People without Medicare will now be able to access free or subsidised HIV treatment, thanks to a new $39 million investment from the federal government. 

The new funding model will allow people with HIV without Medicare to access treatment from hospital pharmacies or sexual health clinics, depending on which state or territory they live in. 

For example, in NSW, HIV medication will be provided free of charge from public hospital pharmacies.  

Previously, people with HIV without Medicare accessed treatment through an industry-sponsored compassionate access scheme. 

The new funding will help to improve access to treatment for people with HIV, which will in turn improve their health outcomes and reduce the risk of transmission. 

ASHM, the peak health body representing the HIV and sexual health workforce, has welcomed the new funding arrangements as being critical to the elimination of HIV transmission in our country.  

“These new arrangements will increase access to treatment for hundreds of people with HIV in Australia – a significant step towards achieving Australia’s goal of ending HIV transmission by 2030,” said ASHM CEO Alexis Apostolellis. 

“To seamlessly and effectively implement these changes, we need to make sure medical professionals are aware of them – so they clearly understand what this means for their clients.”