Your Go-To Guide: Rapid Antigen Tests

This guide has been developed to support families using rapid antigen tests (RATs).

How to access more RATs

All students now have two RATs as part of their COVID-19 care pack. As you use your supply of RATs, parents and carers must ask for more RATs at school via the Administration Office. Each student has access to two RATs per week if requested.

It’s important to note that if you have run out of school issued RATs, and your child has symptoms, please don’t attend school to collect a RAT. Instead, we encourage you to reach out to the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to obtain a RAT. Thank you for your cooperation on this.

How to use a RAT

Your child only needs to use a RAT if they have COVID-19 symptoms. If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, they must stay at home and use a RAT.

Please refer to Public Health’s easy-to-follow instructions on how to use a RAT. In the information pamphlet contained in your rapid antigen test, under section 6.0 there is an instruction stating ‘you must take a laboratory PCR test immediately’ if your RAT tests positive. Public Health assures us that school staff and students do not need to do a PCR test if their RAT tests positive.

What to do with your test result

If a negative result is returned, and your child is feeling well, they can attend school.

If your child tests COVID-19 positive, you must immediately let us know, and complete the Public Health form. You must follow Public Health advice. During your child’s isolation period, if they feel well they can access learning via the Virtual Learning Centre.

If someone in your household tests COVID-19 positive, you must immediately let us know that your child is a close contact and follow Public Health instructions. Your child can access learning via the Virtual Learning Centre during this time.

If you have any questions, please contact the school office. For more information, please visit the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website or contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or Department of Education COVID Support Hotline at COVID19support@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 816 057.