COVID-19 testing for international travel
Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology (DHM) performs COVID-19 real-time RT-PCR screening for international travellers at select COVID-19 travel testing collection centres in NSW.
Many countries, airlines and ships may require pre-departure COVID-19 testing. Testing requirements change rapidly and will vary depending on where you travel. 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 test.
IMPORTANT: If you order your test through DHM, you must have your sample collected at a DHM collection location. Some areas and different states or territories may be serviced by another practice with the Sonic network. Click here to confirm the appropriate Sonic practice to order your test through.
Order your COVID-19 travel test in three simple steps
Step 1
Order and pay online for a COVID-19 travel test to receive a pathology request form.
A doctor referral is not required.
- PCR swab $145 (AUD)*
*Pricing subject to change | No Medicare rebate
Step 2
Present for sample collection.
No appointment necessary.
Please remember to only present at a collection centre within your collection date and time window that is specific for your travel plans.
Step 3
Receive an SMS with secure link to your COVID-19 travel report.
Results are typically available within 24 hours of sample collection. QR validation complies with regulatory requirements of carriers and countries.
Please note: 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.
Ordering your COVID-19 travel test online
Pathology testing must comply with the travel requirements for your destination.
It is essential that you check with your destination, transit country and airline an/or shipping line for travel requirements and recommended 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/tax invoice attached, 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.
Sample collection and testing window
Find your nearest Sonic Travel Testing COVID-19 collection centre. Collections are performed at select travel testing locations. An appointment is not required.
Click one of the links below to find a filtered list of DHM locations based on the COVID-19 travel test required:
COVID-19 travel RT-PCR COVID-19 travel Japan
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.
Remember to look for this symbol when visiting the collection centre
Secure reporting and SMS result notification
Test results are typically available within 24 hours after visiting a COVID-19 travel testing collection centre.
In circumstances where there is an increase in demand for testing, there can be a delay. Please ensure you present for collection as early as possible in 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 SMS after 48 hours, please phone the testing laboratory via our dedicated COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 026 622 (Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm, Sat 9 am–12 pm).
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 results are 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.
Further information on COVID-19 travel testing
Do I need to book an appointment for my sample collection?
After you order your test online and receive your pathology request form, you are not required to make an appointment at your selected DHM collection centre or drive-through.
If I am an international arrival in NSW, do I need to order a COVID-19 test online?
No. You can attend any of our COVID-19 collection locations without an appointment or referral. Filter by type of test required using our locations application (integrated with maps) .
What do I need to do if I am travelling from NSW to another state or territory?
We recommend checking your state destinations guidelines prior to departure. Each state has independent policies for COVID-19 border travel.