Canberra Sexual Health Centre

Canberra Sexual Health Centre is a specialist clinic providing professional and non-judgmental care.

We provide free testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and are the region’s largest HIV outpatient service.

We can be contacted from Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.

Phone: 02 5124 2184 or Fax: 02 5124 8200

For after-hours advice, please speak to a registered nurse at HealthDirect on 1800 022 222.

Appointments and clinic times

To help us maintain social distancing across the clinic, we now have an appointment system. Please do not come to the clinic if you do not have an appointment as you may not be able to be seen.

Please call 02 5124 2184 and one of our sexual health nurses will discuss your needs and book an appointment as necessary.
 
You can call to speak to the nurse about an appointment on:

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9am and 4.30pm; and
  • Wednesdays between 12.30pm and 4.30pm

Same day and next business day appointments are nearly always available.

Having a booked appointment means you will not have to wait too long.

We have telehealth options too.

COVID-safety: please do not come to the clinic if you are unwell and need COVID-19 testing https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/stay-safe-and-healthy/symptoms-and-getting-tested

Australia Day Long Weekend Opening Hours

The Canberra Sexual Health Centre will be closed on Monday 25th January 2021 AND Tuesday 26th January 2021.

We re-open 9am Wednesday 27th January 2021.
Booked appointment only - please call 5124 2184 to book your time.

For urgent sexual health care please see your GP, attend the emergency department or one of the Walk-in Centres located in Gungahlin, Belconnen, Dickson or Tuggeranong.
If you require HIV post exposure medication, please attend your nearest emergency department, or contact the PEP Hotline on 1800 737 669 for advice.

Frequently asked questions

Please check our FAQ page for information and answers to commonly asked questions, including information about our service changes.

Information for GPs

Specialist care is bulk-billed. Please provide named referrals addressed to Dr Sarah Martin or Dr Alexandra Tyson and fax to 02 5124 8200.

HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

HIV PEP should be started as soon as possible after HIV exposure. Please call us between 8:30am and 5pm to arrange an urgent PEP consultation—this includes Wednesday mornings when our clinic is closed. Please tell us you need a PEP consultation when you call and again when you arrive at the clinic.

If you require after hours PEP assistance, please visit your nearest Emergency Department.

For more information, please see the PEP Brochure.

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

PrEP is a preventive treatment for people with a medium to high risk of contracting HIV. PrEP is a daily medication, with 3-monthly check ups for STI and HIV, and regular kidney function checks.  GPs as well as doctors and nurse practitioners at the Sexual Health Centre can prescribe PrEP.

PrEP medication can be dispensed by any community pharmacy, although some may need a few days to order in your medication. If you have a Medicare card, PrEP costs the same as most usual prescriptions.

If you do not have a Medicare card, you can purchase PrEP privately with a prescription through online pharmacies.  Please book an appointment at the Sexual Health Centre or call Meridian (formerly the AIDS Action Council) on 02 6257 2855 for more information.

For more information on all aspects of PrEP, please see the PrEP Factsheet.

DBS Home HIV testing

What is a DBS Test?

A Dried Blood Spot (DBS) test is a HIV test you can do from the privacy of your home.

It’s free, convenient, effective and confidential.

The DBS HIV test is a painless finger prick you can do yourself. It only takes 5 drops of blood.

It means you can get tested for HIV even if you don’t like needles, or you don’t have the time to visit the doctor to test for HIV.

Who can order a DBS Kit?

Currently, you can order a DBS HIV test if:

  • you are a man who has sex with other men

OR

  • you are from Africa or Asia or you have (or have had) a sexual partner who is from those regions

How do I order a DBS kit?

For more information and to order your DBS home testing kit, visit:

Don’t forget about STIs, they won’t forget you!

Dried blood spot testing does not test for any other infections other than HIV, see your doctor or clinic if you would like a full sexual health check-up.

Sexual Health Resources

The sexually transmitted infections (STI) factsheets below will help you understand the sexual health issues of importance to you:

Sexual Health, Lifestyle and Relationship Program (SHLiRP)

SHLiRP is a collaboration between Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT & Canberra Sexual Health Centre. The program brings sexual health screening and relationship education to secondary colleges in the ACT.

Check out https://www.shlirp.info/ for more details.

Support Services

Please see the details below for services that can offer you support.

Forensic and Medical Sexual Assault Care (FAMSAC)

FAMSAC provides a safe and caring environment for victims of sexual assault. 

LGBTIQ Health Resources

Street Address
Canberra Hospital, 5, Gilmore Cres, Garran ACT 2605
Page last updated on: 5 Jan 2021