National HIV

Testing Policy
2020

testingportal.ashm.org.au | ashm.org.au
2 National
testingportal.ashm.org.au
HIV Testing Policy v1.5

National HIV
Testing Policy v1.5
Reviewed 2018- 2020

Disclaimer:
This Testing Policy has been developed as a concise source of standardised,
currently available information to inform those involved in ordering and
performing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing. This Policy is not
a set of clinical guidelines and it should not be used as a guide for the clinical
management of HIV.

This Policy was written by the National HIV Testing Policy Expert Reference
Committee, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. The
review process was coordinated by the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral
Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM).

The views expressed in this Policy are not necessarily those of the
Commonwealth Government of Australia. The Commonwealth, the Blood Borne
Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee (BBVSS) of
the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) do not accept
any liability for any injury, illness, damage or loss incurred by any person arising
from the use of or reliance on the information or advice that is provided in this
Testing Policy.

The web-based version of the National HIV Testing Policy allows for regular
revision, and access to related resources (e.g. related policies, operational
guidelines, evidence of best practice) with a download and print function which
can be found at: http://testingportal.ashm.org.au. Any references or web links to
products, services or information contained in this publication do not constitute
an endorsement of those references or web links.

Paper-based publications Electronic documents

© Commonwealth of Australia 2020 © Commonwealth of Australia 2020

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce
Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your
prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart
inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights
to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney General’s are reserved. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights
Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 or should be addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration,
posted at http://www.ag.gov.au/cca Attorney General’s Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit,
Barton ACT 2600 or posted at http://www.ag.gov.au/cca
testingportal.ashm.org.au 3

National HIV
Testing Policy
2020

The National HIV Testing Policy 2020 has been endorsed by the
Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee

The National HIV Testing Policy 2020 is supported by funding from

the Australian Government Department of Health.
4 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

Contents

INTRODUCTION 06
1.1 Background and context 06
1.2 Purpose and scope 06
1.3 Principles for HIV testing 07

2.0 TYPES OF HIV TESTING 09

2.1 HIV seroconverion window period 09
2.2 Laboratory-based testing 09
2.3 Point-of-care testing 10
2.4 HIV self-testing 10
2.5 Novel testing technologies and sample collection processes 11

3.0 INDICATIONS FOR HIV TESTING 11

3.1 Normalisation of HIV testing 15
3.2 Indicator triggered testing 15
3.3 Patient-initiated testing in the absence of indications 15
3.4 Testing in the context of contact tracing 15
3.5 HIV testing in the context of research 15
3.6 Mandatory and compulsory screening and testing 16
3.7 Public health management of HIV 16

4.0 INFORMED CONSENT FOR HIV TESTING 17

4.1 When informed consent cannot be provided by the patient 17

5.0 CONVEYING HIV TEST RESULTS 17

5.1 Contact tracing and partner notification 18
5.2 Confidentiality of HIV test results and testing data 18
5.3 Assistance to doctors new to diagnosing HIV 19

6.0 SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH 19

6.1 Delinked blood surveys 19
6.2 Identity unlinked HIV testing 20
6.3 Data linkage projects 20
6.4 Use of stored blood for research on diagnostic technologies 20
6.5 Use of unregistered in-vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDS) 20
testingportal.ashm.org.au 5

7.0 TESTING IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 20

7.1 Health-care workers 20
7.2 Routine antenatal testing 21
7.3 Testing of infants born to HIV-positive mothers 21
7.4 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) 21
7.5 Testing in prisons 21

8.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE OF IVDS FOR HIV TESTING 22

8.1 Pre-market quality assurance of HIV IVDs 22
8.2 Post-market quality assurance of HIV IVDs 22

9.0 FUNDING OF HIV TESTING 22

10.0 GLOSSARY 24
10.1 Abbreviations and acronyms 24
10.2 Glossary 24

11.0 REFERENCES 26

APPENDIXES 28
Appendix A: HIV Testing Policy Expert Reference Committee 28
Appendix B: Conveying Positive HIV Test Results
– Features of a Good Diagnosis 30
Appendix C: Conveying Negative HIV Test Results
– Features of a Good Diagnosis 32
Appendix D: Decision-making in HIV 33
06 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

1.0 of Testing Authorities (NATA) and the Royal College

of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) accredit
INTRODUCTION medical testing facilities against these standards.
Professional standards for pathology practice
1.1 Background and context are established by NPAAC and the RCPA. Some
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major tests can be used outside of the laboratory, such
global public health threat, with 37.9 million as HIV point-of-care tests or HIV self-tests. They
estimated to be living with HIV as at the end of may therefore be performed outside the laboratory
2018 . In Australia, it was estimated that 28,180
1
accreditation framework offered by NATA/RCPA.
people were living with HIV as at the end of 2018 . 2

Among people living with HIV in Australia in 2017, The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)
74.9% were estimated to be men who were exposed advises which tests should be subsidised through
to HIV through sex with other men, 22.4% were the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). It can also
people exposed through heterosexual sex, and 2.1% recommend any restrictions on eligibility. Tests for
were people exposed through injecting drugs3. Late blood-borne viruses, including HIV tests, undergo
diagnosis of HIV can lead to increased morbidity and the most stringent of pathology test evaluations.
mortality among those diagnosed, and unwitting Accreditation by NATA/RCPA is required in order
transmission of HIV to others. for pathology services to be eligible for the MBS
rebates.
The HIV testing landscape in Australia
Australia has a high-quality, comprehensive The policy aims to provide guidance to health-care
multi‐sector pathology service. Until recent years, workers to ensure that users of HIV tests, both
Australia’s policy for HIV testing had an exclusive inside and outside of the laboratory setting, are
focus on testing in formal laboratory settings. aware of the need to check that the device (i.e. test)
A review of the National HIV Testing Policy was being used is:
necessitated by the recent Therapeutic Goods • fit for purpose and approved by the TGA (unless
Administration (TGA) approval of an HIV self- otherwise exempt)
test; the adoption of the Eighth National HIV • of an appropriate quality
Strategy 2018‐2022, which set a target to increase • where relevant, used by individuals who are
the proportion of people with HIV (in all priority appropriately trained
populations) who are diagnosed to 95%; and the • in the case of self‐testing, supplied with
ongoing high rate of late HIV diagnoses in some appropriate information and instructions to
sub‐populations. enable individuals to perform and interpret tests
independently and with confidence
HIV tests supplied in Australia must pass evaluation • subject to procedures to ensure public safety and
by the TGA before entry onto the Australian Register confidence.
of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The TGA can place
conditions on this entry. The TGA has established 1.2 Purpose and scope
guidance on clinical performance requirements for This policy brings together in one place the
manufacturers and suppliers of HIV tests. principles, aims and arrangements for HIV testing
in Australia and is consistent with the aims of the
The National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Eighth National HIV Strategy 2018-2022. It fulfils
Council (NPAAC) sets quality standards for three main purposes:
pathology laboratories and the National Association
testingportal.ashm.org.au 07

• To bring together and reference standards for The key principles which guide HIV screening and
registered HIV tests and their usage in Australia diagnostic testing in Australia are that testing:
• To explore and describe how Australia will • is conducted ethically
consider new testing technologies as these • is voluntary, not harmful to the person being
emerge and provide a framework against which tested, and is performed with the informed
new technologies for HIV diagnosis will be consent of the person being tested, as with all
evaluated for use in Australia pathology testing
• To maintain an Expert Reference Committee • provides for an understanding of the epidemiology
(ERC) which comes together from time to time to of HIV infection in the population and a
consider issues relating to HIV testing and which measurement against which to evaluate National
provides advice to governments and regulators Strategy goals.
about what is best practice. Its membership
reflects the breadth of stakeholders with an In relation to evaluation, selection, quality
interest in HIV testing. and performance
• Tests are evaluated on the basis of being fit-for-
The policy has broad scope and applies to laboratory, purpose and meeting the TGA’s public guidance on
point-of-care and self-testing for HIV infection. It is clinical performance requirements.
also flexible, allowing for the consideration of new • HIV point-of-care tests should be selected for use
technologies as these emerge. Through the work of with particular populations, taking into account
the ERC, it should also allow for the identification of the characteristics of the population being
standards, legislation or processes which may need tested, in particular the expected HIV prevalence,
to be modified to keep in step with evolving evidence, incidence and likely proportion of recent infection
expectations and attitudes toward HIV testing. (i.e. acute) cases, based on an understanding of
HIV epidemiology in the sub-population and the
This policy recognises that HIV testing is vital to sensitivity and specificity of the test to be used.
stopping the transmission of HIV and is also a • Due to the longer window period (the period of
precursor to the initiation of treatment for HIV. It time after infection and before seroconversion
provides a framework for best practice approaches during which markers of infection are still absent
to appropriate high-quality HIV testing in the or too scarce to be detectable) compared to
Australian context. laboratory tests, when HIV point-of-care tests are
used, consideration should be given to undertake
1.3 Principles for HIV testing a complete sexual health screen. This includes
This policy supports the World Health Organization parallel laboratory-based venous HIV testing
(WHO) in adhering to five key components in relation (e.g. in high incidence populations such as gay,
to testing, also known as the “5 Cs”4: bisexual and other men who have sex with men,
• Consent and for testing patients following a recent HIV risk
• Confidentiality exposure).
• Counselling • HIV testing in the context of the initial assessment
• Correct test results and management of patients on pre-exposure
• Connection/linkage to prevention, care and prophylaxis (PrEP) should be performed on gold
treatment. standard laboratory tests (i.e. 4th generation
immunoassays and other tests available at
reference laboratories).
08 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

