Test results

Published 18 February 2022 | Updated 3 March 2022

Find out about what needs to happen when an employee returns a positive rapid antigen or PCR test.

In this section:

• COVID-19 testing and the workplace
• Rapid antigen testing
• PCR testing
• COVID-19 testing and workplace protections

Employers should ensure that they have appropriate processes in place for when an employee returns a positive rapid antigen or PCR test. State and territory health departments can provide further information and assistance:

• Australian Capital Territory 
• New South Wales 
• Northern Territory 
• Queensland 
• South Australia 
• Tasmania 
• Victoria 
• Western Australia . 

An employee who has been lawfully required to take a COVID-19 test can be asked to show their employer evidence of the test result.

For employers covered by the Privacy Act 1988, they can only collect (record or keep a copy of) the rapid antigen test results if:

• the employee gives informed consent (involving no threat of disciplinary action or dismissal) and the collection is reasonably necessary for the business’s functions or activities, or
• collection is authorised by law (for example, a public health order requires the information to be collected or where collection is necessary for the employer to meet their WHS obligations).

For more information, visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website:

• COVID-19 advice and guidance 
• Australian Privacy Principles guidelines .

General information about workplace privacy is available at Best practice guide – Workplace privacy.