25 February 2022

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Distribution of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to disability support workers in Tasmania

The Tasmanian Government will provide a one-off allocation of five rapid antigen tests (RATs) to Tasmanian disability support workers. The Tasmanian Government has requested that National Disability Services (NDS) Tasmania collect data from the sector to allow the distribution of RAT tests.

Key points

• The Tasmanian Government is committed to supporting people with disability, their families and carers, and those who work in the Tasmanian disability sector through the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Tasmanian Government will provide a one-off allocation of five rapid antigen tests (RATs) to Tasmanian disability support workers. Providers must complete a short form to access RATs as part of this provisioning. This opportunity will close on Tuesday 1 March 2022.

Distribution of RATs to disability support workers in Tasmania

In acknowledgement of current supply issues, the Tasmanian Government will provide a one-off allocation of five rapid antigen tests (RATs) to Tasmanian disability support workers. This supply will enable workers who are symptomatic or have been identified as close contacts, to self-test for COVID-19 before providing support to people with disability.

This one-off provision will complement, not replicate, the Australian Government’s phased distribution of RATs to residents of supported independent living (SIL) services and workers in those services.

This opportunity is available for both providers and NDIS participants who self or plan manage their NDIS plan.

The Tasmanian Government has partnered with National Disability Services (NDS) Tasmania to ensure the information from those providers who wish to engage with this process is collected – and the RATs distributed – as quickly as possible.

To access RATs as part of this provisioning, please follow the link to this short form, and provide the requested information. This opportunity will close COB Tuesday 1 March 2022.

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact NDS Tasmania; Janine Lenigas on 0460 622 427 or Kiahn Ryan on 0448 005 154.