Widespread reporting that supplies of rapid antigen test (RAT) kits are being redirected to the Commonwealth Department of Health are untrue.
The Department of Health reaffirms that the Department has not requisitioned all RAT supplies within and entering Australia.
The Department has made purchases in accordance with Commonwealth Procurement Rules, and has not sought to place itself ahead of other commercial and retail entities.
While we are aware there are supply constraints within the market, it is expected supply will normalise over the coming weeks.
The Australian Government has secured more than 80 million RATs for delivery in January and February. State and territory governments also advise that they have placed orders for approximately 130 million RATs.
