HIV Testing Options: What You Need To Know
You might have heard of HIV before, we wrote about it in our last blog.
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus which is a virus that attacks your immune system (where our body fights infection). You can only get HIV through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, anal fluid or breastmilk. You can’t get HIV from saliva, sweat, or tears. People who get diagnosed and start treatment early can live long, healthy lives.
But do you know how to get tested, what happens with a diagnosis, or what kind of treatment options there are?
Let us break it all down for you.
According to the Kirby Institute’s Annual Reports and Data, the number of people diagnosed with HIV in Australia has been going down. In 2024, there were 757 new HIV diagnoses — that's 27% fewer than 10 years ago.
That's real progress, and it's happened because more people are getting tested, starting treatment early, and using prevention like condoms, PrEP, and PEP (again, check out last month’s blog for more on HIV prevention).
But there's still work to do.
In NSW, it's estimated that around 830 people are living with HIV right now and don't know it.
That's why getting tested matters so much.
Something really important to know upfront: you do not need a Medicare card to get an HIV test, treatment medications, or to access preventative medication (like PEP and PrEP) in NSW.
Why testing is the starting point for everything
When someone finds out they have HIV early and starts treatment quickly, they can live a long and healthy life. Treatment can get the level of the virus so low in the body that it becomes "undetectable." When HIV is undetectable, it cannot be passed on to anyone else.
This is called U=U or Undetectable equals Untransmissible.
But this only works if people know their status. That's why getting tested is the starting point for everything.
How to get tested for HIV
There are lots of ways to get an HIV test, from a GP visit to a vending machine. And many of them are free regardless of your Medicare status.
In-person: with a doctor or sexual health clinic
HIV and STI tests are free at all public sexual health clinics in NSW. If you have Medicare and visit a bulk-billing GP (a doctor who doesn't charge a gap fee), testing is also free there.
From a vending machine: MyTest
MyTest is a free HIV self-test kit you can pick up from vending machines around NSW.
The test takes 15 minutes and gives you a result at home in private.
You only need a mobile number or email address to register.
No Medicare card or ID is required.
You can get up to four free kits per month.
Your details are kept completely private and won’t be shared with anyone.
The MyTest website also has video instructions in multiple languages.
In the mail: Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing
A DBS test lets you test for HIV and hepatitis C from home. You prick your finger, put a few drops of blood on a card, and mail it to a lab. HIVTest.au sends free HIV self-test kits straight to your door — or anywhere you want them delivered. The service is available to anyone over 18 in Australia. No Medicare card needed.
How often should you test?
Once a year if you are sexually active
Every 3 to 6 months if you have multiple partners, have sex without a condom, or are on PrEP
As soon as possible if you think you may have been exposed to HIV
What happens to the result?
Your results are completely private. Testing for HIV does not affect your visa status. Your results will not be shared with your employer, immigration, or any government department.
HIV Treatment: What Happens After a Positive Diagnosis?
If you test positive for HIV in NSW, your doctor or sexual health clinic will help you start treatment straight away. The earlier you start, the better the outcome.
HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART is a combination of medicines taken daily that stop the virus from spreading in the body. Here's why starting treatment quickly matters:
It protects your immune system. Starting treatment early reduces damage to the immune system and keeps your body strong
It makes the virus undetectable. With treatment, HIV can be reduced to such low levels in the body that it can no longer be detected in a blood test
Undetectable equals untransmissible (U=U). With adequate treatment, the virus can become undetectable in your body, which means that HIV cannot be passed on to others.
In NSW, HIV medication is free from any NSW public hospital pharmacy even if you do not have a Medicare card. Prescriptions must be written by a doctor who is authorised to prescribe HIV medications (called an s100 prescriber). If your current doctor is not one of these, they will refer you to one who is.
HIV Peer Support: You Don't Have to Navigate This Alone
One of the most powerful things available to anyone navigating an HIV diagnosis in Australia is peer support – the kind where someone else who has tested positive and has been through the journey can help others who are just starting out.
Positive Life NSW is the largest peer-led and run representative body of all people living with HIV in Australia based in NSW, and the voice of all people living with HIV in NSW since 1988. They offer one-on-one peer support and navigation, partner notification support, social groups and Peers Connect Online, and workshops for people newly starting HIV treatment.
Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) is Australia's oldest community-based HIV organisation, providing client services and health promotion programs in NSW. They offer case work, financial counselling, disability support, health and wellbeing programs, and alcohol and drug support.
ACON is Australia's largest HIV and sexuality and gender diverse health organisation, providing up-to-date information and a range of programs and services for people with HIV. ACON deliver campaigns and programs to eliminate new HIV transmissions and support people living with HIV to live healthy and connected lives.
The confidential National Association of People Living with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) helpline can also be contacted on 1800 259 666 at any time or find peer support services in every Australian state and territory.
In the lead up to World AIDS Day, we will be hosting Josef Garrington (they/he) from ACON for a special On The Couch episode exploring HIV prevention and PrEP access. It's free, it's online, and it's a genuinely good conversation. Go back and check out past episodes of On The Couch in partnership with Josef.
More about Medicare
If you are over 15 years old, live in Australia and are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or a citizen of New Zealand - you can get your own Medicare card.
This means that you can independently make medicals appointments such as a sexual health check-up or HIV test without having to share one card with family members.
A Medicare card allows you to receive free or low cost health services and can be used at general practices, clinics, public hospitals and pharmacies.
No Medicare card? No Problem!
Not having a Medicare card does not, and should not, stop people from getting tested, treated, or supported for HIV in Australia.
The National Association of People Living with HIV Australia have also launched a campaign to promote this messaging - HIV Treatment for All.
This campaign is available in
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Spanish
Portuguese
Thai
Vietnamese
As of May 2026, it is mandatory to take an HIV test as part of the application process for permanent residency in Australia. But this is not a reason to delay testing — accessing HIV treatment early saves lives. Explore The HIV AIDS Legal Centre for questions related to permanent residency applications.
New arrivals to Australia might not know what to do about their HIV concerns. To help spread the word in migrant communities, download and use the HIV multilingual media toolkit from MHAHS.
Final word from the clinic
Learning about sexual health means understanding HIV prevention, testing options, treatment and peer supports available. Using prevention like condoms or PrEP, getting tested every 6-12 months and getting treatment if needed are all parts of a healthy, confident sex life.
Peace, Love & Protection