HIV testing in Australia is currently “opt-in”, which means that testing is conducted according to risk factors (such as sexual or drug use practices), clinical indication (such as having another sexually transmitted infection), where the clinician has formally obtained informed consent from the individual. Opt-out HIV testing is healthcare provider testing where an individual is tested in a universal, routine manner for HIV unless they explicitly decline to be tested (opt-out).
During October 2023, Positive Life explored the considerations and concerns of community members both HIV positive and HIV negative. Overall, opt-out HIV testing was considered to be an acceptable strategy to increase HIV testing and reduce onward HIV transmission, especially for sexually active people who consider themselves not at risk of HIV and to identify people living with undiagnosed HIV.
Opt-out HIV Testing – PLNSW position paper
