Demand for RAT tests outstripping supply across Australia amid COVID-19 surge

Demand for Rapid Antigen Tests is far outstripping supply across Australia as people rush to self-swab for COVID-19.

The Omicron strain of the virus has significantly increased demand for the tests, as has the government announcing confirmed close contacts and people with symptoms can conduct their own at home tests.

Kate Kaller from Crows Nest's Day Night Chemist said the pharmacy had not had any tests in stock since December 29, when 500 tests were snapped up within two hours of being delivered.

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The self swabs cost as little as one to two dollars in Europe, but Australians are paying as much as $20 a test.

In some European cities the tests are free, yet Prime Minister Scott Morrison made it clear this week that "the governments of Australia, commonwealth, state and federal, are not going to do that".

However, 34 million free tests are on the way to Victoria courtesy of the Victorian government.

The Pharmacy Guild has also opposed making the tests completely free, instead supporting subsidising the cost for low-income families while making others pay to stop the system being swamped.

"They ought to be prioritised for the at-need populations first," Pharmacy Guild of Australia's David Heffernan said.

"So we're working with models with the government on how to do that as we speak.

However, the Australian Council of Trade Unions does not agreed.

"Leadership would be making those tests free and widely available and not allowing individual businesses to be profiteering out of this," President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Michele O'Neil said.