There's hope that a new COVID-19 test will fight the pandemic in poorer countries.

The World Health Organization announced on Monday it would embark on a project to provide 120 million COVID-19 rapid tests to low- and middle-income countries.

The project will be delivered by a multi-organisation partnership between the WHO, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, the Global Fund, and Unitaid.

These tests were developed by Abbott and SD Biosensor, and they do not require laboratories. This means the test is appropriate for poorer countries that lack resources. Results appear after 15 to 30 minutes and each test costs $US5.

According to epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman, while the rapid tests have benefits for developing countries the tests are not very accurate, with a high rate of false negatives.

Yet Professor Esterman says despite the drawback, these tests are a game changer.

"In a place like Africa where they have almost no tests at all, it's going to be a godsend," he says.

"Even though it's not very accurate, it's still accurate enough to be able to rapidly detect people and stop the epidemic."

Professor Esterman says that due to its inaccuracy, the rapid test isn't immediately helpful for Australia.

Australia uses the PCR test, which is described as the gold standard in COVID-19 tests. While it may be slower, taking at least 48 hours to get a result, PCR tests are considered to be the most reliable COVID-19 screening tool. The main drawback of PCR tests in poorer countries is they rely on specialised laboratory equipment and trained scientists and technicians. These resources and this specialised workforce may not be available in poorer countries. This is not an issue for a wealthy and well-resourced country like Australia.

However, Professor Esterman said the rapid test, used in conjunction with more accurate testing, could be useful in Australia in the future.

He said it could help screen arrivals to Australia at airports, or could be used for random COVID-19 testing.

"I don't think its lack of accuracy is crucial when you are simply doing rapid tests with people arriving," he says.

"You probably need to follow those up with other tests as well."

Professor Esterman says when virus levels become very low in Australia random tests can help keep the virus away.

"I can see a use for [rapid tests] in undertaking random tests throughout Australia, so anyone who wants to be tested can be tested, or you can target areas that were previously hot spots," he says.

"We still have to keep high rates of testing to make sure [COVID-19] does not come back again."

If you live in NSW, the ACT or the Northern Territory, your Kiwi friends will soon be able to visit you.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced a "one-sided" Trans-Tasman travel bubble on Friday. This allows New Zealanders to travel from areas that are not deemed hotspots into NSW, the ACT and the NT from 12.01am on Friday, October 16.

Mr McCormack said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner were delighted by the new travel deal.

"I have just gotten off the phone with Chief Minister Gunner, who said the fish are biting and the beers are cold and he wants to see as many of his New Zealand cousins and friends as possible," Mr McCormack said.

Any state or territory that has travel restrictions that follow the Commonwealth's hotspot definition will be able to participate in the one-sided border bubble.

To recap: the Commonwealth's definition of a hotspot is a three-day rolling average of three or more cases. But not all states use this hotspot definition.

Before you plan for your New Zealand adventure, it is not yet clear when Australians can travel across the ditch. Mr McCormack said on Friday any decision about Australians traveling to New Zealand was firmly in the hands of Jacinda Ardern. With New Zealand's general election falling on October 17, Ms Ardern may have more pressing priorities. Yet, while this one-sided travel bubble is more of a travel valve, it could be a welcome boost to Australia's tourism and aviation industry.

There's good news for anyone seeking a springtime getaway to Tasmania.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has announced Tasmania will reopen its borders to Queensland, the ACT, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia from October 26. Mr Gutwein said opening Tasmania's borders with NSW was a "possibility".

Meanwhile Western Australia has softened its harsh border policies. Travellers from Victoria no longer need to go into hotel quarantine at their own expense. Victorians are allowed to self-isolate at a "suitable place" such as a house for 14 days.

Australians have already embraced domestic travel. A whopping 2000 travellers went through Canberra Airport on the first day of travel between the ACT and Queensland. While it was only 10 per cent of the airport's capacity, it was a welcome sign of an appetite for travel.