COVID Screening Clinic

Our testing site closed on December 31, 2022. 

From January 1, 2023 Bendigo Health will not be distrubting RATs. The City of Greater Bendigo will be providing free RATs from their customer service offices in Bendigo (Hopetoun Street) and Heathcote (High Street). For more information call 1300 002 642.

Golfields Libraries will also be distrubuting RATs at the Bendigo, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat libraries. More info: https://www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/

PCR tests can be arranged via your local GP or respiratory clinic.

Rapid Antigen Tests

Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are the preferred means of testing for COVID for most Victorians.

They are quick and accurate, particularly if you have symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID.

You should take a rapid antigen test:

• if you have symptoms of COVID infection, no matter how mild
• if you are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID
• if you are a social contact of someone who has COVID. This includes workplaces and educational facilities
• before attending a crowded event, social gathering or visiting people at risk of serious illness, for example, when a test is required to attend a hospital or other health care setting. This is because COVID can spread before you have symptoms. You can help protect others by checking you are negative before leaving home
• as part of a screening program, such as one organised by your employer.

If you return a negative rapid antigen test

If you have COVID symptoms and you return a negative rapid antigen test you should stay home until your symptoms go away. Repeat rapid antigen testing over the next several days.

Rapid antigen tests are better able to detect COVID when repeated over successive days but will not detect other respiratory viruses, such as influenza.

If you return a positive rapid antigen test

If you test positive on a rapid antigen test you are a COVID case. You must report your positive result to the Department of Health and follow the Checklist for COVID Cases, including isolating for 7 days.

When PCR testing is available

If you have COVID symptoms, you should take a rapid antigen test. PCR tests can be arranged via your local GP or respiratory clinic.