Where to get a pre-flight COVID-19 test?

[milehighclub]

For anyone departing Sydney, consider the International Airport testing site by Histopath. One hour turnaround (my friend only took 32 minutes) and is $150. They also do a 4 hour turnaround for $100 (and that is the cheapest I've seen anywhere).

If you book online (no pre payment required - pay onsite) then you just quote the reference number and it is even faster, just show ID, pay and its done. My friend was in there for less than 2 minutes.

Airport | Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

Conveniently located at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane International Airports, our highly skilled team and cutting-edge technology means we can offer you your COVID results in under 90 minutes.

www.histopath.com.au

 

[Princess Fiona]

There is a public hospital just north of the CBD that might just fit the bill ....... as you are coming from an orange zone you need to be tested within 72h and isolating till you get your result....
Turnaround time at worst recently overnight but depends really on batching...

And I’m a HCW

 

[Mattg]

The NZ government website now has a list of private pathology service providers in different Australian states & territories (under "Find testing locations overseas"):

International travel

Information for air and sea travellers about entering and leaving New Zealand.

covid19.govt.nz

 

[henrus]

In an odd turn of events, NZ looks like the 72-hour rule may remain. Whilst less useful to those of us starting in Australia, if your trip from NZ to AU is less than 72 hours then you don't need a negative test, this makes short trips from NZ to AU possible.

 

[RooFlyer]

The NZ government website now has a list of private pathology service providers in different Australian states & territories (under "Find testing locations overseas"):

Nice, thanks. I'll try to tell them that their Healius link for Tasmania points that it doesn't operate in Tasmania.

You have to make sure you get the results in the right format:

View attachment 251898

See post below for image

 

[henrus]

You have to make sure you get the results in the right format:

Attachment there isn't quite working.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yeah sorry, I’ll fix it when I get home. It’s from the NZ page listing the details they need on any lab report. SMS ok if it has a compliant lab report attached.

 

[kpc]

This negative Covid test requirement will add another $300 for both of us if we go to NZ for a holiday...along with the risk of being stuck there, I have put a holiday to NZ off indefinitely.

 

[k_sheep]

Somewhat annoying they don't accept results from the public laboratories, who have the most robust quality systems

 

[Berlin]

In an odd turn of events, NZ looks like the 72-hour rule may remain. Whilst less useful to those of us starting in Australia, if your trip from NZ to AU is less than 72 hours then you don't need a negative test, this makes short trips from NZ to AU possible.

Wow- can’t believe this is for real! That means that most of my upcoming trips will be exempt because I usually only fly over Friday afternoon and then back on Monday.


And the wording specifically states “Time in Australia” so not even counting the flight time which means I’ll easily be under. That’s awesome news for me and will save me a fair bit of money. Not to mention the highly uncomfortable poke in the back of the nose

 

[henrus]

Wow- can’t believe this is for real! That means that most of my upcoming trips will be exempt because I usually only fly over Friday afternoon and then back on Monday.

Yep, the wording was updated from they may introduce a 72-hour exemption (which it was the other day) to now indicate that will be the case:

"You must get a pre-departure test if you have been in Australia for more than 72 hours. You do not need to get one if you have been in Australia for less than 72 hours." - Pre-departure tests to enter New Zealand

It's not yet confirmed but Norfolk Island may also be exempt. Would make a stop in Norfolk Island slightly more appealing.

BNE/SYD-NLK-AKL is ~$800 (not including a night's accommodation) whereas BNE/SYD-AKL is ~$500 (once you factor in a test). Who knows if they stick with this rule then there may indeed be some who stop via Norfolk Island to avoid the testing requirements.

 

[Berlin]

Yep, the wording was updated from they may introduce a 72-hour exemption (which it was the other day) to now indicate that will be the case:

That’s just so awesome for someone like me who just wants to come home to Australia quickly for some much needed time with friends and family and to stock up in supplies.

Will save me around 1000 bucks over the coming months, provided bubble being open and flights going of course.

 

[Matt_01]

What is the difference between pre travel testing and paying for it than the drive through public testing. I think the the public ones are PCR so would not that meet the requirement.

 

[Mattg]

Yep, the wording was updated from they may introduce a 72-hour exemption (which it was the other day) to now indicate that will be the case:



It's not yet confirmed but Norfolk Island may also be exempt. Would make a stop in Norfolk Island slightly more appealing.

BNE/SYD-NLK-AKL is ~$800 (not including a night's accommodation) whereas BNE/SYD-AKL is ~$500 (once you factor in a test). Who knows if they stick with this rule then there may indeed be some who stop via Norfolk Island to avoid the testing requirements.

Considering NLK-AKL is only once per week on a Saab 340 (with around 34 seats), and the NLK-AKL flight is more expensive than getting a test, I don't think many will be doing this. Anyway, I'm not sure Norfolk Island would have the capacity to test large numbers of passengers bound for New Zealand.

 

[RooFlyer]

Test documentation required for travel to NZ:

 

[oz_mark]

What is the difference between pre travel testing and paying for it than the drive through public testing. I think the the public ones are PCR so would not that meet the requirement.

Don't know about other states, but in WA you just get a text message about your results. I think NZ wants a bit more documentation than that.

 

[Pushka]

Don't know about other states, but in WA you just get a text message about your results. I think NZ wants a bit more documentation than that.

Although I understand if you get your GP to sign for a Covid test then they receive the result and can print it off. This is free but some GP's may not be willing to do this for travel purposes.

 

[RooFlyer]

Although I understand if you get your GP to sign for a Covid test then they receive the result and can print it off. This is free but some GP's may not be willing to do this for travel purposes.

Mine wrote on the pathology request "Result direct to patient".

I'm going to see the lab on Tuesday to make sure they can include all the details NZ want on their report, before I take the test in a few weeks.

 

[Matt_01]

Mine wrote on the pathology request "Result direct to patient".

I'm going to see the lab on Tuesday to make sure they can include all the details NZ want on their report, before I take the test in a few weeks.

Would you mind providing feedback if this is realised. In SA I seem to remember at the height of testing last year getting an email with test results that could be printed. This was also a time that if your child was off school for a few days sick with a cold the school MIssM went to would not let the kids back without documented evidence that they had been tested and were not positive to Covid.

@oz_mark I am in SA and last time I had a covid test the test results were sent as a SMS and once you see the results as negative I did not pay to much attention to the rest of the txt. From memory there was a name, time and date, results and possibly test type I cannot remember.

 

[Pushka]

Would you mind providing feedback if this is realised. In SA I seem to remember at the height of testing last year getting an email with test results that could be printed. This was also a time that if your child was off school for a few days sick with a cold the school MIssM went to would not let the kids back without documented evidence that they had been tested and were not positive to Covid.

@oz_mark I am in SA and last time I had a covid test the test results were sent as a SMS and once you see the results as negative I did not pay to much attention to the rest of the txt. From memory there was a name, time and date, results and possibly test type I cannot remember.

Now you mention it, the Covid test appears in the My Health Record, and St Nicola's name appears.