Looking for a COVID-19 Testing Clinic around the North Shore? If you’re required to get a PCR test, make sure you meet the criteria before heading off to one of these testing places close to home.
Testing is recommended if you have a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath and meet the current testing criteria. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild and even if you are fully vaccinated, use a rapid antigen test immediately and self-isolate. Most people don’t need a PCR test if they get a positive rapid antigen test result. More information can be found on Getting tested for COVID-19.
If you get a positive RAT result, you should follow this advice.
If you receive a positive PCR result, you should follow this advice.
Of course, with the winter season here, it can be hard to know if it’s Covid, or another bug going around. Multi-virus testing — or multiplex tests — is now thing. NSW Health Pathology sites use Respiratory Triplex PCR tests, which can test for COVID-19, influenza and, in some cases, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – all at once.
Getting tested for Covid-19 is easy. There are numerous COVID-19 Clinics as well as free COVID-19 GP Respiratory Clinics up and running around Sydney’s North Shore. As Royal North Shore Hospital states on their Facebook page:
Our COVID-19 testing clinic has reopened between the hours of 8am and 6pm. People presenting to the clinic will be assessed by our friendly nursing staff and may be provided with either a PCR test or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) as appropriate. If you are given a RAT, you should complete it at home.
North Shore Covid-19 Testing Clinics: Drive Through
Don’t want to leave the comfort of your warm car? Drive Through clinics are a quick and easy way to get tested for Covid-19. Here’s the latest drive-through clinics for Covid-19 testing around Sydney’s North Shore:
| Covid-19 Clinic | Street | Suburb |
| Carlingford Drive-through Clinic | 71 Murray Farm Road | Carlingford |
| Castle Hill Clinical Labs Pathology | Showground Road | Castle Hill |
| Warringah Aquatic Centre Histopath | 1 Aquatic Drive | Frenchs Forest |
| 4Cyte Pathology | 4 Russell Avenue | Frenchs Forest |
| Frenchs Forest Clinical Labs Pathology | 105 Frenchs Forest Road (West) | Frenchs Forest |
| Hornsby Clinical Labs Pathology | 7 Jersey Street | Hornsby |
| Killara Drive Through Clinic | 28 Stanhope Road | Killara |
| Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology | 95 Epping Road | Macquarie Park |
| Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology | 393 Military Road | Mosman |
| 4Cyte Pathology | 7 Julius Avenue | North Ryde |
| North Ryde Laverty Pathology | 60 Waterloo Road | North Ryde |
| Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology | St Ives Showground, 450 Mona Vale Road | St Ives |
| Histopath Pathology | 55 Coonara Avenue | West Pennant Hills |
| Laverty Willoughby | 2 Small Street | Willoughby |
Covid testing at Royal North Shore Hospital
The clinics listed below also test for Covid-19, but you will need to park your car nearby before entering the clinic. Some require booking online or via text beforehand.
| Covid-19 Clinic | Street | Suburb | How to book |
| Chatswood 4Cyte Pathology Walk-in Clinic | Shop 1 and 2, 75 Archer Street | Chatswood | Turn up |
| Manly Clinical Labs Pathology | 19-21 Steyne | Manly | Turn up |
| Dee Why Respiratory Clinic | G/5 Mooramba Road | Dee Why | Book online |
| Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital | Building 8, Derby Road, Gate 5 | Hornsby | Turn up |
| Ryde Respiratory Clinic | 39 Delhi Road | North Ryde | Book online |
| Roseville Respiratory Clinic | 132A Pacific Highway | Roseville | Book online |
| Royal North Shore Hospital | Reserve Road | St Leonards | Turn up |
| Killara Histopath Pathology | 28 Stanhope Road | Killara | Turn up |
Note: Clinics and opening hours are changing frequently. Information correct February 2023. Click here for the latest Covid-19 test clinic information
The COVID-19 Test: What happens
The Covid-19 test takes less than 30 seconds. The doctor will do one throat swab and two deep nasal swabs. Although slightly uncomfortable, it’s quick and painless.
- ‘It didn’t hurt just made my eyes water’ – Michelle
- ‘We were tested at a drive-thru clinic 2 days ago. Swabbed back of my throat and up one nostril only. Exactly the same for my 8 year old. Only about 3 secs each swab for me and maybe 2 secs for him. One nostril only.’ – Charlotte
- ‘I found it uncomfortable not painful… and it literally lasts less than a min’ – Danielle
- ‘My four year old had it and it wasn’t anything like I’ve heard about like adults have had. He didn’t even jump. Although he did say after ‘that doctor shouldn’t have put a stick in my nose’ – Kathleen
Getting your COVID-19 results
Roseville Respiratory Clinic – Covid-19 Testing
Results can take up to 72 hours (3 days) to come through.
Getting tested at the hospital
If you are tested at a NSW Health public hospital fever clinic, COVID-19 clinic or emergency departments, your results can be sent directly to you as a text message (SMS). Your local hospital health team will provide you with details on how to register. Results will typically be available 24 to 72 hours after testing. If you test positive, you will be called by a healthcare professional.
Getting tested at at GP or Respiratory Clinic
If your test is arranged through a GP practice, including COVID-19 GP respiratory clinics run by the Australian Government, please check with them how you will be informed of your result.
