Tuberculosis (TB) screening

Tuberculosis (TB) screening

Students are required to undergo a Tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to their first clinical placement.

In the ACT, you are required to have screening with either TB Quantiferon (IGRA) blood test or Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). In addition to the TB test you will also need to complete a risk assessment: ACT Health form 1. This is in addition to, and not to be confused with, the NSW Health TB Assessment Tool.

TB Quantiferon Blood Test

The TB Quantiferon blood test is becoming the preferred primary screening test for TB. TB Quantiferon blood test must be assessed by an accredited laboratory. The test can be taken/requested by UC Medical and Counselling Centre at Bruce Campus or another medical provider. Some medical providers cannot do the collection and will need to refer students directly to the pathology service. Check at the time of booking your appointment. Please note, the results may take 10 days to be provided to you.

Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)

The TST must have been or will need to be undertaken by an accredited Australian Chest Clinic. In the ACT, this is the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine (DRSM) at The Canberra Hospital (contact Community Health Intake to make a booking on (02) 5124 9977). Their opening hours for testing are: 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.

For other states, please view the list of accredited Australian Chest Clinics (PDF, 255KB). If you reside in NSW region (e.g. Queanbeyan, Yass, Cooma, Goulburn, etc), your TB review will be done through an accredited Chest Clinic in NSW, not the Canberra Hospital.

Please note: A Tuberculin Skin Test cannot be performed within 4 weeks of Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR), Varicella or COVID-19 vaccination. Please attend TB screening prior to MMR, Varicella and COVID-19 vaccination where possible OR attend TB screening 4 weeks after your second MMR/Varicella/COVID-19 vaccination.

Record of Screening

After your TB screening test you must complete the ACT Health form 1 and upload to InPlace with your blood test laboratory report OR skin test results.

Prior to screening:

• If you answered 'Yes' to any items in Parts 1 of the ACT Health form 1, please contact the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine (DRSM) for assessment.
• If you have a positive or equivocal TB Quantiferon result you are required to be reviewed and cleared by staff at the DRSM.

Costs

If you are reviewed at the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine (DRSM), you will attract a fee that cannot be claimed against Medicare or a Health fund.

The TB Quantiferon test is not covered by Medicare or Health Care cards unless you are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised and will attract a fee for the test. Pathology Collection Centres may also charge individual collection fees.