How to get a free HIV self-test Kit
1. Register
2.Find a location
3. Test
MyTest vending machine locations
You can find a MyTest vending machine here:
-
0117 Bridge Street, Rydalmere 2116
Machine location: Bar lounge (entry fee to Aarows does apply)
Machine hours: Available 24 hours -
02Level 1/38-42 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Machine location: Bar lounge (entry fee to Sydney Sauna does apply)
Machine hours: 10am – late Monday – Thursday and 24 hours Friday - Sunday -
03Corner Railway Parade and McBurney Road, Cabramatta, 2166
Machine location: Entrance area of Core Community Services building
Machine hours: 9am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 5pm Monday to Friday -
0485-91 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Machine location: Opposite wall to the cloak room
Machine hours: 10am - late -
05Corner Auckland Street and Hunter Street, Newcastle 2300
Machine location: Lower Ground Level.
Machine located near the right rear exit, beside room XG24
Machine hours: Public access: Monday – Friday 7am – 6pm
Machine hours: Student access: Monday – Friday 6am – 1am
and Saturday – Sunday 8am – 10pm
Before you do a HIV self-test
How to read your results
About MyTest
The MyTest project promotes HIV testing and helps provide access to free HIV self-test kits via vending machines.
MyTest is a NSW Health funded project. MyTest is particularly focused on supporting people who have never been tested for HIV or those who infrequently test for HIV, as well as those who face barriers to regular sexual health testing due to health insurance or Medicare ineligibility.
To get a MyTest kit from a vending machine, all you need to do is provide an email address or mobile number to register online and select a vending machine location near you.
MyTest supports the NSW HIV Strategy 2021-2025.
For more information on the MyTest project, contact:
nswh-mytest@health.nsw.gov.au
The MyTest project promotes HIV testing and helps provide access to free HIV self-test kits.
MyTest is a NSW Health funded project aimed at increasing HIV testing accessibility in South West and Western Sydney.
MyTest supports the NSW HIV Strategy 2021-2025.
For more information on the MyTest project, contact:
nswh-mytest@health.nsw.gov.au
What is HIV?
How do I prevent HIV?
It’s important to put your health first. To prevent HIV, you can:
- use condoms during sex. Condoms stop HIV from being passed on. Make sure you change condoms with each new partner and when sharing sex toys.
- take the medication PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) if you are at risk of getting HIV. PrEP prevents HIV.
- take PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) for one month if you think you have been exposed to HIV. PEP will reduce your risk of getting HIV. It is important to start PEP as soon as possible after you have had unprotected sex and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after you may have been exposed to HIV.
- do not share needles, syringes or other injecting equipment.
- test regularly for STIs and HIV.
For people who do have HIV, if they take their HIV treatment correctly, the amount of virus in their blood is very low (undetectable) and cannot be passed on to sexual partners.
How accurate is the test?
The Atomo HIV self-test kit has been shown in laboratory testing to correctly identify 99.6% of HIV negative and HIV positive samples.
Like other HIV tests, the Atomo HIV self-test kit may not detect HIV that is recently acquired. For the Atomo HIV self-test kit, the window period is three months. This means that the test may not detect HIV that has been acquired in the last three months.
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 Monday - Friday to find where you can get a free and private test. For information and support at other times, you can call healthdirect.
If you would like an interpreter to speak in your language, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. It's free and confidential.
What happens if I get a positive result?
While the HIV self-test is extremely accurate, if your result is a positive result, you will need to follow up and get a blood test with a doctor to confirm your result. If you have tested positive for HIV, it is normal if you feel shocked, confused or upset.
If your result is confirmed positive by your doctor, they will talk to you about the next steps, including treatment, talking to your loved ones and other important things you need to know.
If you have tested positive for HIV, it is important you:
- don't ignore the result.
- start treatment for HIV as soon as possible.
- connect with a doctor you trust.
- practise safe sex.
To find out where you can get a free and private follow up test, call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 Monday - Friday. If you would like an interpreter to speak in your language, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. It's free and confidential.
Positive Life NSW supports people who are diagnosed with an STI (including HIV), to notify or tell partners. Get the support you need from someone else (a peer) who has been through the process of notifying partners (sexual or injecting) themselves. Call 1800 245 677 or email contact@positivelife.org.au for support.
You can also get support from a range of services like ACON, Positive Life NSW, Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service , NSW Sexual Health Infolink, Pozhet and healthdirect.
Is HIV treatment free?
Yes. HIV treatment is free for all people in NSW (no Medicare card required).
Is the packaging discreet?
Yes. The MyTest packaging is discreet. The packaging has a QR code on it that links to the MyTest project website. No information about HIV is on the outside of the packaging.
The MyTest kit contains a HIV self-test kit, two condoms, two sachets of lubricant and an information card.
