Where to get medical help in NSW

Visit the NSW Health website to find out where you can go for non-urgent medical help while you are at Sydney Mardi Gras.

If you are seriously injured, seriously unwell or have a life-threatening medical emergency, visit a hospital emergency department or call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Examples of medical emergencies include sudden collapse, chest pressure or pain lasting more than 10 minutes, breathing difficulty and uncontrollable bleeding.

Doing this will mean people who need emergency medical care can receive it by saving ambulances and emergency departments for saving lives.

Monkeypox advice

Learn more about monkeypox

What it is, how it spreads and the symptoms in your language.

Vaccination against monkeypox

The vaccine available in Australia is called JYNNEOS. Two doses of the vaccine give the best protection against monkeypox. All eligible people attending Sydney Mardi Gras are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. International and interstate people visiting NSW for Sydney Mardi Gras can get vaccinated for free. Check your eligibility, make a booking online or call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink (1800 451 624) who can help you make a booking with help in your language.

Monkeypox symptoms

 If you have symptoms before travelling to Sydney, do not travel until you confirm that you do not have monkeypox. If you have symptoms while in NSW:

• self-isolate at home – do not attend Sydney Mardi Gra or other events
• avoid all contact with others
• contact your doctor if you are a NSW resident
• call the Public Health Unit (1300 066 055) if you are visiting NSW. You can also call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink (1800 451 624) who can find support in your language.
• go to a publicly funded sexual health clinic for free, even if you are not from Australia.

Exposure to monkeypox

 If you’ve been exposed to monkeypox before travelling to Sydney, do not travel until you confirm that you do not have monkeypox. If you are exposed to monkeypox while in NSW:

• do not attend Sydney Mardi Gras or other events
• self-isolate immediately and call your doctor if you live in NSW
• call the Public Health Unit (1300 066 055) if you are visiting and tell them you have been exposed to someone who has monkeypox. You can also call theNSW Sexual Health Infolink (1800 451 624) who will be able to find support in your language.

COVID-19 advice

Everyone attending Sydney Mardi Gras is encouraged to:

• stay home if unwell
• stay up to date with your vaccinations
• consider wearing a mask in crowded, indoor places
• get together outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces.

Vaccination offers your best protection against serious illness from COVID-19. Check that you’re up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations. Visit NSW Government for vaccination advice in your language.

Tested positive to COVID-19? To protect others, follow the advice for people testing positive, including staying at home or in your accommodation until you do not have symptoms.

Have COVID-19 symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever)? It’s recommended that you stay home or in your accommodation and get tested for COVID-19. Do not go to Sydney Mardi Gras.

Close contact of someone who has COVID-19? You are at risk of having COVID-19. Monitor your symptoms and take multiple rapid antigen tests.

For COVID-19 advice, call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

Sexual health advice

You can call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink (1800 451 624) who will be able to find information and support in your language when it comes to:

• pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): medication taken by HIV negative people to prevent HIV infection
• post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): medication if you think you may have been recently exposed to HIV
• sexually transmitted infection and HIV symptoms and testing
• access to condoms
• general sexual health advice.

You can also visit a NSW sexual health clinic for sexual health prevention, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), access to condoms, testing and treatment. NSW publicly funded sexual health clinics are free.

Alcohol and other drugs

• If you’re drinking alcohol, keep track of how many drinks you’ve had to avoid injury or making yourself sick. It’s a good idea to have water between each alcoholic drink.
• Using drugs comes with risks. You don’t know the purity, what other things have been added to them, the strength or how it will affect you. Avoid mixing alcohol with other drugs. If you use drugs, tell someone you trust what you’ve taken.
• Medical help is available at events during Sydney Mardi Gras. If you or a friend needs help, tell the medical staff so they can help you. You won’t get into trouble by asking for help.
• Police will have drug testing during the Mardi Gras Parade, as well as the after party and other festivities.
• If you’re supporting someone showing signs of not being okay, get help fast. At festival events, get help from an ambulance officer or the medical service. At other locations, phone emergency services on Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Mental health

For mental health support in your language, call the Transcultural Mental Health Line on 1800 648 911 (available 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).