COVID-19 PCR travel testing in Victoria
Melbourne Pathology performs performs COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) and IgM antibody screening (blood test) for all travellers at select COVID-19 travel testing collection centres in Victoria. We also perform RAT travel testing at select locations.
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 PCR test.
Ordering your COVID-19 travel test is a quick and simple three-step process.
Step 1 Order and pay for your COVID-19 test
- COVID-19 PCR swab $145 (AUD)*
- COVID-19 RAT travel test $64 (AUD)* Result within 1 hour of test
Step 2 Have your sample collected
Step 3 Receive an SMS with your International COVID-19 travel report
*Pricing is subject to change. A doctor referral is not required | No Medicare rebate is available
If you present within 24 hours of your departure time for a PCR COVID travel test we cannot guarantee that your results will be available prior to your departure.
Please note: Refunds cannot be issued after the sample has been collected.
1. Order and pay for your COVID-19 test
2. Have your sample collected
3. Receive SMS notification of your test results
1. Order and pay for your COVID-19 test online
Follow the easy step-through process and purchase your pathology request.
Once you have completed your order you will receive an email with your password-protected request form and tax invoice, along with password instructions.
Print your prepaid pathology request form and take it to one of the listed COVID travel testing collection centre, or you can present it on your mobile device.
You can pay for your test online using Mastercard, Visa, or AMEX.
Important
- If presenting for testing using your mobile device, ensure you show your passport to the Melbourne Pathology collector so this information can be entered into your file.
- Ensure that you save the tax invoice as it contains your four-digit report access PIN that you will need to open your pathology report.
2. Find out where we can collect your sample
IMPORTANT: Please remember to only present within your collection date and time window that is specific for your travel plans. No appointment necessary.
If you are travelling and being tested within 24 hours of departure, please contact our Results Department on 03 9287 7777 if you haven’t received your report (but have received your SMS result).
Remember to look for this symbol when visiting the collection centre
Collection centres for travellers for COVID testing
PCR travel and RAT travel testing collection centres:
Gladstone Park - Gladstone Park Shopping Centre, Gladstone Park Drive. Open 7 days M-F 7:30am - 6pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am - 3:30pm
Hoppers Crossing - 257 Heaths Rd. Open 7 days M-F 7:30am - 6pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am - 3:30pm
Eltham - 4/266 Bolton St. Open 7 days M-F 7:30am - 6pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am - 3:30pm
Seaford- 266-270 Seaford Rd. Open 7 days M-F 7:30am - 6pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am - 3:30pm
Glen Waverley- 258 Springvale Rd. Open 7 days M-F 7:30am - 6pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am - 3:30pm
Balaclava - 287B Carlisle St. Open 7 days M-F 8am - 5pm, Sat 7:30am - 12:30pm, Sun 8:30am - 12:30pm
North Melbourne - 70 Alfred St. Open M-F 1pm - 4:30pm (Lots of parking)
Ballarat - 63 Victoria St, M-F 8:30am - 5pm
Bendigo - L1, 1 Chum St, M-F 8am - 5:30pm, Sat 9am - 12noon
Geelong (Waurn Ponds) - Epworth Geelong, 1 Epworth Pl, M-F 8:30am - 5pm, Sat-Sun 8am - 1pm
Gisborne - Shop 10, Gisborne Village Market, 34A Hamilton St, M-F 9am - 5pm
St Albans - 22 Victoria St, M-F 8am - 4pm, Sat 8am - 11am
(Ascot Vale, North Melbourne, Balaclava and Cranbourne sites recommended for people travelling to the USA)
PCR travel testing only collection centres:
(No RAT testing performed at these sites)
No onsite COVID testing is performed at the sites listed below for patients with symptoms, or people who have attended an exposure site.
Beaumaris - 471 Balcombe Rd, M-F 8am - 5pm, Sat 7:30am - 11:30am
Bentleigh - 153 Jasper Rd, M-F 7:30am - 5pm, Sat 7:30am - 12noon
Deepdene - 59 Whitehorse Rd, M-F 7:30am - 5:30pm, Sat 7:30am - 12noon
Epping - Suite 8/230 Cooper St, M-F 9am - 3:30pm, Sat 8:30am - 11am
Moe - 46 - 48 Albert St, M-F 8am - 5pm, Sat 8:30am - 11:30am
Mornington - 262 Main St, M-F 8:30am - 5pm, Sat 8:30am - 12noon
Pakenham - Unit 2, 63 Main St, M-F 8am-4:30pm, Sat 8am-12noon
Ringwood - 38 Bond St, M-F 8am - 4pm, Sat 8am - 12noon
Rye - 2 Ozone St, M-F 9:30am - 5pm (closed 1-2pm)
Shepparton - 92-94 Maude St, M-F 8am - 4:30pm
Somerville - 67 Eramosa Road West, M-F 8:30am - 5pm, Sat 7:30am – 3:30pm, Sun 9am - 1pm
Please note: These sites are CLOSED on public holidays. See our dedicated COVID collection sites for sites that are open.
3. Receive SMS notification of your test results
Test results are typically available within 24 hours after visiting a COVID-19 travel testing collection centre.
