The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Australians about their views on how Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) should be made available to the public, and why some parts of Australia are experiencing problems like pressure on the public health system, supply chain issues and staffing shortages.

The results show that:

• Over seven in ten (72%) Australians believe the government should provide RATs to everyone free of charge.
  • 16% of Australians believe retailers should continue to sell RATs to individuals.
• Regarding pressure on the public health system, supply chain issues and staffing shortages, over half (53%) of Australians believe that governments failed to plan adequately over the past two years and the problems could have been avoided.
  • 33% of Australians believe that governments have planned the best they could over the past 2 years and the problems are unavoidable.