Need Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)?

ACA NSW appreciates the assistance of the NSW Department of Education in their provision of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to educators via early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. And given the challenges of sourcing these RATs, it is likely that the NSW Department of Education intends to send more when available.

It is worth noting that following the National Cabinet meeting of 20 January 2022, ACA NSW understands that the Commonwealth and NSW Governments are primarily providing "free" RATs to ECEC services under the existing arrangements outlined above and under surveillance testing. 

The governments' surveillance testing appears to be:

• distribution of "free" and limited quantities of RATs
  
• initially for at least 4 weeks
  
• provided RATs are for your staff only

The NSW Department of Education's advice (23 January 2022) suggested surveillance testing of staff to be twice per week and makes no mention of it being mandatory. 

The above may not guarantee adequacy of supply of RATs, nor does it sufficiently highlight the Work Health and Safety obligations that continue to exist. 

As such, and at least in the short term, it is obvious that ECEC services will continue to experience challenges to source RATs for their educators, teachers and support staff, let alone for children and their families.

Therefore, and in concert with ACA National, ACA NSW may be able to assist with the supply and delivery of RATs to ECEC services by end January 2022.

While ACA NSW encourages ECEC services direct thier parents/guardians to register their expressions of interests for RATs, ACA NSW members can submit their expressions of interest of RATs for their ECEC services for the period of 31 January 2022 to 28 February 2022:

REGISTER YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST OF
RAPID ANTIGENT TESTS HERE

Once supply and delivery arrangements have been confirmed, those who have registered their interests above will be given priority access to submit and confirm their orders, payments and addresses for delivery.

ACA NSW anticipates the price per RAT should be about $15.00 inc GST. These RATs will be on the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Approved List and are likely to be clinically rated as "High Sensitivity" to "Very High Sensitivity".

Members can also refer to ACA NSW's "Is your service COVIDready?" for all legal and regulatory obligations, references, tools and frequently asked questions and answers that are relevant to ECEC services.

For any further information/clarification, please contact the ACA NSW team on 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.

PUBLISHED: 21 JANUARY 2022