10 March 26
Ending HIV
Don’t have Medicare? Here’s how to get PrEP
If you’re living in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, but don’t have Medicare, then we have some good news:
You may now be able to access PrEP for free!
Haven’t heard about PrEP before? Let us explain! PrEP is a pill that protects you from HIV. It is used by many gay and bisexual men living in Australia and around the world. Learn more about PrEP here.
We encourage all gay and bisexual men to consider taking PrEP if it’s right for their circumstances.
Who can get free PrEP?
This program is intended to offer free PrEP and checkups for people who don’t have Medicare, and:
- are living in Australia for more than a short-term stay
- meet the medical guidelines, making you eligible for PrEP.
That means a person on a working, working-holiday or student visa may be eligible. Sexually active gay and bisexual men are usually considered at risk of HIV transmission and meet the medical criteria. This can extend to anyone who is at risk of HIV transmission, not just gay and bisexual men.
Never been to a sexual health clinic in NSW? Get started here!
Already have a regular clinic? Skip to the next section.
How to get free PrEP
If you want to access free PrEP, call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink 1800 451 624, and they’ll be able to help you find a local sexual health clinic and book you in.
NSW has many public sexual health clinics across the state, and there should be a site near you. This includes a[TEST], a community-run clinic run by us here at ACON.
If you would prefer, you can book directly with one of these clinics to get started.
Access sexual health services with an interpreter
Interpreters are available when calling sexual health clinics and the NSW Sexual Health Infolink. Just request to be connected to a translator when you call.
Sometimes interpreters won’t be immediately available, and the clinic or NSW Sexual Health Infolink will need to call you back at a later time.
If you prefer, you can get a friend who speaks English to help you make the booking. If you take this approach, your friend would call the sexual health clinic, request an interpreter, and once the interpreter is on the phone, you can make the booking yourself directly in your own language.
Who has access to my results?
In Australia, your medical results and history are protected by doctor–patient confidentiality, and testing (positive or negative) for HIV or any other STI does not trigger a review of your visa status. You can read more about HIV testing and confidentiality here.
I already have a regular sexual health clinic
If you’re already getting your PrEP by buying it online (via the personal importation scheme), or you’re interested in starting PrEP, have a chat with your doctor next time you’re in.
Most people will be able to switch over to free PrEP easily! The process is simple, and they’ll be able to walk you through it.
Get tested for HIV and STIs for free at the same time
Not only can you get free PrEP at public sexual health clinics, but people at risk of HIV can get tested for HIV and other STIs completely for free. Pretty neat!
Getting tested in Australia should be a safe experience.
Sexual health service staff won’t judge you based on your sexual history. When a doctor or nurse takes your history or receives your testing results, that information is protected.
This means it remains between you and them, and will not be shared, without your consent, to anyone who is not involved in your healthcare.
Don’t worry, testing (positive or negative) does not trigger a review of your visa status, and that information is not shared with the Department of Home Affairs.