COVID-19 Testing – How and Where to get Tested in South Australia
There are currently around 48 COVID-19 testing facilities in South Australia, so if you are displaying even mild symptoms of COVID-19, the advice from SA Health is to be tested.
Updated Wednesday 15 May 2023
You should get tested as soon as you develop any COVID-19 symptoms. This applies to all people, including close contacts.
COVID-19 symptoms include:
- fever (a temperature of 37.5˚C or higher) or chills
- cough
- loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- tiredness (fatigue)
- runny or blocked nose
- shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- headache
- muscle or joint pain
- loss of appetite
Call 000 (Triple Zero) in an emergency, such as having difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Severe illness and fatalities occur more often in people who are older, have chronic conditions (e.g. cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension) or are immunocompromised (e.g. cancer, renal disease). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may also be at increased risk.
Click here for COVID-19 close contact advice
TESTING FOR COVID-19
Rapid Antigen Testing
In South Australia, rapid antigen tests can be sed as a test to diagnose COVID-19. This means that if you test positive using a rapid antigen test, your result does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test.
Reporting your rapid antigen test result assists with providing an understanding of cases in the community and also helps you to identify if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
Free rapid antigen tests are available for:
- people with disability or who are immunocompromised
- a carer of someone with disability or who is immunocompromised
- eligible Concession Card holders (including Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and Department of Veterans Affairs Concession Card)
You do not need to register before collecting free rapid antigen tests, but you will be required to show your eligible concession card.
FIND OUT WHERE TO GET FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS
Click here for more information about reporting your rapid antigen test results
PCR testing
PCR testing is available if you have COVID-19 symptoms. PCR testing is recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who test negative using a rapid antigen test.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PCR TESTING HERE
PCR Testing Stations
PCR testing is available without a GP referral at dedicated SA Pathology sites:
- Adelaide (Frome Road)
- Brighton
- Mount Barker
- Salisbury
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics | South Australia
Full panel respiratory testing
Full-panel respiratory testing is available by GP referral at select pathology collection centres across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
- SA Pathology COVID-19 testing (GP referral preferred at regional locations)
- Clinpath COVID-19 testing
- Australian Clinical Labs COVID-19 testing
GP-led Respiratory Clinics
GP-led Respiratory Clinics are available across the Adelaide metropolitan area to support the assessment of anyone experiencing mild to moderate respiratory conditions. Selected respiratory clinics also provide COVID-19 vaccinations to those eligible.
What to expect at a GP Respiratory Clinic:
- No referral needed, book online or over the phone
- Strictly appointment only, no walk-in appointments will be provided
- Onsite COVID-19 testing for patients who meet the testing criteria
- COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible patients selected clinics
Patients will receive GP-led assessment of their symptoms and initial advice for any condition diagnosed during the appointment - Ongoing care will transition back to their usual GP following the appointment
- All services are provided at no cost to the patient
The Commonwealth funds four GP Respiratory Clinics within the Adelaide metropolitan area including:
- Adelaide Central Respiratory Clinic (12 Glen Osmond Rd, Parkside)
- North Eastern Respiratory Clinic / Northern Vaccination Clinic (1185 Main North Road, Pooraka)
- Reynella Respiratory and Vaccine Clinic (216 Old South Road, Old Reynella)
- Athelstone Respiratory COVID Clinic (33 Fox Ave, Athelstone)
If you are unsure what to do, call SA COVID Information Line on 1800 253 787.
Follow the official SA Health Facebook page for announcements about the opening and closing of testing clinics.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics | South Australia
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services testing
If you would like to know more about COVID-19, or feel that you have some symptoms, please call your local SA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
What To Do After Your Test
If you have a Negative Test Result
It is important that you follow medical advice from SA Health. If you receive a negative test result, you should still stay at home and not attend work, school or childcare until you are feeling well again.
If you have a Positive Test Result
If you have received a positive result for COVID-19, visit the Information about a positive result for COVID-19 page for information about what to do.
Advice from SA Health
To protect yourself and others and help stop the spread of coronavirus:
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Practice good hygiene like covering coughs and sneezes and wiping down surfaces.
- Stay 1.5 metres apart wherever you can.
- Stay at home if you are unwell.
- Get tested for COVID-19 as soon as symptoms appear, no matter how mild.
- Wear a face mask when required or when you can’t physically distance..
Face Masks
Face masks are an additional physical barrier and help to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Read more about face masks here
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 IN SA
OFFICIAL RESOURCES
- Coronavirus Health Information Line: 1800 020 080
- Australian Government Department of Health website
- SA Health website
- Smart traveller website
- SA Health Facebook Page
- Health Direct website
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics | South Australia
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Image Source: SA Health
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