Tested positive?

If you test positive for COVID-19 it is important to look after your health and get help if needed. Find out more about simple steps to follow.

Register a positive RAT result

If you have tested positive on a RAT, notify Public Health by completing the online declaration form or calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.

You may complete the form or phone with details on behalf of another person.

You should do this as soon as possible. Positive RAT results cannot be registered after 10 days.

Registration of your result means:

• your GP is made aware of your result
• you can access the care and support you need, including through the [email protected] program
• if you work in a high-risk setting you may be eligible for financial assistance. Read more on Services Australia website
• you receive up to date information from Public Health on access to care and ways to keep others safe
• evidence of a positive test result after receiving an SMS message from Public Health
• Public Health is able to continue to assess and provide information on the risk of COVID-19 in the community.

If you have a positive PCR test result, you do not need to report a positive RAT result.

Look after your health

Most people who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations who have COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms and be able to recover at home.

 

The [email protected] team is available for advice and support for anyone who has COVID-19 or is caring for someone with COVID-19. Call the team at any time on 1800 973 363.

You will receive an SMS after you register a positive RAT test result or get a notification of a positive PCR result.

• This SMS will contain a survey. Your response will help Public Health understand the level of care you might need based on your personal preference and circumstances, and on how unwell you feel.
• The survey will also ask if you would like to be enrolled in [email protected]. Enrolling in [email protected] is optional.

If you are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, it is important you seek antiviral treatment as soon as possible to ensure it is most effective in treating your illness. 

Contact your GP if you test positive to COVID-19. If you don’t have a regular GP, call the [email protected] care team on 1800 973 363.

If your symptoms get seriously worse, especially if it happens very suddenly, or you feel like it’s an emergency, call triple zero (000) or go straight to hospital. Make sure you tell them you have COVID-19.

Reduce the risk to others

If you have COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses like the flu, you can infect others. Follow the behaviours we have learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect your family and friends.

If you test positive for COVID-19 you may be infectious for up to 10 days.

You are most infectious:

• just before your symptoms start, and
• while you have acute symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever).

To reduce the risk to others you should stay home until your symptoms have resolved.

And for at least seven days Public Health recommends:

• wearing a face mask in indoor spaces, on Public Transport, and when visiting people who may be at risk of severe illness 
• avoid visiting high-risk settings including a hospital, or a residential aged care facility or disability residential setting 
• avoid large gatherings and indoor crowded places.

For more information go to the current risk level page

Let your close contacts know

Tell your close contacts that you have COVID-19 or another respiratory infection as they are at increased risk of getting COVID-19.

Close contacts are usually people that live with you or spend a lot of time indoors with. They are at higher risk of catching COVID-19 from you and then passing the virus on to others.

A close contact may be:

• anyone who has stayed overnight in the same premises as a case during their infectious period, or
• anyone who has spent more than four hours (over a 24-hour period) in a residential setting with a case during their infectious period.

Public Health recommends close contacts take some simple steps to help reduce the risk to others especially those at risk of severe illness. Find out more about advice for close contacts

Let your workplace know

Workers should tell their workplace if they test positive. Individual workplaces may have policies in place such as working from home or wearing a mask when in the workplace.

Check your workplace policy or visit advice for workplaces for more information.

Workers in high risk settings (hospitals, aged care and disability facilities) or those providing in-home care aged or disability services may not be able to attend work for seven days after testing positive for COVID-19.

Working with people at higher risk

There may be special requirements from workers in high risk settings (hospitals, aged care and disability facilities) and those providing in-home care aged or disability services to protect those at higher risk of severe disease.

This includes not attending work premises or coming into contact with people at higher risk of disease for 7 days after testing positive for COVID-19.

Check your workplace policy or visit vulnerable people and high risk settings for more information.