• All reactive screening tests, whether performed accordance with jurisdictional legal and policy
in a laboratory setting, point-of-care setting or by restrictions on sharing of information regarding a
self-testing, require further confirmatory testing by person’s HIV positive status.
a NATA-accredited reference laboratory. • Services offering testing should ensure that test
• Persons performing HIV testing are required results are conveyed to the person being tested
to undertake training appropriate to the steps in a timely manner, which will be contingent on
in the process for which they are responsible, the nature of the test performed. It would be
including for: gaining informed consent and reasonable to expect negative screening tests
meeting consent requirements within their relative for HIV to be available within two business days
jurisdiction, collecting the sample, interpreting however confirmatory tests for reactive samples
any result, conveying that result, and collecting a may take some days longer.
sample for confirmatory testing if necessary. • Where regulations or legislation allow for
• Persons performing HIV testing should strive to restrictions to be placed on individuals who
provide high-quality testing services, and quality are aware they have HIV,5 a reactive result by
assurance mechanisms should be in place to the initial HIV test, including an HIV point-of-
ensure the provision of correct test results. Quality care test or HIV self-test, will be considered
assurance may include both internal and external evidence of HIV infection unless reference testing
measures and should include support from a subsequently shows the individual to be free
recognised quality assurance provider. of HIV. Consequently, pending the outcome of
confirmatory testing, individuals who are reactive
In relation to access, availability and confidentiality on a screening test should be made aware
• Barriers to accessing quality, safe, and cost- of likelihood of the test being a true positive,
effective HIV testing and screening should be based on the type of test used and the result.
minimised. Practitioners should seek specific advice from
• Testing must be accessible to all those at risk their laboratory if necessary, and testing services
of HIV infection regardless of immigration or using point of care tests should be aware of the
insurance status. This may require access to positive predictive value of the test used. The
specialist services such as translators to ensure person tested should also be made aware of the
access for and consent of people from a non- transmission restrictions placed upon a person
English speaking background. with confirmed HIV infection6.These restrictions
• Anonymous testing should be available to may be through the use of public health powers
individuals, subject to the need to obtain de- and/or legislation in some jurisdictions.
identified demographic information from those • Testing practices must comply with all relevant
being tested to inform surveillance. Commonwealth and State and Territory
• HIV rapid testing (i.e. point-of-care testing) is antidiscrimination and public health legislation,
offered in clinical settings, and in community and other relevant laws and regulations5 including
settings which may include trained peer-to-peer those governing Commonwealth funding of
test facilitators. pathology tests, storage of medical and personal
• HIV self-testing is testing technology that can be information and confidentiality and privacy
performed by an individual in the absence of a protections.7
health-care provider or trained operator.
• All screening and diagnostic test results must
remain confidential and only shared with
individuals with a clinical need to know in
testingportal.ashm.org.au 09

2.0 type of tests used including HIV point-of-care tests

(rapid HIV tests) where detection of antibodies may
TYPES OF take longer.

HIV TESTING
In Australia, most laboratories use 4th generation
This policy covers laboratory-based testing and non- HIV antibody/antigen screening tests and the time
laboratory-based testing. The TGA has produced to detection is generally 3-4 weeks from infection;
guidance to assist and inform its evaluation of HIV however rare outliers have been reported. Following
tests: TGA Clinical Performance Requirements and a possible exposure to HIV, it is important to provide
Risk Mitigation Strategies for HIV Tests certainty around clinical information regarding a
person’s infection status, so statistical confidence
This guidance sets out differential performance limits (99%) are applied to the average time that
requirements for laboratory tests, HIV point-of-care standard screening tests become detectable
tests and HIV self-tests. It recognises that a lower to declare a person is uninfected. This period is
performance threshold may be acceptable in a typically set at 12 weeks. Therefore, a clinician can
test which is part of a screening protocol requiring say with confidence that a person with a negative
confirmatory testing, and that confirmatory testing HIV antibody test has not acquired HIV infection
must be able to demonstrate the highest quality and after 12 weeks, provided there has not been any
performance. It also specifies the need for training. further risk exposure. This approach considers
It is essential that those using any test are familiar all antibody-based tests including rapid HIV tests,
with its limitations and can communicate these where longer seroconversion periods have been
limitations to the person being tested or, in the case observed.
of a self-test, that the package insert addresses
these limitations. Reference laboratories perform a range of
laboratory-based testing strategies that will detect
This TGA guidance document is prospective and and confirm HIV infection earlier than 12 weeks, so it
relates to any tests which may be submitted to the is reasonable for such laboratories applying testing
TGA for evaluation. strategies that contain 4th generation (antigen
containing) and nucleic acid tests that the window
2.1 HIV seroconversion window period period may be reported as 6 weeks.
As with most infectious diseases, the human body
responds to HIV infection by producing antibodies 2.2 Laboratory-based testing
in an expected manner. These antibodies are usually Laboratories are subject to requirements established
produced within several weeks after infection, by the NPAAC. Laboratory staff are also subject to
although in rare cases they may not be detected for professional standards established by the RCPA and
a number of months. Immediately after infection international standards under which laboratories
has occurred it is not possible to detect any markers receive NATA/RCPA accreditation.
of infection. This period of time generally lasts for • NPAAC Requirements for Laboratory Testing
about 10 days after infection and is referred to as of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and
the ‘eclipse period’. Currently, the first marker that is Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
detected following the eclipse period is viral nucleic • Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia:
acid (RNA or proviral DNA) or p24 antigen if nucleic Professional Standards
tests are not used. HIV antibodies are generally • ISO 15189 Standard for Medical Laboratories
detected within 4 weeks, but this depends on the • NPAAC Requirements for Medical Pathology
Services
10 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

2.3 Point-of-care testing in the performance of the tasks for which they are
Most point-of-care tests require longer window responsible. Training should cover test operation,
periods to detect an infection compared to laboratory- sample collection and interpretation as well as
based tests (immunoassays and nucleic acid issues of consent, conveying the result, and any
detection). In this policy, reference to point-of-care confirmatory testing processes.
tests refers to rapid HIV tests being used at point of
care. Australian evaluations of point-of-care tests Staff should also receive specific training on the
have shown that many acute (very recent) infections operation of any newly introduced point-of-care test
would not be detected if point-of-care tests alone or sample collection process being used in a facility.
were used among people from high HIV incidence
populations, such as gay and bisexual men.8,9 Services providing point-of-care testing should have
a clear linkage to clinical and pathology services
In addition to the guidance on performance for the conduct of confirmatory testing. This
requirements issued by the TGA, point-of-care includes when point-of-care testing is performed in
HIV testing services are additionally subject to community-based testing services and in outreach
requirements established by the jurisdictions and settings, such as a mobile clinic or pop-up site.
health-care workers performing point-of-care
tests. Additionally, jurisdictions may require those 2.4 HIV self-testing
performing HIV point-of-care tests to contribute HIV self-testing involves a person collecting their
to surveillance data collection. Examples of these own specimen (e.g. blood from a finger prick) for
additional requirements include: HIV testing, applying it to a testing kit or device and
• The NSW Framework and Standard Operating interpreting the test result. Currently, there are no
Procedure for HIV Point of Care Testing devices allowing for oral fluid self-testing approved
• The NRL Requirements for Participation in a by the TGA for supply in Australia. Self-testing for
specific External Quality Assessment Scheme HIV provides opportunities for improving access
(EQAS) to testing and increasing frequency of testing
• The Royal Australian College of Pathologists among people at risk of HIV infection. Self-testing
External Quality Assurance Program minimises the barriers associated with conventional
testing e.g. the need to attend a health service
Sites that perform point-of-care testing should be to access a test, time taken for test results to be
enrolled and actively participate in a relevant external available, poor access to health-care providers,
quality assurance program. It is recommended that feelings of stigma associated with testing, and the
the site contribute to jurisdictional or national data risk of discrimination.10 Self-testing can also support
collection. autonomy, and provide added confidentiality,
privacy and convenience for people who may not
The application of these requirements is the otherwise engage in HIV testing. It has been shown
responsibility of the director of any service which in multiple studies, including in Australia, to be highly
provides HIV testing. The TGA requires that acceptable and easy to use with little to no support
an appropriately trained health-care worker is from trained staff.10,11 A randomised controlled trial
responsible for performing or supervising all aspects among Australian gay and bisexual men attending
of the testing process from sample collection to sexual health services showed that the provision of
test interpretation. All staff, including voluntary HIV self-testing increased the uptake and frequency
service providers, who perform HIV point-of-care of HIV testing, without diminishing the frequency of
testing should be able to demonstrate competency sexual health screening at services.11
testingportal.ashm.org.au 11

