Under changes to the national plan to deal with COVID-19, a referral from a medical or nurse practitioner will be needed for patients to receive a free PCR test at locations not run by a state or territory government.
State- or territory-operated PCR clinics will be able to accept patients without referrals, with the government extending 50-50 funding arrangements for jurisdictions choosing to keep the clinics running.
The changes are part of a $2.8 billion reworking of the country's pandemic response plan, which aims to treat COVID like any other respiratory virus.
While the prime minister said there was less demand for PCR tests than at previous heights of the pandemic, those more at risk would still be able to be tested for free.
"PCR tests will still be very much available to people who are immunocompromised and to people who are vulnerable," he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
"What is occurring is that, upon the advice of the health professionals, (we are) gradually moving towards treating this like other respiratory diseases."
Access to antivirals will be provided following a positive PCR or rapid antigen test.
Older Australians, Indigenous people and those with a disability will be prioritised for PCR testing.
Australian Medical Association president Steve Robson said it was important to ensure testing remained accessible for vulnerable people, as well as those financially disadvantaged or distant from a doctor.
"So it needs to be watched carefully as it is rolled out next year," he told ABC TV on Tuesday.
Prof Robson said the changes were going to come in while a COVID-19 wave was occurring.
"I think at some stage next year, perhaps when we're not in a wave, it might be a little easier - when vaccination levels are higher and when we know that we've got good access to the antiviral medications that vulnerable people need," he said.
Mr Albanese said there would be increased support for vulnerable communities.
"We're making sure we target those vulnerable areas and we'll continue to do so," he said.
The government will also be halving the number of subsidised psychology appointments available to people from next year.
Prof Robson said the mental health changes should also be carefully monitored to ensure the vulnerable were not affected.
Disability advocate Dr Beth O'Brien said it was important to provide broad access to tests.
"While I recognise that the announcement has said that people with disability and other high-risk groups will be able to continue to get PCRs, it's also about the people around us," she said.
"So when we go to work, we want to know that the people around us have been able to access a test to ensure that they're not sick."
Young Liberal Movement federal president Clark Cooley said young Australians would be impacted.
"Young Australians will be especially affected by these cuts as we face a national youth mental health crisis," he said.
Meanwhile, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has tested positive to the virus for the second time this year.
Mr Hazzard tested positive on Tuesday morning and would be working from home, a statement from NSW Health said.
"The minister encourages anyone who is feeling unwell or shows symptoms, however mild, to test, stay at home and avoid high-risk settings such as hospitals and aged-care facilities for at least seven days," the statement said.
20°C