Australia is facing a domestic shortage of rapid antigen test kits due to a surge in cases, after asymptomatic close contacts were told to bypass government-funded testing centres and test themselves. This has led to a surge in the workload of these testing centers, and test results have been continuously delayed.

In addition, the soaring price of test kits has also made Australians angry. There are reports that online retailers are even selling test kits for as much as A$500 ($361), while pharmacies cost A$70 per test, compared with around A$10 a few weeks ago. .

Australia has reported nearly 1.3 million cases in the past two weeks, and hospitals and testing clinics are overwhelmed by hoarding at-home testing kits.