s free RAT program is to ensure Western Australians have access to free RATs to keep themselves safe.
“Community resource centres provide so much for the community already, particularly in regional Western Australia, where they have such strong local connections.
“Distributing free RATs at community resource centres builds on our work to support regional and vulnerable communities.
“No other jurisdiction has gone to the lengths we have to make sure that every person in WA can access free RATs through these various initiatives.”
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“Community resources centres provide essential support to people across the State.
“Distributing free RATs to centres makes sure that those who need them can easily access them, providing peace of mind to the community who visit these locations.
“RATs play an important and convenient part in managing the impacts and minimising the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“We have been very keen to have community resources centres recognised as great centres for getting RATs out into smaller communities.
“Community resources centres are linked-in with their communities and can make sure RATs go to where they are most needed.”
