Testing for hepatitis C
Who should get tested
You should also consider having a hepatitis C test if you think you might have been exposed to the virus. To understand your risk, check the Transmission of hepatitis C page.
It is also recommended to get tested for hepatitis C if:
- you have been in prison.
- you have hepatitis B or HIV.
- you moved to Australia from a place where hepatitis C is more common.
Source: Polaris Observatory, CDA Foundation
Types of hepatitis C tests
| Test | How does this work? | What does this mean if positive? |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis C Antibody Test | This is a blood test to show if you have ever had hepatitis C. | If you test positive you will need to have a RNA test. |
| Hepatitis C RNA Test | This is a blood test to show if you have hepatitis C now. | You have hepatitis C. Visit your doctor to talk about the cure. |
| Dried Blood Spot (DBS)Test | The DBS finger stick test is ordered online and you do it at home. You use the small needle (lancet), provided in the test kit, to prick your finger and collect a few drops of blood and send it to a laboratory for testing. You get the result in one week. | If the DBS test shows hepatitis C in your blood. You will need to have a blood test to confirm if you have a current infection. A nurse will call you and tell you where you can go for a hepatitis C blood test. |
Where to get tested
General practitioner (GP)Your doctor (GP) can give you a blood test for a hepatitis C test. This is the most common way to get tested. Your doctor takes a blood sample and sends it to a laboratory to test for hepatitis C. The test is free if you have a Medicare card. You may have to pay the doctor unless you visit a GP that bulk bills.
Sexual Health Clinics
Testing for hepatitis C at NSW Sexual Health Clinics is free, easy and confidential for selected patients. At some clinics you don’t need a Medicare card and don’t need to give your real name if you don’t want to.
For more information about which clinic is best for you, call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 or visit www.shil.nsw.gov.au.
.
If you prefer to speak in your own language, you can use the free interpreting service by calling the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50, or visit www.tisnational.gov.au.
The Dried Blood Spot (DBS) test is a free, easy and confidential test you can do at home. You order the test online and do it at home. You use the small needle (lancet) provided in the test kit to prick your finger and collect a few drops of blood and send it to a laboratory for testing. You will get the result in a week by phone, text or email.
Click here for more information about the DBS test.
DBS demonstration video
Family Planning Clinics
Family Planning Clinics offer a range of reproductive and sexual health services, including testing and treatment for sexually transmissible infections (STIs), contraception information and procedures, and pregnancy options counselling. You may have to pay for the cost of the service.
Family Planning NSW Talkline provides free and confidential information, and advice on sexual health issues, including hepatitis C. Contact the Talkline on 1300 658 886, or visit www.fpnsw.org.au. Click here to find a family planning clinic near you.
Outreach Clinics
These clinics offer hepatitis C testing and treatment in the community at places like community centres, homeless services, community correction services, pharmacies, private methadone clinics and with our District mobile health vans.
Point-of-Care testing (PoCT) sites
There are several research sites across NSW for the Australian Hepatitis C Point-Of-Care Testing (PoCT) Program. On these research sites, you can do a hepatitis C test and receive your result on the same day. At a PoCT site, a health care worker can discuss treatment options with you on the same day if your test comes back positive for hepatitis C.
To locate a PoCT research site for a hepatitis C test, visit hepcpoct.com.au.
BACK
