Home tests for coronavirus

Australians will be able to self-test for coronavirus at home from November provided a series of hurdles are cleared.

Head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, John Skerritt, is confident rapid antigen tests will be available from November 1.

Prof Skerritt said all tests granted approval for home use needed to be tested against the Delta variant.

‘‘It does seem that some of the tests — and I don’t want to name particular products, but some of them are quite significant products — are much less sensitive against Delta,’’ he told a Senate committee.

The TGA also needs all test manufacturers to ensure instructions are suitable for about a Year 7 level of reading or people for whom English is a second language.

Packaging must include a 1800 number to ring for advice on results or other issues with rapid antigen tests.

‘‘We are still confident, because we’ve been holding hands with some of the most advanced companies for a few weeks, that by November 1, there will be products available,’’ Prof Skerritt said.