In circumstances when there is an outbreak causing an increase in demand for testing, there may be a delay. Please ensure you present for collection as early as possible within 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 contact Melbourne Pathology on (03) 9287 7700 and select option 4, Mon-Fri 8 am-6 pm, Sat-Sun 8 am-4 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 result is 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.
Please be aware that SMS is not considered completely secure and is subject to abuse, typographical error, misdirection or non-delivery. We will make every effort to SMS the result, but can take no responsibility should you fail to receive the SMS or your privacy is breached.
Important things to know about travel from Victoria
Here are some frequently asked questions for travellers departing Victoria. For more FAQs click on the link above.
Do I need a COVID-19 test before arriving in Victoria?
Those travelling/returning to Victoria from overseas should visit the Department of Health website for the latest advice*.
*These requirements are subject to rapid change; please stay up to date with the travel policies of your destination
Visit our return travel page for more information.
Am I required to quarantine when I arrive in Victoria?
Please refer to the VIC.Gov website for the most up to date quarantine advice.*
*These requirements are subject to rapid change; please stay up to date with travel policies of your destination.
Departing from a different state or territory?
If you order your test through Melbourne Pathology, you must have your sample(s) collected at one of our collection centres in Victoria.
If you are departing from a different state or territory, you can select the appropriate Sonic practice to order your test here.
When am i required to get my test done?
It is essential you check your destination, transit country and airline for travel requirements and recommended timeframe in which you need to demonstrate a negative COVID-19 PCR test.
You can use the Collection Window Calculator to determine the timeframe for testing based on this information.
Where can i get my sample collected?
Find your nearest COVD-19 travel testing collection centre.
Check when you are required to have your sample collected by using our travel testing calculator.
IMPORTANT: Please remember to only present within your collection date and time window that is specific for your travel plans. No appointment necessary.
If you are travelling and being tested within 24 hours of departure, please contact our Results Department on 03 9287 7777 if you haven’t received your report (but have received your SMS result).
Remember to look for this symbol when visiting the collection centre
Collection centres for travellers for COVID testing
PCR travel and RAT travel testing collection centres:
Balaclava - 287B Carlisle St. Open 7 days M-F 8am - 5pm, Sat 7:30am - 12:30pm, Sun 8:30am - 12:30pm
North Melbourne - 70 Alfred St. Open M-F 1pm - 4:30pm (Lots of parking)
Ballarat - 63 Victoria St, M-F 8:30am - 5pm
Bendigo - L1, 1 Chum St, M-F 8am - 5:30pm, Sat 9am - 12noon
Geelong (Waurn Ponds) - Epworth Geelong, 1 Epworth Pl, M-F 8:30am - 5pm, Sat-Sun 8am - 1pm
Gisborne - Shop 10, Gisborne Village Market, 34A Hamilton St, M-F 9am - 5pm
St Albans - 22 Victoria St, M-F 8am - 4pm, Sat 8am - 11am
(Ascot Vale, North Melbourne, Balaclava and Cranbourne sites recommended for people travelling to the USA)
PCR travel testing only collection centres:
(No RAT testing performed at these sites)
No onsite COVID testing is performed at the sites listed below for patients with symptoms, or people who have attended an exposure site.
Beaumaris - 471 Balcombe Rd, M-F 8am - 5pm, Sat 7:30am - 11:30am
Bentleigh - 153 Jasper Rd, M-F 7:30am - 5pm, Sat 7:30am - 12noon
Deepdene - 59 Whitehorse Rd, M-F 7:30am - 5:30pm, Sat 7:30am - 12noon
Epping - Suite 8/230 Cooper St, M-F 9am - 3:30pm, Sat 8:30am - 11am
Moe - 46 - 48 Albert St, M-F 8am - 5pm, Sat 8:30am - 11:30am
Mornington - 262 Main St, M-F 8:30am - 5pm, Sat 8:30am - 12noon
Pakenham - Unit 2, 63 Main St, M-F 8am-4:30pm, Sat 8am-12noon
Ringwood - 38 Bond St, M-F 8am - 4pm, Sat 8am - 12noon
Rye - 2 Ozone St, M-F 9:30am - 5pm (closed 1-2pm)
Shepparton - 92-94 Maude St, M-F 8am - 4:30pm
Somerville - 67 Eramosa Road West, M-F 8:30am - 5pm, Sat 7:30am – 3:30pm, Sun 9am - 1pm
Please note: These sites are CLOSED on public holidays. See our dedicated COVID collection sites for sites that are open.
Will I receive my result in 24 hours?
If you present within 24 hours of your departure, we cannot guarantee your result will be available prior to your departure (see collection window calculator). We will always try our utmost to ensure we expedite all travel samples that require a 24 hour result.
If you are travelling and being tested within 24 hours of departure, please contact our Results Department on 03 9287 7777 if you haven’t received your report (but have received your SMS result).
COVID-19 Hotline for Victoria
Please check our FAQs for more information on COVID-19 travel testing. If you require further assistance please call our COVID-19 Hotline on (03) 9287 7700 and select option 4, Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm, Sat - Sun 8am - 4pm.
Outside these hours, please call our Results Department on 03 9287 7777 for assistance with any COVID travel-related queries.