PrEP is one great way for gay and bisexual guys to prevent HIV in Australia.
Are you new to Australia and want to start PrEP? You have come to the right place. We will explain what PrEP is and how to get it here.
Whether you have Medicare or not, we will show you how to get PrEP cheaply.
In this article:
Key facts
- PrEP is a medication that can help protect you from getting HIV.
- It is suitable for HIV-negative men who have sex with men.
- You can get PrEP in Australia cheaply without Medicare.
What is PrEP?
PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It’s a pill that can help protect you from getting HIV.
It is common for guys in Australia to take PrEP to prevent HIV. It’s a good idea to ask your doctor about PrEP if you have sex with men.
When used correctly, PrEP is effective at HIV prevention. But PrEP does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Condoms provide effective protection against HIV and help prevent most STIs.
There are different ways to take PrEP. Check out our PrEP selector to find out which method is best for you.
Who is PrEP for?
If you are a HIV-negative man who has sex with men, talk to your doctor about starting PrEP. That being said, anyone can use PrEP.
How much does PrEP cost?
You can get PrEP cheaply if you have:
- Medicare: If you have a Medicare card, PrEP will cost $31.60 (or less) for one month’s supply (30 pills)
- Private health insurance: check to see if your insurance will cover the cost of PrEP.
You may also be able to:
- Import PrEP from overseas for cheaper (from $20 per month). You can learn more about importing PrEP in this article.
- Get free PrEP: You may be eligible for a free PrEP coupon through the PAN (PrEPaccessNow) scheme.
How to get PrEP in Australia?
There are a few steps you need to do before you can start taking PrEP:
- Have an HIV test. To get a prescription, you need to get an HIV and STI test. Our interactive map can help you find a testing service near you.
- Go to a doctor to get a PrEP prescription. You can visit a GP (General Practitioner) to get a prescription for PrEP. If you don’t know how to ask a doctor for PrEP, you can show them this letter from Australia’s peak sexual health organisation. They will ask to see your recent HIV test result and may ask you to get some further tests. The appointment may cost money, but may be covered by private health insurance.
- Pick up your PrEP from a chemist or pharmacy OR
- Order PrEP online
There may be other options for getting PrEP cheaply in your state. Click on your state or territory below to find out how to get PrEP:
PrEP is one of the many ways you can prevent HIV. Testing for HIV regularly will also protect the community by stopping the spread.
Other HIV prevention methods include using condoms or an Undetectable Viral Load. It’s important to have a strategy to avoid STIs and help stop the spread of HIV. The best HIV prevention method is one you can use consistently and correctly.
Got any questions about PrEP or looking after your sexual health? Send us a message on: