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a[TEST] Oxford St and Surry Hills will be transitioning to the NSW statewide electronic medical records (eMR) system from Tuesday, 14th October 2025. You may notice that your appointment takes a little longer than it used to. We appreciate your patience with us during this time.
In most circumstances we are not able to test you if you have been tested within the last 3 months.
If you have any questions about your sexual health needs, please call Sexual Health Info Link 1800 451 624.
TESTING HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER
Please note: a[TEST] does not provide prescriptions for PrEP or MPOX vaccinations.
Getting tested more often is good for your health, and can help our community end new HIV transmission. Take advantage of a[TEST], a fast, free and confidential rapid HIV and STI testing service for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, regardless of HIV status.
You can find a[TEST] in three locations across Sydney: Oxford St (Darlinghurst), Surry Hills and Newtown.
Rapid HIV testing, as well as standard HIV and STI tests are offered at a[TEST] Oxford St and Surry Hills. a[TEST] Newtown does not offer rapid HIV testing at this time. Only standard HIV and STI testing is available at a[TEST] Newtown.
Our peer educators (trained guys from our communities) and nursing staff always provide a friendly, welcoming and professional testing experience, and even better, your entire appointment will only take around 30 minutes, including getting the result of your rapid HIV test.
What can I expect?
When you arrive for your appointment, you simply enter your contact and behavioural details into the electronic kiosk. This information is used to deliver your STI results (you can choose to get your results via SMS, Fax or regular post if needed for GP, or in person at Sydney Sexual Health Centre). Please note that we are unable to email results.
A peer educator will then provide you with information on rapid HIV testing and perform the test. While you wait for the result, you’ll do a throat swab and provide a urine sample and a bum swab (to check for chlamydia and gonorrhoea). Nursing staff will take some blood to test for syphilis and do a confirmation HIV test.
When the rapid HIV test result is ready, your result will be provided by a nurse or a peer.
The peer educators and nursing staff are able to answer questions or queries you might have about your sexual health and will also be able to help with a referral to other services if required.
Locations and booking hours
OXFORD ST (Darlinghurst): 167 Oxford St. (wheelchair accessible)
Monday – Friday 11:00am – 6:15pm
Saturday 11:30am – 2:30pm
SURRY HILLS: 414 Elizabeth St. (wheelchair accessible)
Wednesday and Thursday 2:30pm – 6:15pm
NEWTOWN: 404 King St. (not wheelchair accessible)
Monday 2:30pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday 2:30pm – 7:30pm
Update to NSW electronic medical records system
What is different about the new medical records system? Who can see my information?
Your notes, test results, prescriptions and medicines are now stored in your electronic health record. This helps us keep your medical record accurate and up to date, so we can give you the best care possible. If you go to other NSW Health services in our area, your medication list can be seen by those teams too. This helps make your care safer and more connected.
Your sexual health information and blood test results will only be seen by the other sexual health services. They will not be shared with other services. All NSW Health staff are trained to protect your privacy and keep your information safe.
eMR is connected to My Health Record and the Australian Immunisation Record, which will be automatically updated with results, medications, vaccinations and communication with your other health providers. If you do not want this information to go into the national My Health Record system, you can opt out or change your security settings by following this link https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/my-health-record/manage-your-record/profile-and-settings.
What will happen to my existing information from the old electronic record system?
Our old electronic medical record system will be made “read only”. This means that we still have your old records on file to refer to, but no new information can be added. As part of change to eMR, you will be provided with a new patient medical record number (MRN).
How will this affect my experience in the clinic?
Our staff will be receiving lots of training to make sure that they’re familiar with the new system, but whilst they get used to it you may notice that your appointment takes a little longer than it used to. We appreciate your patience with us during this time.
Who should I speak to if I have concerns or other questions?
If you ever feel unsure or have questions, please speak with a staff member.
If they cannot answer your concern, they will pass your detail to a manager who will contact you.
If you are still concerned you can contact the SESLHD Privacy Officer on 02 9382 7625 or email seslhd-legalservicesunit@health.nsw.gov.au
What to do if I'm showing symptoms of an STI
a[TEST] is an asymptomatic screening service, meaning treatment for STIs is currently not available onsite.
For other available options for HIV and STI testing contact the Sydney Sexual Health Centre on 9382 7440, RPA Sexual Health on 9515 1200 or KRC on 9360 2766.
What are the signs or symptoms of an STI?
You can acquire an STI without developing any signs or symptoms. However, when you do get symptoms, they can vary depending on the nature of the infection.
The best rule of thumb is that if you notice changes in your body, for example itching or discharge from your cock or arse, you should see a doctor or go to a sexual health clinic to get it checked out.
If the symptoms are clear and obvious, your doctor may choose to treat immediately rather than waiting for test results to come through, which means you recover faster.
Tested within the last 3 months?
In alignment with national testing guidelines, we are not able to test you if you have been tested within the last 3 months. We are only able to test within 3 months of your last test if:
- One of your sexual partners has tested positive to an STI and
- it has been at least 7 days since your last sexual encounter and
- you do not have any STI symptoms or
- you are about to travel overseas and will not be able to test for a long time.
If you would like a test within 3 months of your last test and you do not meet these criteria you may test with your GP.
Our Test Often page, has useful information about how often you should test based on your HIV status and the number of your sexual partners.
How to expect your results
Testing results are handled differently depending on the a[TEST] location you have visited.
a[TEST] Newtown:
RPA Sexual Health manage all results of tests done at a[TEST] Newtown. This service goes by ‘no news is good news’ policy, which means if you haven’t heard from us within 7 days, your tests are all negative. We will contact you if follow up is indicated by your test results.
a[TEST] Oxford St and Surry Hills:
Sydney Sexual Health Centre manage all results of tests done at a[TEST] Oxford St and Surry Hills. Results may take up to 7 days. If your results are negative, we will notify you via SMS. If we need to discuss your results or offer treatment, we will call you or send an SMS asking you to call us back.
For overseas visitors without an Australian mobile number:
To undergo STI screening, you must have an Australian mobile number. If you do not have one, we are still happy to assist you. However, please note the following:
- Results Notification: We operate on a “No news is good news” basis. We cannot provide results via email.
- Follow-Up: If treatment is required or we need to discuss your results, we will attempt to contact you by email, requesting you to call us.
- Responsibility: If you do not have a local mobile number, it is your responsibility to contact us for your results, even if you are abroad.
- Email Limitations: We cannot provide detailed results or engage in discussions about results via email.
Contact a[TEST]
Email: atest@acon.org.au
Phone: 02 9206 2000 (9:00am – 6:00pm Mon-Fri)
If there is not a time or day that suits you, or if you are showing symptoms of an STI, HIV & STI testing are also available at the Sydney Sexual Health Centre, RPA Sexual Health Centre and KRC.
If you believe that you have recently (in the last 72 hours) been exposed to HIV, call the PEP Hotline on 1800 737 669 now, you can also find additional info at www.getpep.info.
We’re committed to ending HIV through more frequent testing, and we need you to be too. Book your test now.