From 20 October 2023, COVID-19 datasets will no longer be updated. Detailed information is available in the fortnightly NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/reports.aspx.
Latest national COVID-19 spread, vaccination and treatment metrics are available on the Australian Government Health website: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/reporting?language=und

As of 10 February 2023, NSW Health will report only positive SARS-CoV-2 test results. Recent changes to the COVID-19 public health orders for COVID-19 means it is no longer necessary for laboratories to provide data on negative PCR test results, in line with other diseases. Positive COVID-19 results, through both PCR tests and notified rapid antigen test results, will continue to be reported. NSW Health uses a wide range of surveillance systems, including hospital data, sewage surveillance, and genomic sequencing, to closely monitor COVID-19 and inform its public health response.

COVID-19 tests by date and postcode, local health district, and local government area. The dataset is updated weekly on Fridays.

The data is for COVID-19 tests and is based on the Local Health District (LHD) and Local Government Area (LGA) of residence provided by the individual at time of testing. A surge in total number of people tested on a particular day may occur as the test results are updated in batches and new laboratories gain testing capacity.

The underlying dataset was assessed to measure the risk of identifying an individual and the level of sensitivity of the information gained if it was known that an individual was in the dataset. The dataset was then treated to mitigate these risks, including suppressing and aggregating data.

On 16 September 2021, NSW Health implemented a change in the way testing data is reported.

1. We will discontinue publication of unit record test data file as the data will only be provided as an aggregated file
2. The aggregated data file will only include negative tests. Positive tests (i.e. cases) will not be included.

Please note the COVID-19 tests dataset does not include registered positive rapid antigen test (RAT) information.