Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are now available for free in Mildura following the delivery of 5,000 kits late last week.
The Victorian government said the tests arrived in town on Thursday.
Residents have been clambering to access the home testing kits from retailers and pharmacies as COVID cases in Mildura surged past 900 this week.
Major pharmaceutical chains have warned the nationwide shortage of the tests in retail outlets is unlikely to significantly improve for several weeks.
Anyone who tests positive on a home rapid antigen test or a laboratory PCR test in Victoria must immediately isolate for seven days and notify their contacts.
Where to get a free RAT in Mildura
The testing kits will be distributed by private pathology provider Barratt and Smith.
The Langtree Avenue service has been the main PCR laboratory testing clinic for COVID-19 in Mildura.
To access a free rapid test, people will need to line up as they would for a lab test, use a QR code to check in, and discuss their circumstances with a staff member.
Sunraysia Community Health Services executive manager of clinical services Melissa Wade said people with COVID symptoms would likely be offered a PCR test on the spot.
She said close contacts would be able to take rapid antigen tests home.
Residents urged to use tests sparingly
Ms Wade said people should try to use the rapid antigen tests "sparingly".
She said health services were still catching up to surging demand and that the "lag period" in meeting that demand would continue until the end of January.
"If people can use them sparingly over this next few weeks to make sure that we're not wasting them in the community [that would help]," she said.
"If you do have some at home that you've managed to source on your own, that would be really great to leave some of the free ones available for the people who can't afford it."
Ms Wade said not everyone who wanted a rapid antigen test would be given one — certain criteria, such as being symptomatic or a household contact, must be met.
RATS in workplaces
Organisations hoping to get rapid antigen tests for staff can contact Barratt and Smith over the phone.
Ms Wade said some organisations had already acquired tests for workers.
"Last week and the week before we saw a few outbreaks in farming [and] agriculture workplaces, and those organisations have been accessing [tests] from Barratt and Smith," she said.
Ms Wade said there would be an "ongoing supply" of the tests to Barratt and Smith, but that health services would implement "other methods" of providing access if demand became overwhelming.
