Getting tested for coronavirus

Stay informed with the latest updates on coronavirus (COVID-19).

Getting tested for coronavirus

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, you should get tested.

COVID-19 symptoms are: fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste.

People with no symptoms can also be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) in very specific circumstances:

if they are a close contact exposed to someone known to have coronavirus (COVID-19)
as part of an outbreak investigation and response by the Department of Health, including visiting a known exposure site
if they are a returned international traveller
if they have visited a high risk interstate location
if they are due to have surgery or a planned hospital stay
if they are part of a targeted testing program across an industry or group.

About the test

The test is free for everyone.
The test takes around a minute and involves a swab from the back of your throat and nose.
You need to bring your Medicare card. If you don’t have a Medicare card then bring one form of identification, like your driver’s licence or student ID.

Self-isolation requirements

You should return home immediately after the test and remain in self-isolation until you receive your test result, OR if your test was a hospital pre-admission requirement (e.g. prior to surgery or having a baby), you should self-isolate until your admission.
If you have been identified as needing to quarantine by authorised officers (e.g. as a close contact or because you have visited an interstate high risk location), you will need to quarantine for the full 14 days, regardless of whether you have received a negative test.

Visit the Department of Health Victoria website to learn more about getting tested for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Information about getting tested for coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Department of Health Victoria website provides step-by-step advice for when and how to get tested for coronavirus.

Fast track the COVID-19 screening process – complete the online Testing Registration form

In partnership with the Department of Health, we’ve introduced the online Testing Registration form at all Monash Health testing sites to speed up the screening process.

What do I do?

Simply visit the Department of Health’s Testing Registration website before attending the testing site, or while you wait.

For families, you also have the option to register family members (dependents) who are under 16 years of age.

Once you have completed your details, you’ll receive an eight-digit unique registration code, which will be valid for 90 days. This means that if you attend another site for testing during this time, you won’t need to resupply your information.

When it’s your turn to be tested, please provide your code to our team. They will then be able to quickly pull up your information.

Please remember, you must still bring your Medicare card.

Completing the form is optional, but it will save you time.

The information you provide will be collected by the Department of Health and stored securely.

For more information, visit the Department of Health Victoria website or call their hotline on 1300 650 172.