People with disability can now get free rapid antigen tests until the end of the year
People with disability in Victoria can now get 20 free rapid antigen tests until 31 December 2022.
The free tests are available each time an eligible person visits a participating testing site or from a disability liaison officer. Carers can also access the tests on behalf of eligible people.
Eligible people with disability include:
- NDIS participants
- disability support pensioners
- people with disability who receive a TAC benefit.
Evidence of eligibility, such as an NDIS or TAC statement, is required.
To find out which testing sites have rapid antigen tests, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-a-covid-19-test.
Anyone unable to attend a participating testing site can ask a disability liaison officer for help:
- complete an online form from coronavirus.vic.gov.au
- email DLOcoordinator@dhhs.vic.gov.au.
More information about disability liaison officers is available on the vaccination for people with disability or special requirements page.
If you have any questions about rapid antigen testing, please call the 24/7 Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.
COVID Positive Pathways – program changes from 30 September to focus on those experiencing barriers to care
The COVID Positive Pathways model is changing. From 30 September 2022, it will focus on supporting those who experience barriers to accessing care or need support to recover.
The new model prioritises people who experience greater challenges to access primary care. It focuses on:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- people aged 80 years and older
- people living with disability or carers of people living with disability
- people needing help to recover at home, including
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- people currently facing disadvantage
- people in unstable accommodation or homeless
- people unsafe at home
- people of refugee or asylum seeker status
- people living in rural isolated communities.
Health Service Partnerships across Victoria will implement a community-focused COVID Positive Pathways service model to support local access to COVID-19 care and supports for Victorians. The community model recognises that most Victorians will access COVID care locally through their general practice or General Practice Respiratory Clinics if they need it.
Health Service Partnerships will play an important role to support integration and escalation pathways between health services and primary care. Victorians can contact the National Coronavirus Helpline (1800 020 080) if they need clinical advice or help to access care from a GP or GP Respiratory Clinic.
Information about the COVID Positive Pathways for the general public will be updated on 30 September, available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covid-positive-pathways.