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.

Canberra Health Services is currently reducing non-essential, non-urgent activity across all its services in efforts to relieve pressure on the health system and to reduce the spread of COVID. 

Canberra Sexual Health Centre is now appointment only.

We are not able to run a walk-in service at this time.

We can provide urgent and essential care only.  

Please see your GP for non-urgent and non-essential sexual health care.

To make an appointment, please phone us on 5124 2184; we will take your details and ask you  to speak to a clinician first. 

PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE CLINIC IF

  • You have returned from overseas in the last 14 days 
  • You have a fever, cough, sore throat, cold, flu or diarrhoea
  • You are a contact of COVID                                                                                        

Thankyou for your support at this difficult time. 

Please do everything you can to avoid COVID and STI.

Stay safe. Stay at home if you can.

Remember hand hygiene and social distancing – when you are out or at work, stay 1.5m away from others. 

Getting Here

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

Information for GPs

Specialist care is bulk-billed.  Please address referrals to Dr Sarah Martin or Dr Alexandra Tyson and fax to 02 5124 8200.    For urgent phone advice please call us on 02 5124 3284.  

Do I need a referral from my GP?

You do not need a GP referral to attend the clinic but if you would like your GP included in your care or if your GP has sent you to the clinic we appreciate GP referrals addressed to Dr Sarah Martin or Dr Alexandra Tyson. These can be faxed to 02 5124 8200 or bring it to the clinic with you.

Where else can I get tested?

You can access testing and treatment for STI at any GP.

For other alternatives or suggested GP clinics see: www.aidsaction.org.au/gettested

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 come and talk to us at the Sexual Health Centre or call the AIDS Action Council on 6257 2855 for more information.  We can also help you monitor your health whilst on PrEP. For more information on all aspects of PrEP, please see the PrEP Factsheet.

Where can I get Emergency Contraception (the ‘morning after pill’) in Canberra?

You can get emergency contraceptive pills from the following:

Getting your results

You can receive your results via SMS, phone or in person.

SMS results are sent by a private number to your mobile phone.

Phone results are available by calling us on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday before 4pm. Please leave your details with reception so one of our nurses can call you back.

You can also walk-in or book an appointment at our clinic to receive your results in person.

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:

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: 27 Mar 2020