The public services union is pushing to access RATs for workers. 

Federal agencies are speaking with unions about whether rapid antigen tests (RATs) can be provided to employees for workplace purposes, and whether a positive result will be accepted as proof for public servants to take leave if necessary.

Tests are becoming extremely rare to come by, but are still desired as a way to avoid attending a government PCR testing site. 

Public tenders for nearly $62 million worth of tests to the Health Department have been launched in recent weeks, listed as having “extreme urgency”.

The Defence Department says the self-test kits are “being prioritised” among staff “according to operational and clinical need to enable Australian Defence Force capability”. 

The Health Department says it “is not requiring any staff to undertake testing before attending the workplace and is not providing rapid antigen tests to staff”. 

“Any Health staff member who is unwell is advised not to attend their workplace,” a spokesperson said. 

“Health has encouraged and supports staff to work remotely if possible.” 

Other major departments including Services Australia, the Australian Taxation Office and the National Disability Insurance Agency did not appear to have clear policies for issuing the tests or for acting on their resultings. 

CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly says the union wants public servants to maintain the right to work from home, but it is also advocating for RATs to be provided when required for work purposes. 

“For frontline employees who need to attend the workplace, rapid antigen tests (RATs) will form a key part of COVID-19 risk management,” Ms Donnelly wrote in a recent letter to public service minister Ben Morton. 

“The CPSU supports the view that RATs should be free and accessible for all.”

UNSW Canberra Public Service Research Group’s Sue Williamson says clear policies should be established.

“It seems to have caught a lot of people by surprise,” A/Prof Williamson has told reporters.

“We know overseas there are lots of free tests, and vending machines with tests. And that’s something that really does need to be formalised rather than an ad-hoc provision. 

“Public service workplaces provide employees with flu shots once a year, rapid antigen tests should become the same sort of thing really because it is about workplace health and safety.”