To maximise the potential benefits of self-testing Self-sampling is when a person collects their own
devices, the instructions for use (the package insert) biological sample for HIV testing (e.g. oral fluid
must be sufficiently illustrative and comprehensible or blood from a finger prick) and after collection
so that a user can perform the test correctly sends it to a laboratory for testing. Unlike HIV point-
and interpret the result accurately. In addition, of-care testing and self-testing, the analysis of a
the package insert must explain sensitivity and self-collected sample is performed in the laboratory
specificity limitations including the predictive value and a confirmed result is obtained. Dried blood spot
when used in high- and low-prevalence populations, sampling for HIV and hepatitis C testing has been
the window period, the need for confirmatory testing, successfully used in a government-led pilot study in
and referral points. New South Wales since 2016.12 The study is being
conducted under a clinical trial exemption from the
In 2018, the first self-testing device was approved TGA.
by the TGA. This device allowed self-testing to be
performed in the absence of a health-care provider Self-sampling for HIV testing may provide
or trained operator. Requirements for the online opportunities for improving access to testing and
supply of the first HIV self-test were that the sponsor increasing frequency of testing among people at
provide an online instructional video for users to risk of HIV infection through minimising the barriers
view prior to using the test, provision of an HIV associated with conventional testing e.g. the need
telephone helpline providing 24-hour customer to attend a health service to access a test, poor
support, training in the correct use of the device access to health-care providers, stigma, poor venous
and interpretation of results, and information about access, and the risk of discrimination. Self-sampling
how to access psychosocial support in the event can also support autonomy, and provide added
of a reactive result. Additionally, where the sponsor confidentiality, privacy and convenience for people
supplies the test for use by healthcare workers (in who may not otherwise engage in HIV testing.
organisations that employ health professionals International research suggests self-sampling for
(e.g. medical practitioners, registered nurses) to HIV is highly acceptable and easy to use with little to
perform or supervise6 the performance of testing no support from trained staff, although return rates
by appropriately trained staff) , those healthcare
7
for self-sampling kits may vary.13,14
workers must have received training in the delivery
and administration of HIV testing in accordance with
the requirements of this Policy, and organisations 3.0
must have an established relationship (in relation to
INDICATIONS FOR
the referral and testing of specimens) with a NATA-
accredited medical testing laboratory. HIV TESTING
2.5 Novel testing technologies and sample Jurisdictional and community-based approaches,
collection processes guidelines and protocols developed in line with the
Before their availability in Australia, any new testing Eighth National HIV Strategy 2018-2022 should
technology or sample collection device must be reflect local epidemiology and demographic data to
approved by the TGA. Currently, there is no TGA- facilitate the appropriate testing frequency among
approved HIV test that is intended for use with self- populations at risk of HIV. These approaches
collected samples, such as oral fluid or dried blood support firstly the public health goal of diagnosing
spots. However, there are various provisions for at least 95% of those living with HIV, in accordance
exemption, such as for a clinical trial, that allow for with the specific targets of the Eighth National HIV
regulated access to unapproved devices. Strategy 2018-2022 to work towards the elimination
12 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

of HIV; and secondly the individual benefit of • Individuals who have received care in certain
people unknowingly living with HIV in Australia, health-care settings, such as services overseas
especially the still significant proportion of people where there may be poor infection control
living with HIV who present late (with a CD4+ practices or where infection control breaches have
cell count at diagnosis below 350 µL) who would been identified
have a significant health benefit from an earlier • People from high-prevalence countries (see table
diagnosis. In Australia, between 2013 and 2017, on p.14), recently-arrived refugees, asylum-seekers
almost 50% of new HIV diagnoses among people and people who have arrived as humanitarian
reporting heterosexual exposure, or origin from a entrants or other refugee-like circumstances
high prevalence country, and 26% of new diagnoses • The following countries were recognised by
among gay and bisexual men, were late HIV UNAIDS to be high HIV prevalence countries
diagnoses. Testing for HIV infection is currently
15
(national HIV prevalence above 1%) between 2008-
considered to be cost effective even when the prior 2017:15 (See list on p.13)
likelihood of positivity is as low as 1 in 1000,16 so the • People who have travelled to countries of high
perceived risk does not have to be high in order to prevalence and engaged in risk behaviour/
test. exposure, especially unprotected sex with a
person not known to be HIV-negative
HIV testing is indicated in a number of contexts: • A health-care worker conducting exposure-prone
procedures. See section 7.1 of this policy, The
Behavioural and epidemiological indicators Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and
• Gay men and other men who have sex with men, in Control of Infection in Healthcare 2019 and the
accordance with the Australian Sexually Transmitted Communicable Diseases Network of Australia
Infection & HIV Testing Guidelines 2019: For (CDNA) policy on infected health care workers
asymptomatic men who have sex with men for more information. To meet CDNA guideline
• Transgender women and people who identify as requirements, testing of health-care workers
gender diverse who have sex with men should be performed in accredited laboratories.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Health-care workers should not perform or request
• People who inject drugs tests for themselves, including laboratory tests;
• People who have recently changed partners, who self-testing in any form does not meet CDNA
have multiple concurrent sex partners, or who testing requirements.
have had multiple partners since their last HIV test
• Sexual and injecting partners of all the above Clinical indicators
groups of people, including those coming forward • In the setting of contact tracing
following contact tracing and the sexual and • A patienti-initiated request to a health-care service
injecting partners of people known to be living with for an HIV test
HIV • Patients admitted with recreational drug-related
• A reported high-risk exposure, including: mental health conditions or mental health
unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner conditions leading to risk taking behaviour
whose HIV status is unknown or a person • Any patient admitted to a hospital with
diagnosed with HIV with a detectable viral load, methamphetamine-related illness because of the
the reported reuse of equipment used for skin high association of methamphetamine and related
penetration including for recreational drugs or stimulant use reported among people who acquire
cosmetic procedures such as tattooing or piercing HIV
• Individuals who report a history of incarceration • Pregnant women (retesting should occur if there is
testingportal.ashm.org.au 13

ongoing acquisition risk during pregnancy) intravenous drug users, and migrants from high
• People with particular medical conditions prevalence countries. The UK National Guidelines
(please see p.14 for a list of these indicators) for HIV Testing (2008) recommend universal HIV
• People who received a blood transfusion or blood testing in areas where the prevalence of HIV is
from overseas in a context where safety of the above a threshold of 2:1000.14
blood supply and other human-derived tissues • Some jurisdictions have implemented programs
may not be assured to screen individuals presenting to emergency
• An individual who reports having a reactive or departments with symptoms that may indicate
invalid result on an HIV point-of-care test, HIV self- HIV infection, such as fever of unknown origin
test or an HIV test performed overseas • The presence of any symptom or diagnosis
• In the context of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), which could be indicative of HIV infection (a so-
subject to national and jurisdictional guidelines called indicator condition*) when HIV would be
and policy 17
in the differential diagnosis as underlying such a
• As part of an initial and ongoing assessment condition, especially opportunistic infections, or
for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or in the impact the way a disease is managed (such as
management of a patient taking PrEP 18
tuberculosis [TB], or in a condition which shares a
• HIV testing should be recommended in clinic- transmission route with HIV, such as any sexually
based settings servicing groups of known high transmissible infections [STI], hepatitis B [HBV] or
HIV prevalence e.g. men who have sex with men, hepatitis C [HCV]). See list on p.14.

List 1. HIV prevalence countries (national HIV prevalence above 1%) between 2008-2017

Sub-Saharan Africa

Angola Djibouti Lesotho South Africa

Benin Ethiopia Liberia Swaziland
Botswana Equatorial Guinea Malawi Tanzania
Burkina Faso Gabon Mali Togo
Burundi Gambia Mozambique Uganda
Cameroon Ghana Namibia Zambia
Central African Republic Guinea Nigeria Zimbabwe
Chad Guinea-Bissau Rwanda
Republic of the Congo Kenya Sierra Leone

Americas Eastern Europe North Africa Southeast Asia

Bahamas Russian Federation South Sudan Thailand

Barbados Ukraine
Dominican Republic
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Panama
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
14 National
NationalHIV
HIVTesting
TestingPolicy
Policyv1.5
v1.5

Table 1. Indicator conditions for HIV testing

AIDS-defining conditions Other conditions where HIV testing should be offered

Sexually transmissible infections Gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, or

any other sexually transmissible infection

Respiratory infections Tuberculosis Aspergillosis

Pneumocystis
Recurrent bacterial
pneumonia

Neurological diseases Cerebral toxoplasmosis Aseptic meningitis/encephalitis

Primary cerebral lymphoma Cerebral abscess
Cryptococcal meningitis Space occupying lesion of unknown cause
Progressive multi-focal Guillain–Barré syndrome
leukoencephalopathy Transverse myelitis
Peripheral neuropathy
Dementia
Leukoencephalopathy

Dermatological diseases Kaposi sarcoma Severe or recalcitrant seborrhoeic dermatitis

Severe or recalcitrant psoriasis
Multi-dermatomal or recurrent herpes zoster (shingles)

Gastroenterological diseases Persistent cryptosporidiosis Chronic oral candidiasis

Oesophageal candidiasis Oral hairy leukoplakia
Chronic diarrhoea of unknown cause
Weight loss of unknown cause Nontyphoidal salmonella
(bacteraemia, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis), recurrent
enteric salmonellosis, shigellosis or campylobacter
Hepatitis B infection
Hepatitis C infection

Oncology Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Anal cancer or high grade anal squamous intraepithelial lesion
Penile cancer
Seminoma
Human papillomavirus-related head and neck cancer
Hodgkin lymphoma
Castleman disease

