Share Should Australia be hit by a third wave, Melbourne researchers have laid the groundwork for rapid COVID-19 testing that can produce results in 15 minutes. These rapid antigen tests work a bit like pregnancy tests and although they are not as reliable as the standard PCR swab tests, they are useful tools for first line triage. In the event of hospitals being overwhelmed, they can act as a “rule in” test. If a person has a positive result, it triggers rapid public health action and a PCR test to confirm the diagnosis. Those with a negative result also have a confirmatory PCR test and are sent home to isolate for a day or so, while they wait for the result.