COVID-19 PCR testing in NSW has changed. For most people, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, please do a rapid antigen test (RAT).
If your doctor recommends a COVID-19 PCR test, they will give you a pathology referral form for a free COVID-19 PCR test. The referral form will have a private pathology provider location to visit so you can get tested.
If you are a patient presenting to a NSW Health facility and need to be admitted to hospital, you will be assessed for symptoms of an acute respiratory infection (ARI). You might be required to have a RAT or PCR.
If you require urgent medical assistance, call triple zero (000) and let the operator know you are COVID-19 positive.
Visit the NSW Health website to learn what COVID-19 test should I do?
PCR tests
The NSW Health Pathology COVID-19 Results Service and Results Portal closed on 31 October 2023. This means that if you’ve had a COVID-19 PCR test through a NSW Health provider, you will need to follow up your result from your GP or the treating clinician who requested the test. Results will no longer be provided by SMS or via the Results Portal.
Private pathology providers, may vary, so ask them about receiving your results when you have your test.
If you have previously used the Results Portal on NSW Health Pathology’s website , you will be able to access your historical results until 31 December 2023.
COVID-19 rapid antigen test updates
From 1 October 2023, you will no longer be able to:
- register a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) result with Service NSW. This is because the Service NSW RAT portal will close on this date
- collect free RATs at Service NSW locations and recovery centres.
NSW Health still recommends you should stay at home and not visit high risk settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals if you have cold or flu symptoms. This is to help protect other people. Find out what to do if your RAT is positive or negative.
If you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, speak to your doctor and make a plan about testing and antiviral medicines before you get sick. If you are unwell and can’t contact your doctor, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or use the online Service Finder.
PCR test results
Where did you get tested?
The Results Portal
The NSW Health Pathology COVID-19 Results Service and Results Portal closed on 31 October 2023. This means that if you’ve had a COVID-19 PCR test through a NSW Health provider, you will need to follow up your result from your GP or the treating clinician who requested the test. Results will no longer be provided by SMS or via the Results Portal.
If you have previously used the NSW Health Pathology Results Portal you will be able to access your historical results until 31 December 2023.
Many private pathology providers also perform COVID-19 testing. We can’t access their records so contact them directly for your result or talk to your GP.
Private pathology providers and their phone numbers for results are below:
- Laverty Pathology – 02 9005 7077
- 4Cyte Pathology – 13 42 98
- Australian Clinical Laboratories – 1300 134 111
- Capital Pathology – 02 6285 9803
- Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology – 02 9855 6116
- Histopath Diagnostic Specialists – 02 9878 8111
- Medlab Pathology – 1300 633 522
- Southern IML Pathology – 1300 652 200
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology – 07 3377 8756
- SydPath Pathology, St Vincent's Hospital – 02 8382 9100
Information on which COVID-19 test best suits your particular requirements is available on the NSW Health website.
If you require urgent medical assistance, call triple zero (000).