Last Updated 18 February 2021
Was it that long ago when personal protective equipment (PPE) was only the domain of medical professionals? With Coronavirus infection rates accelerating, the world has taken to wearing face masks as a way to combat COVID-19. While the advise remains that any type of face mask is better than none, many with pre-existing illnesses may find comfort in using certified medical grade face masks. Whether you want to support a homegrown business or some peace of mind when it comes to quality assurance, here’s where you can buy some Australian made surgical face masks.
Med-con
Med-con has been manufacturing surgical face masks in Shepparton, Victoria since 1989 and was Australia’s only surgical-grade face mask producer at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.
It currently produces Australian Standard AS4381:2015 Level 2 and 3 medical masks that are tested for filtration efficiency and fluid resistance. Med-con masks are hard to come by. Its main client has been the Australian federal government and they were previously contracted to provide the health sector with 59 million masks by the end of November 2020.
At time of publication, only Med-con Level 3 Surgical Mask with Ties are available for retail purchase. These Australian made fluid resistant surgical face masks offer Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) and Particulate Filtration Efficiency (PFE) of > 99%.
WHERE TO BUY:
Westlab – Level 3 Surgical Mask with Ties (Westlab are allocated 500,000 Med-con masks per month)
Bulk Buy – Level 3 Surgical Mask with Earloops
MCP Health
Brisbane-based MCP Health is a new division of a family owned business with over 30 years of medical and health manufacturing experience in Australia. They too produce AS4381:2015 Level 1, 2 and 3 surgical face masks for varying levels of risk exposure.
MCP surgical face masks are tested for Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE), with Level 1 filtering ≥ 95% and, Level 2 and 3 filtering out ≥ 98% of bacteria particles. These 3-ply, latex free masks are also fluid resistant and come in earloop and tie styles.
WHERE TO BUY:
Aussie Pharma Products – Level 2 Surgical Face Masks with Earloops
Aussie Pharma Products – Level 3 Surgical Face Masks with Ties
AMD
Advanced Medical Device (AMD) is Australia’s first manufacturer of N95 equivalent masks. Located in Sydney’s Baulkham Hills, they currently make the AMD Nano-Tech FFP2/P2 Particulate Respirator, which meets Australian and New Zealand Compliance Standards AS/NZS 1716:2012 for P2 masks. Testing completed by VicLab found that these Australian made masks filtered out 99.6% of particles.
AMD Nano-Tech Particulate Respirators come in a flat fold, 3-panel design that mimics Korean KF94s. Their competitive advantage is being able to fit more securely over your mouth and nose when compared to your average 3-ply surgical face masks. These fluid resistant respirators are also equipped with a nano-filter which provides higher levels of filtration efficiency when compared to the meltblown filters used in regular surgical face masks.
WHERE TO BUY:
Medshop
Aussie Pharma Direct
Evolve Group | Ipkis Medical
Evolve Group based in Brisbane, Queensland have also branched out into mask making as a response to COVID-19. They currently have 2 masks in their line-up: the Ipkis EV98 Respirator and Ipksi P2 Respirator.
With a familiar KN95 design, both earloop face masks offer a snug seal over the mouth and nose. They’re made from medical grade materials with a steel coated nose clip and are liquid repelling thanks to a resilient liquid resistant outer layer.
Both masks have a higher filtration level than KN95s. The EV98 blocks ≥ 98% of particles and their P2 Respirator provides 99% Particle Filtration Efficiency, meeting AS/NZS 1716:2012 requirements as tested by Australia’s CSIRO and VicLab. Most importantly, they are produced in an ISO 8 certified clean room and so you can rest assured that your respirators are hygienically made and safe for use.
Ipkis also offers a range of other PPE including face shields, face shield replacement visors and Ear Savers, worn around the back of the head to reduce the ear strain that comes with wearing masks for an extended period.
WHERE TO BUY:
All products are available via Ipkis Medical and this list of stockists
PPE Tech
Queensland’s PPE Tech is the newest addition to this growing list of Australian face mask manufacturers. Promising to be the most comfortable disposable face mask you’ll ever wear, these P2 respirators stand out from the crowd with 4 thicker layers made from ES hot air cotton and a mixture of non-woven spunbond and melt blown fabrics. What you get is a seriously soft, snug-fitting mask that’s still highly breathable.
Produced in their Brisbane and Sydney facilities, PPE Tech’s P2 masks have been tested by VicLab and meet AS/NZS 1716:2012 requirements. These KN98-style masks offer a Particle Filtration Efficiency of ≥ 98% and PPE Tech has advised that their respirators have a fluid resistant hydrophobic layer.
WHERE TO BUY:
PPE Tech currently stocks their P2 respirators in 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 packs