Gynaecology Cervical cancer Vaginal, vulval or cervical or high-grade intraepithelial lesion

Any unexplained blood dyscrasia including:

Haematology • thrombocytopenia
• neutropenia
• lymphopenia

Ophthalmology Cytomegalovirus retinitis Infective retinal diseases including herpesviruses and

toxoplasma

Ear, Nose and Throat Lymphadenopathy of unknown cause

Chronic parotitis
Lymphoepithelial parotid cysts

Other Mononucleosis-like syndrome (primary HIV infection)

Pyrexia of unknown origin
Any lymphadenopathy of unknown cause
Any sexually transmissible infection
testingportal.ashm.org.au 15

* Clinical indicator diseases for adult HIV infection diseases and raise greater awareness among
(adapted from UK National Guidelines for HIV clinicians treating diseases that might suggest HIV.
Testing 2008) See section 3.0 Indications for HIV Testing for a list of
HIV indicator conditions.
i
For ease of reading, the term ‘patient’ is used
throughout this document to refer to the person Where feasible during service planning or revisions,
being tested and should be read interchangeably electronic clinician support tools should be
with the term ‘client’. automated to prompt testing when indicators for
HIV arise.
3.1 Normalisation of HIV testing
Although HIV-related stigma and discrimination still 3.3 Patient-initiated testing in the absence
exists in many settings, treatment for HIV is highly of indications
effective. With treatment, people living with HIV can A small number of people will request a test but
expect a normal or near-normal life expectancy. will not disclose risk factors. In this case, a person’s
Failure to diagnose HIV can result in serious illness preference not to disclose risk factors should be
and onward transmission to others. HIV testing respected and HIV testing should be conducted.
should be offered in conjunction with STI and
viral hepatitis screening to all patients who have 3.4 Testing in the context of contact tracing
had any risk exposure such as partner change or Individuals may seek testing because they have
injecting drug use, and identification of a new clinical been contacted as a person who may have been at
indicator condition (as defined in Table 1, located on risk of exposure to HIV. Most facilities conducting
p.14). The absence of an identified epidemiological contact tracing establish a communication wall
or behavioural risk factor should not preclude HIV between the identity of the source patient and the
testing in appropriate clinical circumstances (see the contact (see also section 5.1 Contact tracing and
previous section 3.0 Indications for HIV Testing for a partner notification).
list of HIV indicator conditions). Obtaining a detailed
history is not a prerequisite for testing, especially These patients are a priority for testing and should
in the context of an individual request to be tested be afforded prompt access to testing. They may be
or another clear indication for testing such as the unaware of their potential exposure and may have
presence of an indicator condition. HIV testing additional needs for counselling and information.
should be routinely offered to pregnant women as They should be tested using a standard laboratory
part of the suite of screening tests performed in the test in addition to any point-of-care test.
first antenatal visit.
3.5 HIV testing in the context of research
3.2 Indicator triggered testing There may be circumstances where, on public health
Inclusion of HIV in a differential diagnosis of a grounds (e.g. prevalence studies), anonymous
number of clinical conditions will help normalise delinked testing is legitimately performed in
HIV testing. All attempts should be made to access accordance with this policy. Such testing should
existing clinical data to facilitate the identification occur only where there is compelling scientific
of HIV in those people with HIV infection who are justification, and ethical and administrative approval
undiagnosed. (see section 6.0 Surveillance and Research). Those
responsible for the project should consider making
The use of pathology results or hospital admission test results available on a confidential basis to
data should be considered to identify indicator participants who wish to receive their results. These
16 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

studies must be independently judged by an ethics directed under a public health order, or as authorised
committee constituted in accordance with the under legislation (e.g. in the context of a forensic
National Health and Medical Research Council’s or coronial inquiry, or under legislation in some
(NHMRC) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in jurisdictions that allows for forced testing of
Human Research. individuals accused of certain offences). While
mandatory or compulsory testing may be performed
HIV prevalence studies conducted before 2010 with in some situations, the World Health Organization
gay and bisexual men in Australia found high levels (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on
of undiagnosed HIV (20-31%) but could not provide HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) do not support mandatory or
test results to participants because they took part compulsory testing of individuals on public health
anonymously.19,20 More recent community-based grounds.25
prevalence studies have given participants the
choice of receiving their test results, consistent with The processes involved in securing a sample and
ethical obligations and international guidelines. 21,22
conveying an HIV test result, in the context of
mandatory and compulsory testing, should be in
Recent prevalence studies with gay and bisexual accordance with the relevant enabling legislation
men have found declining levels of undiagnosed HIV and the principles in this policy and basic human
(< 10%) but have experienced difficulty in recruiting rights pertaining to privacy of health information
participants due to increasing levels of HIV testing to the extent these rights do not contradict
and PrEP use in the population. 20,23,24
International existing legislation. Situations deemed necessary
guidelines suggest that bio-behavioural prevalence to impose mandatory or compulsory screening
studies should only be conducted in populations should be closely scrutinised from an evidence-
with the highest HIV prevalence, with a minimum based perspective on a regular basis to ensure that
sample size of 500, and these studies should decision-making guidelines are adequate, and that
provide results quickly to participants. 21
the breach of the principle that testing be voluntary
is still warranted. There may be an extra need for
3.6 Mandatory and compulsory screening psychosocial support for the person tested in such
and testing a circumstance. The decision to use a laboratory or
Mandatory screening refers to situations where non-laboratory-based test will be a decision for the
people may not participate in certain activities or agency requiring the test to be performed, based on
roles, or access certain services unless they agree any practical considerations (see section 7.5 Testing
to be screened. Circumstances in which mandatory in prisons). However, in situations where testing is
screening is currently required under separate policy being undertaken to exclude transmission of HIV,
or legislation include: the most sensitive available laboratory test (i.e.
• as a condition of blood, tissue and organ donation tests that directly detect the HIV virus) rather than
• as a mandatory part of the health requirement antibody tests such as antigen or nucleic acid tests,
assessment for specified visa subclasses would be recommended.
• as a condition for entering training or service in the
armed forces 3.7 Public health management of HIV
• as a condition for purchasing some types of The Communicable Diseases Network Australia
insurance. (CDNA) has produced a Series of National Guidelines
(SoNGs) on the public health management of HIV.
Compulsory testing refers to situations where The SoNGs outline management of individuals
a person has no choice in being tested, e.g. as with HIV infection and generally outline indications
testingportal.ashm.org.au 17

for testing: National Guidelines for Managing HIV 4.1 When informed consent cannot be
Transmission Risk Behaviours 2018. Individuals provided by the patient
identified as contacts of a source patient may Professional judgment should be exercised in
require special assistance as they may be unaware determining whether a person has capacity to
of their risk of exposure. SoNGs are endorsed make a decision to undergo an HIV test. In cases
by the Australian Health Protection Principal where the patient has an appointed guardian,
Committee (AHPPC) which provides advice consent must be obtained from that person. Where
and recommendations to the Australian Health no formal appointment has been made, consent
Ministerial Advisory Council. should be sought from another person or agency
legally authorised to make such decisions on behalf

4.0 of the patient, usually their partner (provided there

continues to be a relationship), carer or close relative
INFORMED CONSENT or friend. The potential impact of the test result on

FOR HIV TESTING the person being asked to provide consent needs to
be considered.
All pathology testing requires informed consent,
given verbally. Informed consent includes that the In an emergency situation, when no guardian or
person being tested understands: appropriate person can be identified, professional
• the type of test judgment should be used in requesting an HIV
• the reasons for testing test. See the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre matrix for the
• the potential implications of not being tested. hierarchy of responsibility in each jurisdiction.

Using their professional judgment, clinicians can:

• explain the testing procedure
5.0
• assess the person’s understanding of the HIV test CONVEYING HIV
results
TEST RESULTS
• inform the person being tested about how they
will get their results (note: clinicians should ensure The process of conveying an HIV test result to
that they confirm the patient’s phone number) the person who has been tested, irrespective of
the specific result, is affected by the type of test
See section 3.6 Mandatory and compulsory screening performed, the setting of the consultation and
and testing for rare occasions when a legal order testing, and the extent, if any, of additional testing
is made for compulsory testing or in emergency required to determine the person’s true HIV status.
settings. Examples are provided for reference in Appendixes B
and C. The site director and the person who requests
When offering testing to patients with low English the test are responsible for ensuring that appropriate
proficiency, clinicians who do not speak the mechanisms are in place for delivering the test
preferred language of the patient should use an result.
accredited interpreter obtain informed consent.
There are publicly funded health interpreting Community perceptions of HIV have changed
services available in most states and territories The over time as has the way people give and receive
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) information. Nevertheless, even for those familiar
is available to registered health services 24 hours a with HIV, a positive diagnosis of a lifelong condition
day. TEL: 1300 131 450. is a significant psychosocial event, in which some
18 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

