Businesses are being put on notice as the federal police launch an investigation into rapid antigen test price gouging.

Queensland and NSW businesses and individuals will be put under the microscope following referrals from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

The AFP is focused on people who buy RATs from a retailer and attempt to re-sell them at a 20 per cent or higher markup.

This doesn’t apply to retailers who buy their stock directly from wholesalers.

Strike teams have powers to force anyone engaged in price gouging to surrender the RATs, which will be sent to the National Medical Stockpile.

Individuals can face five years’ imprisonment for RAT price gouging.

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