Rapid COVID-19 tests to be available in supermarkets from next week

Rapid antigen COVID-19 tests will be soon be available in supermarkets around the country, with some Coles outlets stocking the kits as early as next week.

The Chinese-manufactured Hough Pharma nasal tests, which have a turnaround time of about 15 minutes, will be available from a selected 700 Coles stores nationally next week.

The kits are the first of eight rapid antigen tests approved by the medicines' regulator to be rolled out across the country.

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It's believed they will be available in packs of two or five in-store and online.

A spokesperson for Woolworths told the Sydney Morning Herald, that they were also looking to roll out rapid testing kits, first starting with states like New South Wales and Victoria, that are currently managing outbreaks.

Estimates have the price of the kits pegged at between $10 to $30.

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The Australian Association of Convenience Stores has also confirmed that the kits would be available at service stations and convenience stores.

CEO Theo Foukkare said the sector had been pushing hard for the testing kits to be made available as soon as possible.

"Our sector has been operating throughout the pandemic and have seen firsthand the effects that a positive case can have on other staff who have had to isolate for a period of time, which ultimately flows on to disruption in business operations," Mr Foukkare said.

In a release, the Association said the testing kits would retail in petrol and convenience stores for "around" $30 for a pack of two.

The first lot of tests were approved back in September by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and another batch was given the green light earlier this month.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said at the time that the kits were an integral part of Australia's reopening plan.

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"This is an important additional protection for Australians," Mr Hunt said.

"Home testing will support Australians and support the national (reopening) plan."

New South Wales recorded 282 new COVID-19 cases yesterday and one death, while in Victoria, just days away from the state's second phase of reopening, 1510 cases were reported and a further four deaths.

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Both states have experienced some of the highest vaccine coverage in the country, with NSW on track to reach 90 per cent double doses, and Victoria is expected to exceed 80 per cent on Friday.