Which Covid rapid antigen tests sold in Australia can you trust and what do they cost?

As Covid case numbers continue to surge across the country and testing wait times blow out, people are increasingly using rapid antigen tests.

They are a convenient alternative to queueing for traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and an extra precaution before attending gatherings in the lead-up to Christmas.

But with reports of shortages and varying levels of dependability, deciding what RAT kit to buy and when to use it can be difficult.

So, which tests can you trust, and how much are they?

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved 15 different rapid antigen testing kits, and categorised them according to their clinical sensitivity.

Although the varying degrees of clinical sensitivity are listed by the TGA, the University of Queensland infectious disease physician, associate professor Paul Griffin said any test approved by the TGA was worth using.

Rapid antigen testing kits cost roughly $10-20 per single test.