Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has sent a letter to Queensland counterpart Yvette D'Ath urging the state government to reconsider its border testing plans.
The Queensland government will require vaccinated interstate travellers from a Queensland-declared COVID-19 hotspot to return a negative PCR test within 72 hours before they cross the border.
People will also be expected to pay for these tests, which could cost up to $150.
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"I am concerned about this in two regards," Mr Hunt wrote.
"Firstly, it appears Queensland has failed to give sufficient regard to the value of rapid antigen testing (RAT) in this context, and secondly, that Queensland is proposing not to assist Queenslanders with the provision of these tests."
Mr Hunt said the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee's current advice was that "large-scale, non-targeted, asymptomatic testing in Australia should be strongly discouraged".
He said rapid antigen testing offered advantages in "cost, speed and convenience".
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However, he saved his strongest comments for the reported proposal to put the bill for the testing on travellers, pointing out that asymptomatic testing, as done for travel, or contact tracing, was funded through the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response.
He said the federal government had provided more than $7 billion to state and territory health systems through the Partnership as of November 7.
"A fundamental principle remains, and should continue, no costs should be imposed on those requiring a test, including necessary testing associated with border crossings," Mr Hunt wrote.
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"Given there has been no change to these arrangements, it is unclear to me why Queensland would now be suggesting that a different approach should be taken.
"It is difficult to see any reason for this other than Queensland seeking to remove its responsibility to ensure the provision of testing, including bearing 50 per cent of costs, as agreed under the Partnership."
He called for Queensland to reconsider its approach and implement "appropriate and risk proportionate" testing arrangements.
Former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said the state governments had been "doing very well" out of the federal Medicare rebates for PCR tests.
"It is a little bit astonishing that a government would then go and charge the public for the same sort of PCR tests when they have been getting money from the Federal Government for them, for the past 18 months," he told Today.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is standing firm and has said she "will not apologise" for keeping Queenslanders safe.
9News.com.au has contacted Ms D'Ath's office for comment.