people display symptoms consistent with post- jurisdiction and of the need for former partners to be
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 26,27,28
For people advised that they may have been at risk of exposure
visiting Australia and potentially returning to regions to HIV.
with poor access to treatment, a positive result
may understandably be received as a traumatic and Those conveying positive results are referred to the
life-threatening diagnosis. Aboriginal and Torres Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines and state
Strait Islander people and those from culturally and and territory policies on contact tracing. Practical
linguistically diverse backgrounds may experience assistance can be provided to the health-care
heightened difficulty in adjustment and linkage to provider and patients by ASHM, the local public health
services.29.30,31,32
These populations continue to climb unit or sexual health clinics. The details of the source
as a proportion of those diagnosed in Australia.15 patient must be treated confidentially, and the contact
must not be provided with the source patient’s name
Preferably a positive HIV test result should be given or details. It can be helpful for facilities performing
in person. However, current practice includes the contact tracing to create an information wall between
provision of test results over the phone, by email the person who gets information from the source
or phone text message (SMS), or via apps such patient and the person speaking to the contact. Site-
as Facetime, when it is considered appropriate. It specific approaches to contact tracing should be
is important for those performing the test to use included in standard operating procedures of facilities
professional judgment in deciding how results conducting HIV testing.
will be delivered. The decision should be based
on the understanding of the person being tested. 5.2 Confidentiality of HIV test results and
Counselling may be required by some individuals testing data
and should be offered to all receiving a positive Currently, pathology test results identified
diagnosis. Counselling should preferably be as sensitive are not sent to the Australian
undertaken by doctors or nurses experienced in MyHealthRecord. Such tests include HIV tests and
this area, or a trained allied health professional tests used to manage HIV infection (e.g. viral load,
e.g. psychologist, social worker or counsellor. The drug resistance); STIs; genomics tests; pregnancy-
National Standards for Psychological Support related tests in minors (under 16 years of age)
for Adults with HIV may be used as a guide. 33
drug and alcohol tests; ABO blood-typing paternity
Operational guidance on conveying positive HIV test group; MCS (genital) tests and autopsy test results.
results, negative HIV test results, and a decision- HIV results from a pathology laboratory will only
making flow chart, are provided for reference in be released to the requesting medical practitioner
Appendixes B, C and D. Arrangements can be or to the clinical service team responsible for the
made between services that are not experienced patient’s care and management. Confirmed HIV-
in delivering HIV positive results (e.g. Emergency positive results are also notified to the relevant
Departments) and sexual health services so that the jurisdictional health authority for the purpose of
sexual health service provides the result to the newly public health disease notification. However, some
diagnosed person; this facilitates testing within information that may be perceived as surrogate
inexperienced services. information about an individual’s serostatus, such
as pharmacy prescriptions, may be transmitted
5.1 Contact tracing and partner notification to MyHealthRecord. Subject to the arrangement
It is the responsibility of the person conveying a between the site and the reference laboratory,
positive HIV test result to ensure that the patient patient information may be shared between a
is aware of the legal obligations relevant to their specialist HIV physician, an s100 prescribing
testingportal.ashm.org.au 19

clinician or a sexual health service for the purpose including initiating contact tracing and assessment
of ensuring that a patient is informed of their test for treatment. These services can also facilitate the
result. Part of the informed consent process should collection of routine surveillance data, and act to
involve an explanation of how a patient can expect encourage the doctor to support the patient with
to receive their result. access to ongoing HIV management; counselling
on prevention; support for partner notification;
Services are responsible for the security of HIV psychosocial assessment and support; and linkage
testing data and should develop mechanisms to to other services.
restrict access to HIV pathology information in
the same manner that other health information is
protected. For example, there must be a security
6.0
hierarchy within the information systems to restrict SURVEILLANCE
access to this information to those individuals
AND RESEARCH
directly involved with the care of the patient, noting
that, with electronic medical record (EMR) systems Laboratories performing confirmatory testing
it is not possible to restrict access to health must notify the relevant state and territory health
information to those individuals directly involved authorities of any new positive laboratory diagnosis
with the treatment and care of an individual. This in accordance with the relevant legislation and
access is therefore managed by local codes of regulations.
conduct, privacy and health record confidentiality
legislation, and having EMR systems that include an Where information is available to identify and
audit trail, whereby a record is kept of every instance monitor rates of newly acquired HIV infection, this
of access to a medical record, who accessed the information should be reported to the local state or
record and the date and time of access. territory health authority as appropriate. Laboratory
evidence of acute or recent HIV infection is useful
It is reasonable to expect that pathology test results to monitor rates of incident HIV infection and to
are available on a patient’s record and that all staff evaluate interventions.
with a legitimate clinical reason have access to the
patient’s HIV test information, including the range of 6.1 Delinked blood surveys
non-HIV-related service staff who may be involved in Delinked anonymous surveys are studies in which
the patient’s health care. specimens taken for other purposes (e.g. the
neonatal heel prick specimen survey in 1989–90)
Any person involved in HIV testing must not disclose are tested for HIV infection without consent after
any personal or medical information about a patient they have been coded, so that the results cannot
to any other person, in accordance with privacy be linked back to the individual who originally
provisions. provided the specimen. The survey method should
be considered for Australian surveillance purposes
5.3 Assistance to doctors new to diagnosing HIV only where there is no other feasible method for
Some jurisdictions and ASHM provide assistance reasonably obtaining appropriate data. Surveys
to doctors who are unfamiliar with diagnosing must be subject to scientific justification and be
HIV. Assistance is most easily facilitated by the endorsed by an institutional ethics committee (IEC)
laboratory performing the HIV test. Services of in accordance with the requirements prescribed by
this nature support the diagnosing doctor and the NHMRC.
improve the immediate management of the patient,
20 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

6.2 Identity unlinked HIV testing The TGA can provide access to an unapproved
Research using identity unlinked HIV testing device through various exemption provisions.
can provide useful epidemiological data. In such Access to an unapproved device for use in research
studies, specimens used must be endorsed by an can be sought through a clinical trial exemption.
appropriate IEC in accordance with requirements
prescribed by the NHMRC (see section 3.5 HIV
testing in the context of surveillance).
7.0
TESTING IN SPECIFIC
6.3 Data linkage projects
POPULATIONS
An increasing amount of clinical data is becoming
available as a result of the development of
electronic data storage. Linkage projects tied 7.1 Health-care workers
to HIV notification data can provide timely and The CDNA has published updated guidelines which
relevant feedback on practice. Linkage to data include expert consensus in relation to health-care
including Medicare data, cancer registries, enhanced workers and their blood-borne virus (BBV) status.34,35
notification data and treatment and testing The 2018 guidelines state that all health-care
data must be endorsed by an appropriate IEC in workers should be aware of their BBV status and all
accordance with requirements prescribed by the health-care workers who perform exposure prone
NHMRC. For example, in NSW, the NSW Public procedures (EPPs) must take reasonable steps to
Health Act 2010 allows, and provides a framework know their BBV status and should be tested for BBVs
for, the linkage of HIV notification data to data from at least once every 3 years. Health-care workers who
some NSW Health administrative datasets including perform EPPs and assess their risk of exposure to
hospital admission data, death register data and be high should consider more frequent BBV testing.
emergency department data. Examples of EPPs can be found in the CDNA’s
information sheet Guidance on classification of
6.4 Use of stored blood for research on exposure prone and non-exposure prone procedures
diagnostic technologies in Australia. Additionally, all student health-care
Retrospective analysis of stored samples, workers should be aware of their BBV status and
particularly for the testing of new diagnostic should be offered testing at or before entry to their
technology or testing epidemiological hypotheses, course.33
must be conducted only on delinked or de-identified
samples or be subject to appropriate ethical review Any HIV testing done in the above context should
and be endorsed by an IEC in accordance with the be performed in accordance with this policy. Where
NHMRC. testing of a health-care worker is undertaken,
confidentiality is paramount and must be maintained.
6.5 Use of unregistered in-vitro diagnostic If a health-care worker who performs EPPs tests
medical devices (IVDs) positive for HIV infection, they must stop performing
Before its availability in Australia, any new testing these procedures immediately and seek specialist
technology or sample collection device must be advice.33 The CDNA’s guidelines (2018) provide very
approved by the TGA. However, IVDs not currently clear advice about the circumstances in which a
approved by the TGA (such as dried blood spot kits health-care worker who has been diagnosed with
and tests which use alternative sample types) may HIV can perform EPPs.33 If the health-care worker is
be required to be used in research. found to have HIV infection, adequate confidential
psychosocial support should be provided.
testingportal.ashm.org.au 21

To meet CDNA guideline requirements, testing Currently there are no HIV nucleic acid tests
of health-care workers should be performed in approved by the TGA for this purpose in Australia
accredited laboratories. Health-care workers and there is no MBS reimbursement. However,
should not perform or request tests on themselves, access to an unapproved device can be sought
including laboratory tests, and self-testing in any from the TGA through certain exemption provisions
form does not meet CDNA testing requirements. (Special Access Scheme).

