Blood tests ordered by GPs will be screened for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a bid to one day answer the question of whether Australia has herd immunity to COVID-19.

The project is being led by the Kirby Institute at the UNSW Sydney and already has sign-up from state and private pathology services.

Lead researcher Scientia Professor John Kaldor said in the short term the findings would provide more accurate estimates of the rate of asymptomatic infection.

“From overseas work, we know roughly what these ratios are, but they will vary from nation to nation.”