Public health information

Strategies

NSW Health are working to reduce HBV and HCV infections in NSW and improve the health outcomes of people living with hepatitis in NSW.

The NSW Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2026 and the NSW Hepatitis C Strategy 2022–2025 outline key actions and targets to be achieved in NSW and describe how the NSW public system will work with general practitioners, non‑government organisations, community organisations, researchers and affected communities to form a coordinated response to hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Prevention

The best way to protect yourself from hepatitis B is to get vaccinated and by adopting safe sex practices.

You can also avoid hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other infections by not sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment.

The NSW Needle and Syringe Program is an evidence-based public health program that aims to reduce reported receptive syringe sharing among people who inject drugs to 20% or lower and increase the distribution of sterile needles and syringes by 10% by 2025.

Testing

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are detected by blood test. Testing is easy and confidential, and available at many places: GPs, Family Planning Clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services, and Sexual health clinics.

Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing is a free, convenient, effective and confidential self-collection method to test for HIV and/or Hepatitis C that people can do in the privacy of their own homes. To see if you are eligible for this alternative form of testing go to DBS testing.

More information on hepatitis testing:

Treatment

Hepatitis C

Medicines for the treatment of hepatitis C are available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and have a cure rate of greater than 90 per cent.

More information

Hepatitis B

Everyone living with chronic hepatitis B should be receiving ongoing care. There are a number of drugs used to treat hepatitis B which are available via prescription from a hospital pharmacy or your local chemist.

More information

Stigma and discrimination

Misinformation about viral hepatitis can influence discriminatory behaviours in the community and within clinical settings. Stigma and discrimination hinder hepatitis B and C prevention, testing and treatment, and must be addressed to meet elimination targets.

No experience of stigma and discrimination is acceptable, and this is a deeply entrenched issue among people who inject drugs, people from CALD backgrounds, Aboriginal people and people with hepatitis B and C.

Data and resources

Data reports have been developed to monitor progress against the key actions and targets outlined in the NSW Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2026 and the NSW Hepatitis C Strategy 2022‑2025.

Reports on the progress of implementation of the strategies are available.

Current as at: Wednesday 23 July 2025
Contact page owner: Centre for Population Health