Positive Life NSW

The HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC) has brought out a new booklet, Disclosing your HIV status: A guide to some of the legal issues.

It includes sections on:

• Sex and relationships
• Employment
• Superannuation
• Insurance
• Travel and Immigration
• Medical Care and Treatment
• Centrelink
• Housing, Education and Finances
• Sport
• Police and the Courts
• Privacy Protection
• Discrimination
• Useful Contacts

For example, here is one of the questions in the booklet on superannuation:

Q: Do I have to disclose when I apply for super?

A: When you apply to become a member of a superannuation fund there should be no requirement to disclose any health information.

When you apply you will normally be given a choice of insurance cover. You can choose either:

• No insurance cover (and no requirement for disclosure of your health information);
• Standard or ‘group’ insurance cover offered to every member. Generally this has no requirement for disclosure of your health information;
• ‘Top up’ cover in addition to the standard cover offered to every member. This type of cover will require disclosure of your health information.

Standard cover may be the best option as all applicants are generally accepted for death and disability cover without disclosure of their health information. Be sure to read all attached health questionnaires carefully as most of these are usually optional and do not need to be completed.

If you would like a copy call ACON on 92062000 or Positive Life NSW on 93616011 (freecall 1800 245 677)