Australia VTL: ART replaces PCR testing for international arrivals to Melbourne

Getting a COVID-19 PCR test in New South Wales (NSW) or Victoria has been an arduous task of late, with queues lasting several hours and results taking more than three days to come back. This testing meltdown was sparked by decreased capacity over the Christmas and New Year’s period, as well as a spike in demand from interstate travel and Omicron.

To alleviate pressure on the system, NSW announced yesterday that from 31 December 2021, international arrivals could take a self-administered COVID-19 ART (also known as a RAT in Australia) on arrival, instead of a PCR test. Now Victoria has announced a similar move, which is great news for travellers to Melbourne.

Unlike Sydney, however, Melbourne travellers will still need to take a Day 5 to 7 test (albeit with a self-administered ART as well). 

Victoria switches on-arrival test to self-administered ARTs

From 12.01 a.m on Friday, 31 December 2021, fully vaccinated international passengers arriving in Victoria must comply with the following:

To summarise, travellers will take an ART within 24 hours of arrival, and once a negative result is received, are free to cease self-isolation. 

I think these instructions were written with the assumption you don’t have a self-test ART kit on hand at the airport, or else you could just do it at the terminal and be free to move about 15 minutes later. 

For avoidance of doubt, there’s no need to do a professionally-administered ART; self-test kits are acceptable. 

Do note that even though Sydney removed its Day 6 test requirement, Melbourne travellers will still need to do a further ART or PCR test between Day 5 and 7 after arrival (the day of arrival is Day 0). This won’t be a major inconvenience anyway, since you can do it at your hotel or at home.

There is no need to report the results of either test, but as a precaution, I’d take time-stamped photos of the results for verification. 

You are not allowed to enter sensitive settings such as school, childcare or early childhood services, residential aged care facilities, disability residential services or hospitals (other than to receive urgent medical care) for the first 7 days, but I doubt those will be on your holiday itinerary anyway.

What kind of ART kits can I use?

ART kits in Australia are overseen by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA has a list of approved home test kits, as well as a copy of the manufacturer’s instructions for each test. 

Two of the kits sold in Singapore pharmacies are accepted in Australia, namely:

• Abbott Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test
• SD Biosensor SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal

With regards to SD Biosensor, note that it’s the white kit with blue text that’s approved for use in Australia, not the white kit with pink text (Standard Q). I don’t see Flowflex or QuickVue on the TGA’s list, so don’t bring those. 

Kits start from S$4.90 each at pharmacies in Singapore, and I strongly advise you bring them over with you. ART kits are running short in Australia. 

Revised requirements for travel to Australia

With the latest changes, here’s a snapshot of the revised requirements for travel from Singapore to Australia. 

Conclusion

It’s great to see Victoria joining NSW in taking a sensible approach towards COVID-19 testing. ARTs may not offer the same level of sensitivity as PCR tests, but we’re talking about fully vaccinated individuals anyway, and the shorter lead times provide much greater convenience. 

You could basically be off the plane and free to move about within 15 minutes, which means practically no more self-isolation on arrival. 

Do remember to pack your own ART kits when travelling over to Australia, however, as the shortages there could get quite acute soon.