The three new ones are at the GPs' surgery on Barrata Street in Crace, the Lakeview Medical Practice on Cowlishaw Street in Tuggeranong and at the Aboriginal Health Service on Boolimba Crescent in Narrabundah.

They join the drive-through centre at the corner of Parkinson Street and Namatijira Drive in Weston run by Laverty Pathology.

The ACT government has two centres, one at Parkinson Creek in Weston and the other at Exhibition Park.

The two government centres can be used by anyone who fears they might have the coronavirus or COVID-19, the disease the virus causes.

The three new ones are in GPs' surgeries. They can be used either by doctor's referral or by going there if, for example, you develop breathing problems.

Capital Health Network which has helped organise the new centres says: "Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.

"To access a GP respiratory clinic, you may first consult your usual GP (through telehealth, by phone or video conference) and then make an appointment with one of the clinics, if recommended by your usual GP."

"You can also book in directly to a respiratory assessment clinic if you have respiratory symptoms."

The sixth centre run by Laverty Pathology can only be used with a doctor's referral.

The Australian government is providing $206.7 million to support the establishment of up to 100 clinics across Australia, and these new Canberra ones are part of that effort.

"These GP respiratory clinics are located across Canberra to assess and test patients with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms," Capital Health Network chief executive Megan Cahill said of the three new centres.

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"It's a very difficult time, so we're honoured to be able to provide this free service to all Canberrans," Dr Mel Deery, one of the GPs involved, said.

She said the service she would provide was wider than a simple coronavirus test. "A respiratory assessment clinic is different to a COVID-19 testing clinic in that GPs do a full assessment including taking a history, performing an examination, providing testing and treatment."

"Testing may be COVID-19 testing, but we can offer whatever testing is required. If the symptoms are diagnosed as another illness, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, middle ear infection or urinary tract infection, we will be able to provide treatment during the appointment, before returning care to the usual GP."

She added: "I want to remind Canberrans that it's essential that they continue to speak with their usual GP about their existing conditions and ongoing heath care at this time. Please don't put off seeing your GP or getting a diagnostic test out of fear of contracting COVID-19."