HIV testing just got easier.
Want to test for HIV but don’t want to make an appointment? There’s now another option in Tasmania.
Getting an HIV test should be easy, private and available when you need it. But getting to a sexual health service isn’t always simple. You might not have access to Medicare, be worried about privacy or being judged, have difficulty getting to a service, or simply have a busy schedule.
That’s where CONNECT comes in.
CONNECT is a federally funded project providing free HIV self-test kits through vending machines. It aims to make testing more accessible for people who can face barriers to traditional testing, including international students and people who cannot access Medicare.
CONNECT has now arrived in Tasmania, with the first Tasmanian vending machine available at the TUSA building at the University of Tasmania campus.
How does it work?
Answer a few questions online and provide your mobile number. You’ll receive a code by SMS. Take the code to a CONNECT vending machine, scan the QR code or enter the machine code, and your free HIV self-test kit will be dispensed.
You can take the kit with you and test somewhere private, at a time that works for you.
It’s also important to understand the window period. Testing can only give a reliable result after your body has had time to react to the virus. Depending on your immune system, this can take 6 to 12 weeks. This time is called the window period. You may still be able transmit the infection to others even if you don’t feel sick or are waiting for a test result.
It is important to note that these are screening tests only, and you will need to organise a follow-up blood test through your GP or sexual health service to confirm the result.
Want a free HIV self-test kit? Find out more at CONNECT.