7.2 Routine antenatal testing 7.4 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Antenatal HIV testing is recommended for all The 5th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
pregnant women and should be included as routine Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible
in tests associated with the first antenatal visit, in Infections Strategy 2018-2022 prioritises testing
line with the Department of Health Clinical Practice for and treatment of STIs (including HIV) through
Guidelines: Pregnancy Care (2019) and the Royal
36
annual, routine, systematic testing programs. Policies
Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and guidelines which respect confidentiality must
and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) guidelines which be developed locally so that health-care workers
state that, in the absence of complications, all are correctly advised, and health services generate
pregnant women should be recommended to have culturally appropriate policies and programs.
HIV screening at the first antenatal visit. The
37

woman should be informed about the tests being 7.5 Testing in prisons
performed, including HIV testing, as part of the Australian prisoners are at high risk of contracting
antenatal screen and should provide consent. blood-borne viruses, including HIV, arising from their
exposure to risks such as injecting drug use, sexual
Jurisdictions should develop operational directives risk behaviours, amateur tattooing, body piercing,
that support the RANZCOG guidelines through and violence resulting in injury. Offering HIV testing
education and feedback on adherence, and that allow to prisoners during incarceration has the potential
for periodic auditing of antenatal medical records to identify new cases of HIV infection, allowing for
to provide evidence that recommendations for best prevention education, appropriate assessment,
practice are being followed. These recommendations treatment and referral post release. Making HIV
should include a clear referral pathway for women testing available has clear benefits for the individual,
who are diagnosed with HIV so that they can be their sexual partners, those with whom they may
managed by appropriate specialist teams. share equipment for skin penetration (including
injecting equipment) and the wider community.
7.3 Testing of infants born to HIV-positive mothers
HIV testing with nucleic acid direct detection tests Australian prisoners should be able to access free,
(such as proviral DNA) of infants of women with HIV voluntary, confidential, timely, non-discriminatory HIV
infection should be performed within the first month testing, counselling and treatment services during
after birth in parallel with testing of the mother, so incarceration, in accordance with this policy. High and
that appropriate treatment interventions can be unpredictable rates of prisoner movement between
implemented quickly. Antibody tests are not helpful different correctional facilities and the community can
in this context due to the persistence of maternal create difficulty in ensuring engagement with care
antibodies in the infant for up to 18 months. after a positive diagnosis. As a result, offering the
Diagnosis of HIV infection in infants born to mothers use of point-of-care HIV testing in clinical practice in
with HIV infection is complex and expert advice prisons may increase testing rates and facilitate the
must be sought promptly. 38,39
timely and accurate diagnosis of HIV.
22 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

8.0 device. Funding for laboratory-based anti-HIV

screening assays (up to 4th generation tests) is
QUALITY ASSURANCE available as a rebate through the MBS. Confirmatory
OF IN-VITRO DIAGNOSTIC and supplementary tests used to confirm initial
MEDICAL DEVICES (IVDS) screening test reactivity (such as western blot) are

FOR HIV TESTING not funded. Currently, no tests performed outside

of accredited laboratories are eligible for MBS
rebate, including approved self-tests which are
8.1 Pre-market quality assurance of HIV IVDs purchased by the end user. States and territories
The TGA has regulatory responsibility for IVDs under and other jurisdictional organisations may negotiate
the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and its associated the purchase of tests and sample collection
regulations. The TGA has published guidance on devices which have been entered on the ARTG for
clinical performance requirements for HIV tests. use in their testing and public health programs.
Unregistered tests and sample collection devices
8.2 Post-market quality assurance of HIV IVDs can be used for research purposes in line with the
All diagnostic pathology laboratories performing HIV TGA conditions.
testing do so under medical testing accreditation
standards regulated by NATA and NPAAC standards In some situations, it may be appropriate to make
and guidelines. These accreditation standards set de-identified testing available free of charge to the
out requirements for internal and external quality individual being tested to ensure that individuals
assurance practices. In addition, sponsors (i.e. at high risk of HIV infection access and consent to
suppliers) of HIV tests have mandatory obligations testing.
to report adverse events that are associated with the
use or performance of the device to the TGA. The
TGA’s Incident Reporting and Investigation Scheme
(IRIS) manages all reports received by the TGA of
adverse events or problems associated with medical
devices including IVDs.

Users of HIV tests are also encouraged to report

adverse events, including any malfunction of the
test, to the TGA. Users can submit a report using the
Users Medical Device Incident Report which can be
accessed through the TGA website.

9.0
FUNDING OF
HIV TESTING
The MSAC is responsible for the determination of
any MBS reimbursement for any HIV laboratory,
rapid HIV test for use at point of care rapid HIV test
for self-testing, as well as any sample collection
testingportal.ashm.org.au 23
24 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

10.0
GLOSSARY
10.1 Abbreviations and acronyms

AHPPC Australian Health Protection Principal NATA National Association of Testing

Committee Authorities

ARTG Australian Register of Therapeutic NHMRC National Health and Medical

Goods Research Council

ASHM Australasian Society for HIV NPAAC National Pathology Accreditation

Medicine, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Advisory Council
Health Medicine
NRL National Serology Reference
BBV Blood-borne virus Laboratory, Australia

BBVSS Blood Borne Virus and Sexually PEP Post-exposure prophylaxis

Transmissible Infection Standing
PrEP Pre-exposure prophylaxis
Subcommittee
PWID People who inject drugs
CDNA Communicable Diseases Network
of Australia RANZCOG Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Obstetricians and
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
Gynaecologists
EMR Electronic medical record
RCPA Royal Australian and New Zealand
ERC Expert Reference Committee College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists
EPP Exposure prone procedure
RNA Ribonucleic acid
HBV Hepatitis B Virus
SoNG Series of National Guidelines
HCV Hepatitis C Virus
STI Sexually Transmissible Infection
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
TGA Therapeutic Goods Administration
IEC Institutional Ethics Committee

IVD In-Vitro Diagnostic Device

MBS Medicare Benefits Schedule

MSAC Medical Services Advisory

Committee

MSM Men who have sex with men

NAT Nucleic acid test

testingportal.ashm.org.au 25

10.2 Glossary
Compulsory Testing
Where a person has no choice in being tested, e.g.
as directed under a Public Health Order.

Exposure Prone Procedure

Defined by the Communicable Diseases Network
Australia’s national guidelines as a subset of
‘invasive procedures’ characterised by the potential
for direct contact between the skin (usually finger or
thumb) of the healthcare worker and sharp surgical
instruments, needles or sharp tissues (spicules of
bone or teeth) in body cavities or in poorly visualised
or confined body sites (including the mouth). In
the broader sense, an exposure-prone procedure
is considered to be any situation where there is a
potentially high risk of transmission of blood borne
disease from healthcare worker to patient during
medical or dental procedures.

Mandatory testing
Refers to situations where people may neither
participate in certain activities nor access certain
services unless they agree to be tested. Examples
of circumstances in which mandatory testing is
appropriate include before blood, tissue and organ
donation, and for immigration purposes.

Occupational exposure
An exposure that may place an employee at risk of
HIV, HBV or HCV infection through percutaneous
injury (e.g. a needlestick or cut with a sharp object,
contact of mucous membranes, or contact of skin
with blood, tissues or other potentially infectious
body fluids to which Universal Precautions apply).
26 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

