Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are blood-borne viruses that affect the liver. Hepatitis B is also sexually transmissible.
NSW Health is working to reduce hepatitis B and C infections and improve health outcomes for people living with or at risk of hepatitis.
The NSW Hepatitis B Strategy 2023–2026 and Hepatitis C Strategy 2022–2025 set key actions and targets, and outline how the public health system will work with GPs, community organisations, researchers and affected communities to deliver a coordinated response to hepatitis.
The NSW Aboriginal Blood-borne Virus and Sexually Transmissible Infection Framework 2025-2030 provides strategic guidance for the BBV and STI sector to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people affected by or at risk of BBVs and STIs.
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.
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:
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
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.
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 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.
