Starting 2021, temporary visa holders in Australia who are living with HIV will gain access to subsidised HIV treatment and care.

Approved by Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, this change will allow overseas students, workers and others on temporary visas to access subsidised HIV treatment.

The news was welcomed by Donatella Cifali, Senior Social Worker at Diversity Hub’s Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS). 

“We commend the government’s decision to subsidise HIV medications for Medicare-ineligible temporary visa holders. We have long advocated the issue, and believe it is the right step towards equity for all people living with HIV,” said Ms. Cifali. 

A large number of clients with MHAHS are Medicare-ineligible. Up until now, they have had to purchase their own medication at full cost, usually imported generic drugs from overseas or have relied upon compassionate access, which is not uniformly available via health providers.

“It is a relief to know that our clients will now be able to easily obtain health-giving medication just like anyone else. The decision also shows government commitment to ending HIV in Australia and globally,” said Ms. Cifali.

Visit our 2020 World AIDS Day campaign page here.

Finding the right information at the right time is critical if people are to stay healthy and to support our global goal to eliminate AIDS by 2030, according to Barbara Luisi, Director of the Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub at Sydney Local Health District.

As part of the state-wide Live Healthy with HIV campaign during the 2020 HIV Awareness Week, the Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) is encouraging people from culturally and linguistically diverse background to access multilingual booklet, HIV. What you need to know to stay healthy.

“Our booklet explains what it means to live with HIV as well as how people can protect themselves from HIV. The resource has up to date information on HIV test and treatment and a comprehensive list of care and support services to allay people’s concerns about living with HIV. It is a great resource to have and share.”

Available in 8 languages, the e-booklet can be downloaded here and free hard copies are available to order.

A number of events are being organised across Australia to support the HIV awareness campaign. Diversity Hub is supporting the campaign by undertaking an ethnic media campaign across 8 languages as well as partnering with the local HARP unit to organise information stalls in the local area.

For more campaign details, visit our campaign page here.

The SLHD Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub (DPASHub), of which the Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) is a part, has moved to a new office at Forest Lodge.

The move, for the first time, brings four units of SLHD Population Health - the Executive Unit, DPASHub, Health Promotion Unit, and the HIV and Related Programs Unit - under one roof.

Aimed at promoting collaboration among the services, this move brings fresh perspectives and provides new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Our new address is Level 1, 300 Bridge Road, Forest Lodge, NSW 2037.

 Starting 19 October, the campaign is reminding people of the need to get tested for hepatitis B during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 People from Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic and Chinese-speaking communities in NSW are urged to find out if they have hepatitis B by asking their doctor for a test.

 The state-wide campaign will run for a month across ethnic newspaper, radio and social media outlets to communicate a simple message: Are you living with hepatitis B? Find Out. Get Tested.

 The year-long campaign promotes hepatitis B testing and treatment services in the community.

 A multilingual resource toolkit, which includes the campaign resources and guidelines for use is available on the campaign webpage.

 For more information on the campaign, please contact Natali Smud on 9515 1234 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.