11.0
12. NSW Government. Ministry of Health. NSW HIV Strategy
REFERENCES 2016-2020 Data Report. Quarter 4 and Annual 2017
Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health; 2018.
13. Fisher M, Wayal S, Smith H, et al. Home sampling for
sexually transmitted infections and HIV in men who have
sex with men: a prospective observational study. PLoS
1. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
ONE 2015;10:e0120810.
Global HIV & AIDS Statistics – 2019 Fact Sheet; 2019.
14. van Loo IHM, Dukers-Muijrers NHTM, Heuts R, et al.
Available at: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-
Screening for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis on dried blood
sheet (last accessed 20 April 2020).
spots: A promising method to better reach hidden high-
2. Kirby Institute. Australian National HIV Surveillance Data
risk populations with self-collected sampling. PLoS ONE
2019. 2020. Available at: https://data.kirby.unsw.edu.au/
2017;12:e0186722.
hiv (last accessed 20 April 2020).
15. The Kirby Institute. HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually
3. Kirby Institute. HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually
transmissible infections in Australia: annual surveillance
transmissible infections in Australia: annual surveillance
report 2018. Sydney: Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney; 2018.
report 2018. Sydney: Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney; 2018.
Available at: https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/report/hiv-viral-
Available at: https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/
hepatitis-and-sexually-transmissible-infections-australia-
kirby/report/KI_Annual-Surveillance-Report-2018.pdf (last
annual-surveillance (last accessed 19 July 2019).
accessed 20 April 2020)
16. Walensky RP, Weinstein MC, Kimmel AD, Seage III GR,
4. World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines on hepatitis
Losina E, Sax PE, et al. Routine human immunodeficiency
B and C testing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017.
virus testing: an economic evaluation of current guidelines.
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
The American journal of Medicine 2005;118(3):292-300.
5. Australian Government. Attorney-General’s Department.
17. Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual
Australia’s anti-discrimination law [internet]. Available
Health Medicine (ASHM). Post-exposure prophylaxis
at: https://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtections/
after non-occupational and occupational exposure to HIV.
HumanRights/Pages/Australias-Anti-Discrimination-Law.
Australian National Guidelines (second edition). August
aspx (last accessed 19 July 2019).
2016. Available at: https://www.ashm.org.au/HIV/PEP/
6. Australasian Society for HIV Viral Hepatitis and Sexual
(last accessed 19 July 2019).
Health Medicine. Guide to Australian HIV Laws and
18. Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual
Policies for Healthcare Professionals. Available at: https://
Health Medicine (ASHM). HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis:
hivlegal.ashm.org.au/safe-behaviours-and-disclosure/
clinical guidelines. Update April 2018. Available at: http://
(last accessed 12 February 2020).
viruseradication.com/journal-details/Australasian_
7. Australian Government. Department of Health. Pathology
Society_for_HIV,_Viral_Hepatitis_and_Sexual_Health_
under Medicare [internet]. Available at: http://www.health.
Medicine_HIV_pre-exposure_prophylaxis:_clinical_
gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-
guidelines._Update_April_2018/
pathology-aboutus-index.htm (last accessed 19 July
(last accessed 19 July 2019).
2019).
19. Birrell F, Staunton S, Debattista J, et al. Pilot of non-
8. Keen P, Conway DP, Cunningham P, et al. Multi-centre
invasive (oral fluid) testing for HIV within a community
field evaluation of the performance of the Trinity Biotech
setting. Sex Health 2010;7:11-16.
Uni-Gold HIV 1/2 rapid test as a first-line screening assay
20. Pedrana AE, Hellard ME, Wilson K, et al. High rates of
for gay and bisexual men compared with 4th generation
undiagnosed HIV infections in a community sample of gay
laboratory immunoassays. J Clin Virol 2017;86:46-51.
men in Melbourne, Australia. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
9. Conway DP, Holt M, McNulty A, et al. Sydney Rapid HIV
2012;59:94-9.
Test Study. Multi-centre evaluation of the Determine HIV
21. Holt M, Lea T, Asselin J, et al. The prevalence and
Combo assay when used for point of care testing in a high
correlates of undiagnosed HIV among Australian gay and
risk clinic-based population. PLoS One 2014;9:e94062.
bisexual men: results of a national, community-based, bio-
10. Krause J, Subklew-Sehume F, Kenyon C, et al.
behavioural survey. J Int AIDS Soc 2015;18:20526.
Acceptability of HIV self-testing: a systematic literature
22. World Health Organization. Biobehavioral survey
review. BMC Public Health 2013;13:735-43.
guidelines for populations at risk for HIV. Geneva: World
11. Jamil MS, Prestage G, Fairley CK, et al. Effect of availability
Health Organization; 2017.
of HIV self-testing on HIV testing frequency in gay
23. Stoové M, Asselin J, Pedrana A, et al. Declining prevalence
and bisexual men at high risk of infection (FORTH):
of undiagnosed HIV in Melbourne: results from
a waiting-list randomised controlled trial. Lancet HIV
community-based bio-behavioural studies of gay and
2017;4:e241-e250.
bisexual men. Aust N Z J Public Health 2017;42:57-61.
testingportal.ashm.org.au 27

24. Keen P, Lee E, Grulich A, et al. on behalf of the NSW HIV 36. Australian Government. Department of Health. Pregnancy
Prevention Partnership Project Sustained, low prevalence Care Guidelines. 33 Human immunodeficiency virus
of undiagnosed HIV among gay and bisexual men in [internet]. Updated 17 May 2019. Available at: https://www.
Sydney, NSW coincident with increased testing and PrEP health.gov.au/resources/pregnancy-care-guidelines/part-
use: results from repeated, bio-behavioural studies. JIADS. f-routine-maternal-health-tests/human-immunodeficiency-
2020. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002451 virus (last accessed 9 January 2020).
25. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). 37. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians
WHO, UNAIDS statement on HIV testing services: and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Routine antenatal
new opportunities and ongoing challenges. 2017. assessment in the absence of pregnancy complications.
Available at: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/ Updated November 2019. Available at: https://ranzcog.
media_asset/2017_WHO-UNAIDS_statement_HIV-testing- edu.au/RANZCOG_SITE/media/RANZCOG-MEDIA/
services_en.pdf (last accessed 6 January 2020). Women%27s%20Health/Statement%20and%20guidelines/
26. Dr Elizabeth Woodcock & Associates. Clinical Clinical-Obstetrics/Routine-antenatal-assessment-in-
psychologists, Sydney [website]. HIV, AIDS, hep C and the-absence-of-pregnancy-complications-(C-Obs-3b)_2.
psychological issues [internet] 2014-15. Available at: http:// pdf?ext=.pdf (last accessed 5 January 2020).
www.woodcockpsychology.com.au/hiv-aids-hep-c-and- 38. Sydney Children’s Hospital. Paediatric HIV Service.
psychological-issues/ (last accessed 19 July 2019). Antenatal screening for HIV: information for health
27. Sherr L, Nagra N, Kulubya G, et al. HIV infection associated professionals. December 2011. Available at: http://
post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth – testingportal.ashm.org.au/library/item/antenatal-
a systematic review. Psychol Health Med 2011;16:612–29. screening-for-hiv-information-for-health-professionals (last
28. Theuninck AC, Lake N, Gibson S. HIV-related posttraumatic accessed 19 July 2019).
stress disorder: investigating the traumatic events. AIDS 39. NSW Government. Ministry of Health. The NSW
Patient Care STDS 2010;24:485–91. Framework and Standard Operating Procedure for HIV
29. McNally S, Dutertre S. Access to HIV prevention Point of Care Testing. GL2019_010. Available at: https://
information among selected culturally and linguistically www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/ActivePDSDocuments/
diverse (CALD) communities in Victoria. La Trobe GL2019_010.pdf (last accessed 8 January 2020).
University, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and
Society. Melbourne: Latrobe University; 2006.
30. Saha S, Sanders DS, Korthuis PT, et al. The role of cultural
distance between patient and provider in explaining
racial/ethnic disparities in HIV care. Patient Educ Couns
2011;85:e278–84.
31. Newman CE, Bonar M, Greville HS, et al. Barriers and
incentives to HIV treatment uptake among Aboriginal
people in Western Australia. AIDS 2007;21:S13–S17.
32. Ward JS, Hawke K, Guy RJ. Priorities for preventing a
concentrated HIV epidemic among Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Australians. Med J Aust 2018;209:56.
33. Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual
Health Medicine (ASHM). The Australian standards
for psychological support for adults with HIV. 2017.
Available at: https://www.ashm.org.au/products/
product/9781920773717 (last accessed 19 July 2019).
34. Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA).
Australian national guidelines for the management
of healthcare workers living with blood borne viruses
and healthcare workers who perform exposure prone
procedures at risk of exposure to blood borne viruses.
Canberra: CDNA; 2018.
35. Australian Government. Department of Health.Therapeutic
Drugs Administration. Clinical performance requirements
and risk mitigation strategies for HIV tests. Version
1.0, March 2015. Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au/
publication/clinical-performance-requirements-and-risk-
mitigation-strategies-hiv-tests (last accessed 19 July 2019).
28 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

APPENDIX A
HIV Testing Policy Expert Reference Committee

1. Terms of Reference
The Expert Reference Committee (ERC) meets The ERC provides background information to
from time to time to review the National HIV jurisdictions and the Commonwealth, the Blood
Testing Policy and to consider what action might be Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections
necessary to improve quality, uptake and regulation Standing Committee (BBVSS) of the Australian
of HIV testing in Australia. Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC),
regulatory and other advisory bodies.
The ERC brings together all parties with an interest
in HIV testing and provides a forum for discussion The ERC provides a voice to raise issues relating to
of policy matters raised by third parties in relation HIV testing with test providers, pathology companies
to HIV testing. It acts as a forum for identification of and others.
barriers and impediments to accessing HIV testing
and provides a sounding board for the exploration Members are requested to participate in the ERC on
of how these barriers and impediments might be a voluntary basis. No sitting fees are provided.
removed.

2. Membership and secretariat

(Name, position, organisation, affiliation with ERC)

Philip Cunningham Cathy Pell

Chief Operating Officer Sexual Health Physician and GP HIV s100 Prescriber
NSW State Reference Laboratory for HIV, Taylor Square Private Clinic
Centre for Applied Medical Research, St George Sexual Health Clinic
St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney Clinician representative
Co-Chair
Chris Lemoh
Phillip Keen Infectious Diseases Physician
Coordinator of the NSW HIV Prevention Partnership Project Monash Health (infectious diseases, general medicine and refugee health)
The Kirby Institute, UNSW President
Co-Chair Victorian African Health Action Network
Invited member
Aaron Cogle
Executive Director Cherie Power
National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) Senior Policy Analyst
NAPWHA representative Centre for Population Health, NSW Health
NSW Health representative
Andrew Grulich
Professor and Program Head Darren Russell
The Kirby Institute, UNSW Director
Kirby Institute representative Cairns Sexual Health Service
Invited member
Brendan Crozier
Clinical Psychologist and Allied Health Unit Manager Heath Paynter
Sydney Sexual Health Centre Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Sexual Health Counsellors’ Association of NSW representative Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO)
AFAO representative
testingportal.ashm.org.au 29

Ian Woolley Nicholas Medland

Infectious Diseases Physician Consultant Sexual Health Physician
Monash Health Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
Monash University Invited member
The Alfred Hospital
Invited member Philippa Hetzel
Director
Jeffrey Post National (Serology) Reference Laboratory, Australia (NRL)
Infectious Diseases Physician NRL representative
Prince of Wales Hospital
The Albion Centre Rebecca Guy
Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Service, NSW Professor and Program Head
Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW The Kirby Institute, UNSW
Invited member Kirby Institute representative

