It’s time to book those flights! International travel is back!

Pre-flight COVID-19 Screening service is now available in-pharmacy. 

Planning for overseas travel now requires some more time and consideration but our Pharmacists are here to support your family’s health as you plan for these exciting times. Most destinations and airlines now require evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken prior to departure. 

Our Pharmacists offer an efficient Pre-flight COVID-19 Screening service at over 40 locations to supervise and interpret a self-administered rapid antigen test for COVID-19. We offer this service for asymptomatic travellers required to demonstrate a negative COVID-19 test prior to departing on a flight. This service is available for your whole family including children from 2 years of age. 
 

What do I need to consider before I book my pre-flight screening?

• So now that those tickets are booked, check with your airline as well as your country of destination for what their testing requirements are.
• Make sure to check which test types (e.g. RAT) are accepted, if a Pharmacist supervised test is suitable, and the timeframe in which the test needs to be completed before your flight.
• If you are travelling with children, exemptions may apply depending on the age of the children.
• Specific pre-flight testing requirements and exemptions vary depending on the destination. 
   

I’m ready to book, what’s next?

1. It is best to plan your tests well ahead of time. You can book in with your local Pharmacy 777 at least 24 hours in advance of your preferred appointment time. We’ll send you a confirmation email which contains instructions on how to reschedule or cancel an appointment. 

2. Make sure to tell us the details of everyone who needs to be tested. Not all tests are suitable for younger children, so we’ll need to know the age of children in advance of your appointment to ensure we are ready to test your whole family.

3. There is no need to source your own testing kit - our pharmacies provide TGA approved rapid antigen self-testing kits, and this is included as part of our service to you. 

The cost of this service is $40 per person, plus the purchase of a rapid antigen test from the pharmacy. To book your appointment click below:

WA HBF Member? 

Our Pre-flight COVID-19 Screening service will cost $34, excluding the cost of the RAT, for eligible WA HBF Members ($40 for non-HBF members). 

What to consider on testing day?

Please do not visit the pharmacy if you have symptoms of COVID-19. We only offer this service to people who are symptom free. We do this to keep our community and our team safe. If you are isolating at home with symptoms, please know that we can support you during this time. 

When visiting the pharmacy, it is important to follow all current health regulations such as physical distancing and wearing masks. We ask you to keep your mask on for the duration of your time in the pharmacy, only removing it when it is time to collect your sample for testing. 

Our pharmacies have strict infection control standards implemented to keep you safe. The consultation space is cleaned before and after each patient service. 

On testing day, visit the pharmacy at your appointment time. Your Pharmacist will take you into the privacy of a consultation room and run you through the testing process. A Pharmacist will then supervise the sample collection and performance of the test which with the appointment taking approximately 5 to 10 minutes. 
 

Getting my test results

Whilst waiting for the test result, you are free to carry on with your day. Our Pharmacist will interpret the test at the correct time and email you an electronic results statement shortly after. We recommend you also take a printed statement with you on your travels which we can provide once the test is interpreted, approximately 15 minutes after your appointment.

If your test is negative, you are one step closer to your holiday! As COVID-19 is circulating in our communities, there is a chance that your test will return a positive result. If this happens, our Pharmacist will call you and provide next steps to support your self-care at home. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we travel but your Pharmacist is here to support you in having a safe and healthy overseas holiday. 
 

Frequently asked questions.

• What type of pre-flight COVID-19 test do I need to have?

  The type of test depends on the requirements of your airline in addition to the entry requirements of your country of destination. You should also consider the requirements of any countries you may transit through. Usually, the airline requires proof you don’t have COVID-19 at check-in and likely accept either a negative PCR or supervised rapid antigen test (RAT). Please ensure you have checked the requirements with your airline, countries you may transit through, and country of destination prior to booking in for this service. 

• What’s the difference between a PCR and a RAT?

  PCR and RAT are different testing types used in Australia to detect COVID-19 infections. 

  PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction and is a type of test that is performed in a lab that looks for genetic material from the virus. 

  RAT stands for Rapid Antigen Test and detects the presence of specific proteins of the virus. 

  PCR tests are generally better at detecting the presence of the COVID-19 virus than rapid antigen tests. The Pre-flight Screening service uses the rapid antigen test type.  

   

• Can I bring my own rapid antigen test?

  No. Our Pharmacists use rapid antigen tests that are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for self-testing.

   
• What happens if my flight gets rescheduled?

  If you’ve already had your Pre-flight COVID-19 test, find out from your airline what their requirements are for retesting in this situation.

  If you need to reschedule your appointment, follow the instructions in your booking confirmation email . If your appointment is within 48 hours, you can call the pharmacy to reschedule. 

   
• Can I bring my children to get tested?

  Yes, we supervise rapid antigen self-tests for children aged from 2 years. Tests for children aged 2 to 12 years will need to be performed by a parent or legal guardian. Children over 12 can generally perform their own test with instructions from the parent or legal guardian. It’s important that a parent or legal guardian attend the appointment for children of all ages to give their consent.

  
  
• What is the turnaround time for results?

  In most cases we’ll be able to provide your electronic results statement within 30 minutes of your appointment time. If you are waiting in-pharmacy for your printed results, this will take approximately 15 minutes. 

   
• Do I need to bring ID?

  Yes, please bring ID to your appointment. Our Pharmacist will need to ensure the person being supervised is issued a statement in their correct name. If you’re travelling overseas, it’s absolutely vital that the name we write on your statement matches the name on your passport – so we need to double-check these details.

  
  
• I’ve already had the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need to have a pre-flight COVID-19 test?

  Even though you’re up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, most countries and airlines still require evidence of a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure. These requirements work to keep international travel as safe as possible.
  Don’t forget to take your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate with you on your trip.

  
  
• I’ve already had COVID-19, do I still need to have a pre-flight COVID-19 test?

  This will depend on your airline and country of destination. Some countries don’t require a pre-departure test if you’ve tested positive to COVID-19 in the last 30 days, but they often require other documentation, so make sure to check with your airline and country of destination the rules that will apply to you. 

  
   

• What do I do if I test positive for COVID-19 whilst overseas?

  Unfortunately, if you catch COVID-19 whilst away it could disrupt your travel plans. If you do get sick, you should immediately isolate and find out from the local health authority where you are located for further health advice. The Smart Traveller website has lots of helpful travel advice.