HIV testing

Testing for HIV is an important tool for preventing the transmission of HIV and reducing the adverse health effects that can be experienced when HIV is not detected and treated early.

All sexually active people should have regular testing for sexually transmissible infections (STI), including HIV and syphilis, at least once a year or more often (every 3-6 months) if they have new or multiple partners. Regular testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs is also recommended for people who use drugs.

HIV testing should also be routinely offered to people with ‘clinical indicator illnesses’ (symptoms that could indicate HIV infection), people commencing HIV PrEP or PEP, priority populations disproportionately affected by HIV, during pregnancy, and whenever a person asks for an HIV test.

If you have been exposed to HIV, it may take from 2 to 12 weeks before the infection will show up on a test. This is called the infection ‘window period’. Testing again after the ‘window period’ is over is important to ensure that infection has not been missed.

In South Australia, there are three HIV testing options available:

Self-test

This is a finger-prick test that you can do in any location that is comfortable for you, such as at home. It takes about 20 minutes to get the result.

Self-tests can be purchased from some pharmacies or accessed for free through the following programs:

  • CONNECT (self-tests are available through vending machines at selected sites)
  • HIVTest.au (self-tests are available through an online service).

A reactive self-test result means that you may be HIV positive. The test has reacted to specific antibodies in your blood, and this should be investigated further.

Any reactive self-test result needs to be followed up by booking an appointment with a sexual health clinic, general practitioner (GP) or nurse practitioner.

They will organise for you to have a confirmatory HIV blood test. Aligned with national guidelines, testing for other STI and blood borne viruses (BBV) should also be offered.

Point of care test (rapid antibody test)

Like the self-test, this is a finger-prick test. Depending on the test being used it takes between 1 to 20 minutes to produce a result. 

Some health services provide this testing as an initial, quicker option to the standard HIV blood test.

This testing is also sometimes conducted through a trained peer service, such as SHINE SA’s free Rapid HIV Testing service.

A reactive point of care test result means that you may be HIV positive. The test has reacted to specific antibodies in your blood, and this should be investigated further.

Any reactive point of care test result needs to be followed up by booking an appointment with a sexual health clinic, general practitioner (GP) or nurse practitioner.

They will organise for you to have a confirmatory HIV blood test. Aligned with national guidelines, testing for other STI and blood borne viruses (BBV) should also be offered.

HIV blood test

This is where a sample of blood is taken from a vein in your arm to diagnose HIV infection. HIV blood tests can be ordered by a GP or conducted at a sexual health clinic, such as:

Online sexual health providers who offer STI and BBV testing are also available, refer to ASHM Health for a list of accredited services.

Blood testing is the most accurate way to diagnose HIV and is required to confirm a diagnosis if you have had a positive reaction to a rapid antibody test or a self-test. Aligned with National Guidelines, testing for other STI and blood borne viruses (BBV) should also be offered.

U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable)

The risk of acquiring HIV from any exposure involving a person known to have HIV is dependent on the amount of virus they have in their body (their HIV viral load).

People living with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load, cannot sexually transmit HIV. This is known as treatment as prevention or U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable). An undetectable viral load also significantly reduces the risk of transmission of HIV via injecting and breastfeeding.

For further information about U=U: