Get a HIV test today
HIV testing is free, easy, fast and confidential
Testing involves a simple blood test and there are many places to get tested:
Your test results are confidential - your results will only be shared with other health professionals for the purpose of your care.
There are some services where you don’t have to pay or show your Medicare card so testing is free!
Note: A consultation fee may be charged at non-bulk billing GPs.
Dried Blood Spot – a new and easy way to test for HIV and hep C
Dried Blood Spot is a new way to test for HIV and hepatitis C in NSW. The finger stick test is free, easy and confidential. You can order the test if you are a man who has had sex with men, from a country where HIV is more common (Africa/Asia), or have sexual partners from these regions.
Who should get tested?
You should get tested for HIV if you:
- had sex when traveling in a country where HIV is common
- come from a country where HIV is common
- had sex with someone from a country where HIV is common
- are a man who has sex with other men
- used injecting equipment after someone else.
In NSW in 2017, most HIV infections were in men who have sex with men, but 1 in 5 people diagnosed got HIV through heterosexual sex. This means that HIV is also passed on during unsafe sex between men and women. People can also get HIV through injecting drugs, but this is less common in NSW.
If you think you’ve been at risk of HIV you should get tested.
Why is HIV testing important?
Many people don’t know they have HIV, which means they are not getting the health benefits of HIV treatment. It may sound strange but being diagnosed with HIV is actually a good thing – knowing you have HIV means you can start treatment as soon as possible. Starting treatment early helps you stay well and live a long and healthy life.
Not knowing you have HIV could also mean passing it on to others. Effective treatment prevents you passing HIV to others.
Learn more about HIV treatment
How can I prevent HIV?
The best way to protect yourself and others from HIV is to practice safe behaviours. It’s really important to use condoms when you’re traveling overseas, particularly if you’re having sex in countries where HIV is common. Practising safe behaviours means:
You can also talk to your doctor about GP about taking PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) – this is where people who don’t have HIV take a pill every day to prevent them from becoming infected.
Learn more about HIV prevention and PrEP
Where to get help?
If you need more confidential information about HIV testing, prevention and treatment call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (freecall).
By testing more, starting treatment early and staying safe, we can end HIV
Watch Shannon, Michelle and Zainab talk about HIV.
Shannon
Like many of us, Shannon was surprised to learn that heterosexual people should also think about being tested for HIV. Watch him explain why.
Michelle
Michelle has been living with HIV for 25 years. Listen to her talk to her mob about how she stays healthy with new treatments.
Zainab
Zainab got HIV when she was 15 years old. 35 years later she is healthy and happy thanks to new treatments. Listen to her story.
Getting a HIV test
