Book a Test
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a[TEST] Surry Hills is temporarily closed due to clinical partner commitments to the current MPOX vaccination hubs.
a[TEST] currently offers appointments from Monday – Saturday, bookings are required.
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. Book your MPOX vaccination appointment online here.
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 two locations across Sydney: Oxford St (Darlinghurst) and Surry Hills.
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
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.
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.