Since 2015, all people living with HIV in NSW who are eligible for an Australian Medicare Card or if their country is listed within the Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with the Australian Government, can get our HIV antiretroviral medication free-of-charge.
- Click here to check which countries have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements for visitors to Australia (external link)
We can also take our prescription for HIV antiretroviral medication to any local chemist or pharmacy in NSW, and pick up our medication like any other medicine. Depending on the pharmacy, it may take them 24 to 48 hours to order in the medication, in which case you’ll need to return to pick up your medication. If you have a Medicare Card, this will be completely free.
If you are ineligible for Medicare or do not have a Medicare card and need HIV antiretroviral medication, you can get your HIV medication for free through the Medicare Ineligible Scheme. You’ll need to pick your HIV antiretroviral medication from a hospital pharmacy or a sexual health clinic that’s part of or linked to a hospital pharmacy.
NSW Sexual Health Clinics are free, confidential and anonymous for anyone, including International Students without a Medicare card, to get free testing, treatment and management of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV. They also offer free sexual health information and advice, such as contraception, other sexual health concerns, and vaccination for hepatitis A and hepatitis B for people at high risk.
- Find your local NSW Sexual Health Clinic or call Positive Life NSW on (02) 8357 8386 or 1800 245 677 (freecall), or email contact@positivelife.org.au
Further reading
- HIV antiretroviral medication co-payment waiver
- International Students Hub
- If you have received an STI diagnosis (including HIV) and want support telling a partner, call Positive Life on (02) 8357 8386 or 1800 245 677 (freecall), or email contact@positivelife.org.au
page updated: 3 November 2023
