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COVID-19 PCR travel testing in New South Wales

When choosing a collection location, it is important to select a centre near you. For your ease and convenience, please see below for our Sonic pathology practices that service New South Wales (NSW).

  • Areas of Greater Sydney, north NSW (up to Port Macquarie) and regional NSW are serviced by Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology (DHM). 
    Check if DHM is your collection location. 

  • Areas of Canberra, Yass, Goulburn, Cooma, Jindabyne and Bega areas are serviced by Capital Pathology.
    Check if Capital Pathology is your collection location.

  • Parts of south east NSW (Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla regions) are serviced by Southern.IML Pathology. 
    Check if Southern.IML Pathology is your collection location. 

  • Parts of north coast NSW (Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Macksville to the Queensland border and inland as well) are serviced by Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology. International travel testing is not available in northern NSW. All  International travellers are recommended to have their pre-departure test at their International departure city. 
    Check if Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology is your collection location. 

How it works

Ordering your test is a quick and simple three-step process. When you are ready to place your order, we recommend using our collection window calculator located below to help plan for your testing.

A doctor referral is not required | No Medicare rebate is available

  -  COVID-19 PCR swab $145 (AUD)*

Travelling to Japan? If you are travelling to Japan, an additional certificate is required, which will be provided automatically through our portal if you select a nasopharyngeal swab test and Japan as your destination country.

*Pricing is subject to change.

Order your test in three simple steps

Destination guidelines and sample collection window: It is essential that you check with your destination, transit country and airline for travel requirements and recommended timeframe in which you need to demonstrate a negative COVID-19 PCR test.

 

1. Order and pay for your COVID-19 test

 

2. Have your sample collected

 

3. Receive an email & SMS notification of your test results

Pathology testing must comply with the travel requirements for your destination.

 It is essential that you check with your destination or transit country, embassy, travel agent, airline, and/or shipping line for the required timeframe in which you need to demonstrate a negative COVID-19 test. 

Once you have completed your order, you will receive an email with your password-protected request form and tax invoice, along with password instructions. Print your prepaid pathology request form and take it to your collection centre or present it on your mobile device.

You can pay for your test online using Mastercard, Visa, or AMEX.

Important:
  • Ensure that you save your confirmation email and tax invoice which contains your 4-digit report access PIN that you need to open your pathology report.

Find out when and where you need have your COVID-19 travel test collected.  

Check when you are required to have your sample collected by using our travel testing calculator.

With more than150 available centres across Australia, we recommend using our locations to find your nearest NSW collection centre.

Important:
  • Please remember to only present within your collection date and time window that is specific for your travel plans.
  • You are required to present to the Sonic pathology collection centre that was specified during the ordering process. Please ensure you choose a collection location that is convenient for you to attend.
  • If you present within 24 hours of your departure time we cannot guarantee that your results will be available prior to your departure.

Sonic Healthcare logo helixRemember to look for this symbol when visiting the collection centre

Test results are typically available within 24 hours after visiting a COVID-19 travel testing collection centre.

In circumstances when there is an outbreak causing an increase in demand for testing, there may be a delay. Please ensure you present for collection as early as possible within your testing window.

Negative results

When your test is complete and the result is negative, you will receive an SMS 24–48 hours after your sample is collected. If you do not receive an email & SMS after 48 hours, please contact your chosen testing laboratory.

The SMS contains a secure link to view your results. You will need the 4-digit PIN provided on your tax invoice to access the result. You must save these results to your mobile device and printing them is recommended. 

Positive results

In the unlikely event that your result is positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by the Public Health Unit of the state where your test was collected. You must self-isolate immediately and wait until you are advised by the Public Health Unit of your next steps. You are not able to travel at this time.

Updated Tuesday, 31 May 2022