This HIV Awareness week, 1-7 June 2022, take some extra care of yourself!

Ask for a HIV test – it is easy, confidential, and can also be free. Let’s make HIV testing a regular part of anyone’s routine health care.

Know for sure and get tested! – Positive Life NSW Media Release
HIV now infects more heterosexual people than gay or bisexual men – UK Terrance Higgins Trust

HIV testing is easy and confidential

Get tested at your general practitioner (doctor)
Order a Dried Blood Spot through the post
Buy an Atomo HIV Self Test from your local chemist and test yourself in the privacy of your own home
Get a free test at your local NSW Sexual Health Cinic
Men who have sex with men can test at a free rapid HIV testing site
Aboriginal Medical Services also offer free HIV tests
Call 1800 451 624
Visit the NSW Sexual Health Infolink

Your results are 100% private.

A Dried Blood Spot test is a private and personal way to test for HIV and hepatitis C

This finger prick test kit can be ordered online and sent to your home or a mailing address of your choice. You can order the test if you are:

a man who has had sex with men
a person with a transgender history
a person born overseas, or whose parents were born overseas, or who speaks a language other than English at home
an Aboriginal person
a person who currently injects drugs or has ever injected drugs
a person who has ever been or is in prison.

Who should get tested for HIV?

Positive Life NSW encourages everyone who is sexually active and believes you have been at risk, regardless of your age, gender identity or sexual orientation, to get a HIV test. HIV does not discriminate between anyone in the community.

Almost 10% of people with HIV in NSW don’t know they have HIV, which means over 11,000 people in NSW do not know they are living with HIV. When HIV is diagnosed early, effective treatments mean all people living with HIV can have a long and healthy life.

You should especially get tested for HIV if you:

are a man who has sex with other men
had sex when traveling in, or with someone from a country where HIV is common
come from a country where HIV is common
used injecting equipment after someone else
think you’ve been at risk, for example sex without condoms or the condom broke (Find where to get free condoms)

You can have a confidential conversation about HIV, STI prevention and testing, or HIV symptoms and treatment by calling the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (free call).

Are you an international student and want further information about how to navigate the NSW Health system? Visit the International Student Health Hub.