Early HIV testing in primary care key to better outcomes
24 Jun 2025
Early HIV testing in primary care helps reduce late diagnoses, especially in Greater Western Sydney, which accounts for a third of new cases.
South Western Sydney Local Health District staff specialist Dr Rachael Thomas (pictured) says: “HIV is a manageable condition and the earlier you are tested, the better your outcome will be because you can start treatment earlier. Knowing your status empowers people”.
Dr Thomas said normalising HIV testing in general practice is a key step in addressing this. “It’s always good to normalise HIV testing,” she said. “If someone is seeing a GP for the first time you could just say ’why don’t we just check your HIV status’.”
HIV testing is quick, free and accessible to everyone in Australia, regardless of Medicare or visa status.
“There are plenty of opportunities to test,” Dr Thomas said. “Normalised testing is incredibly important. That helps break down barriers and destigmatise HIV as a disease.” It can be accessed via GPs, sexual health clinics, or home self-testing kits via DBS Test, MyTest or hivtest.org.
Treatment is also free, and data shows starting treatment early makes a big difference.
“Starting people on antiretroviral therapy as soon as they’re diagnosed leads to better outcomes long term,” Dr Thomas said. “Patients can access treatment through sexual health clinics or GPs with an s100 prescribing license.”
For patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, concerns about privacy and stigma remain significant barriers.
“It’s incredibly important that patients know this information is confidential,” Dr Thomas said. “Sometimes just saying, ‘This isn’t going to leave my office,’ can make a real difference.”
If a patient receives a new diagnosis, GPs are encouraged to contact their local sexual health specialist who can provide advice on how to deliver the diagnosis and ensure fast referral to care.
The NSW HIV Support Program also offers tailored, expert support to help GPs navigate this process and provide patient-centred care at a critical time.
It is important patients feel supported, understood and have access to culturally appropriate care. The NSW Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service’s Clinical Concierge Program provides free, culturally appropriate support to culturally and linguistically diverse patients who are newly diagnosed with HIV. Bilingual cultural support workers assist with treatment literacy, care navigation and linkage to services.
With routine testing, early treatment, and culturally safe care, GPs can help reduce undiagnosed HIV and support healthier communities.
Simple steps for GPs:
- proactively offer HIV testing as part of routine sexual health screening
- promote and refer to self-testing options such as HIV Self-Testing kits, available for home delivery or through vending machines in some regions
- refer culturally and linguistically diverse clients to the Clinical Concierge Program to support linkage to care after diagnosis
- access and share in-language resources with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds
In-language resources and patient materials are available at mhahs.org.au