Free RATs to be handed out at train stations, shopping centres, sporting games across WA

Half a million free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will be handed out throughout the Western Australian community at pop-up distribution points in the coming weeks.

Train stations at Armadale, Cannington, Perth, Leederville, Warwick, Midland and Bassendean will be the first to have free RATs, with more pop-ups to follow next week.

They will also be handed out at the Perth Wildcats game at RAC Arena and the West Coast Eagles game at Optus Stadium this weekend.

Thousands of free RATs will be distributed next week at various shopping centres in Mirrabooka, Bassendean, Girrawheen, Belmont and Melville, as well as on campus at a range of universities and TAFEs.

Free RATs at public pop-ups will also be handed out at several locations in regional WA including Broome, Geraldton, Albany and Bunbury, starting from March 28.

“As well as being one of the most highly vaccinated places in the world, Western Australians can equip themselves even further to minimise the impacts of Omicron with more free RATs to keep themselves safe and to use when they need them," Premier Mark McGowan said.

"We want to make sure each and every Western Australian household has the opportunity to access free RATs via the WA Free RAT Program, and can conveniently pick them up for free when they are out and about in the community.”

A full list of upcoming RAT distribution points will be available at wa.gov.au or by phoning 13 COVID (13 26843).

The initiative is part of the second phase of WA’s Free RAT Program announced earlier this week, which complements the distribution of 15 free RATs for every WA household.