Jules Kim Rebecca Newton

Chief Executive Officer Director
Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association Blood Borne Viruses, STI and Torres Strait Health Policy Section,
Scarlet Alliance representative Office of Health Protection
WA Department of Health and BBVSS representative
Kate Bath
HIV Programs Manager Roger Garsia
Australasian Society for HIV, Pathologist and Immunologist
Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) Immunology Laboratory, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
ASHM representative Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney
Invited member
Kirsteen Fleming
State Nurse Coordinator Ronald McCoy
Family Planning NSW Senior Medical Educator
Australasian Sexual Health and HIV Nurses Association Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
(ASHHNA) representative RACGP representative

Lisa Bastian Sharon Lewin

Manager Director
Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program, Peter Doherty Institute
Communicable Disease Control Directorate Public Invited Member
and Aboriginal Health Division, WA Department of Health
WA Department of Health representative Vickie Knight
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Louise Owen Sydney Sexual Health Centre
Director, and Sexual Health Physician Australasian Sexual Health and
State-wide Sexual Health Services, Tasmania HIV Nurses Association (ASHHNA) representative
Vice President
Australasian Society for HIV, William Rawlinson
Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) Senior Medical Virologist Director of Serology, Virology and Organ
ASHM Board representative and Tissue Donation Services (OTDS) Laboratories (SAViD)
NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital
Martin Holt Public Health Laboratory Network representative
Professor
Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Liagh Manicom
Invited member HIV Project Officer
Australasian Society for HIV,
Melissa Kelly Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM)
Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine Secretariat
The Albion Centre
Invited member

Michelle McNiven
Director, IVD Reforms
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
TGA representative
30 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

APPENDIX B the phone where a patient has declined to re-attend

the clinic quickly. Practitioners should use clinical
Conveying Positive HIV Test Results. discretion balancing the risk of not conveying test
Features of a Good Diagnosis: results when considering alternate communication
a guide for health practitioners methods.

Summary: Conveying a confirmed positive result –

A brief guide for health practitioners when conveying in the context of conventional testing
an HIV positive result, including when encountering A positive test result has significant implications for
challenging cases. an individual and their clinician. A positive result may
result in considerable distress for an individual.
The process of conveying an HIV test result to the
person being tested, irrespective of the specific The discussion when conveying a positive result
result, is affected by the type of test performed, the should include:
setting of the consultation and testing and extent, • giving the test result in person and in a manner
if any, of additional testing required to determine that is sensitive and appropriate to the gender,
the true HIV status of the person. The person who culture, behaviour and language of the person who
requests the test is responsible for ensuring that has been tested
appropriate mechanisms are in place for delivering • providing information about HIV infection and the
the test results. benefits of early treatment to prevent illness and
reduce the risk of transmission to others.
Some laboratories provide information for • providing an opportunity to immediately
the diagnosing practitioner to contact a more commence the patient on treatment if at an HIV
experienced clinician to discuss the procedure of service or rapid referral to such a service
giving a positive test result at the time the results • providing contact tracing and partner notification
of confirmatory testing are forwarded. Following strategies, and whether there are any recent
notification by a laboratory of an HIV-positive test contacts of the person (within 72 hours of sexual
result, practitioners in New South Wales (NSW) will contact) who would benefit from HIV post-
receive support from officers of the NSW Ministry of exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Health to assist in this process, and referral of the • assessing support mechanisms of the person and
patient to specialist care if required. Any practitioner offering immediate referral to a support agency,
can use the resources listed below if they require or information to facilitate access at the person’s
support in this situation. discretion
• arranging appropriate referral for HIV-specific
The first step to take before delivering an HIV- medical care
positive result is to check that the result has been • discussing legal obligations relevant to the local
confirmed as a true positive on confirmatory testing jurisdiction about disclosure of HIV status (see
by a reference laboratory. Check with the laboratory ASHM’s Guide to Australian HIV Laws and Policies
if you are unsure if this has occurred. for Healthcare Professionals)
• discussing transmission of HIV and how onward
A positive result should ideally be provided in person transmission may be prevented, including pre-
by asking the patient to return for the result as exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-negative
soon as possible. Some sexual health clinics have partners
recently commenced delivering positive results over • offering a timely follow up appointment.
testingportal.ashm.org.au 31

People who are given a new diagnosis often The RACGP Standards for General Practices
have difficulty absorbing information in the initial provides guidelines for follow-up of pathology
consultation. It is usually necessary to cover the results that should be referred to.
issues above over a period of time and subsequent
consultation, or referral to specialist care should be Post-mortem testing
offered in a timely manner at the time of diagnosis. HIV tests are not standardised in the post-mortem
setting. A pathologist undertaking HIV testing as
Challenging cases part of the process of a coronial examination or
Indeterminate results other post-mortem examination is responsible for
A small number of patients will have indeterminate ensuring that the other provisions of this policy
results with conventional testing, where the are adhered to, including notification and contact
presence or absence of infection is not established. tracing. Mortuary staff may need assistance
Such a result may represent infection that cannot in approaching contact tracing and this can be
be definitively diagnosed at the point in time the test provided by public health units and sexual health
was performed or may represent non-specific test clinics.
reactivity.

Patients unconvinced by a negative or

positive result
Patients who fall into this category can be time
consuming and may have psychological issues
that need to be addressed. Assistance in dealing
with these patients can be obtained from specialist
services and the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral
Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine who can offer
help to refer a patient in this predicament to an
alternative service for a second opinion.

Patients who do not return for positive test results

These patients can place others at risk if they
do not know their status. It is important to try to
actively contact these patients. Clinicians should
use discretion when relaying results by phone to the
individual or in written correspondence. The request
should be for the individual to re-contact the testing
service.

The decision to stop trying to follow up a patient

can be a difficult one. Attempts to contact patients
should be documented in the patient’s file. General
practice, in particular, may have limited capacity to
perform patient follow-up and general practitioners
should pass this responsibility to the local public
health unit if they have exhausted their resources.
32 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

APPENDIX C It is imperative that the clinician makes all attempts

to ensure that the result is being provided to the
Conveying Negative HIV Test Results. person who was tested e.g. in person, phone and
Features of a Good Diagnosis SMS.

Summary: It is imperative to recheck that the person

A brief guide for health professionals when providing understands the duration of the window period of
a negative HIV result. the test performed and the implications this has for
that person. It is wise to recheck the risk history at
The process of conveying an HIV test result to the the time the result is provided.
person being tested, irrespective of the specific
result, is affected by the type of test performed, It is important to give advice about the need for
the setting of the consultation and testing and further testing in light of the person’s risk history
the extent, if any, of additional testing required to within the window period and ongoing risk of
determine the true HIV status of the person. The acquiring HIV infection.
person who requests the test is responsible for
ensuring that appropriate mechanisms are in place It is an opportunity to discuss and reinforce safer
for delivering the test result. sex practices.

The window period will be determined by the

type of test used. More advanced HIV tests can
detect infection sooner than others, however not
all jurisdictions currently use the more advanced
technology. It is important that a practitioner
delivering a test result is aware of what test is being
used and how soon after infection it can detect
infection. If they do not have that information, then
a window period of 3 months should be used.
Alternatively, the practitioner could contact the
testing laboratory pathologist for window period
information on their test type.

Conveying an HIV-negative result

The decision on how an HIV-negative test result is
provided (e.g. in person, by phone, or other means)
will be based on the clinical judgment of the person
responsible for conveying the test result. This
decision should take account the level of knowledge
about HIV, the understanding of the testing process
and psychological capacity to deal with the outcome
of testing of the person being tested, as assessed at
the time of sample collection.
testingportal.ashm.org.au 33

APPENDIX D
Decision-making in HIV

DECISION-MAKING IN HIV
HIV
STEP 1 Could it be HIV? STEP 2 Informed consent and testing STEP 3 Conveying test results

WHO TO TEST BEFORE TESTING ORDER HIV Ag/Ab IF HIV POSITIVE

www.testingportal.ashm.org.au/hiv ASSESS RISK: ask about previous GIVE POSITIVE TEST RESULTS
‘Window Period’: is generally up to
history of testing, sexual, injecting IN PERSON
6 weeks (may be up to 12 weeks
• Patients who request and travel histories, testing for Listen and respond to patient needs
depending on the test used) from
testing other STIs an exposure and can give a false Avoid information overload
• Patients with another EVALUATE: patient’s general negative test result.
STI or BBV Check immediate plans, supports and
psychological state and social available services (e.g. www.napwa.org.au)
Initial positive HIV antibody or HIV
• People at risk (see below) supports
antigen/antibody test results are Arrange other tests if appropriate
particularly if they have
automatically sent to a reference (see monitoring) and arrange a
had a flu like illness
laboratory for confirmation. CONVEY specialist appointment
• Pregnant women GAINING INFORMED CONSENT TEST RESULTS REFER
www.testingportal.ashm.org.au/hiv The laboratory will contact the Make a follow up appointment (GP)
• People diagnosed (which should be within the next few
GP if initial tests are positive.
with tuberculosis days) to review how the patient is coping
Discussion should be The pathologist will answer any
• Patients with unexplained appropriate to the person’s questions at this stage and also Advise safe practices and condom use
immunosuppression gender, culture, language, advise if more blood needs to Contact tracing is the responsibility
behaviour and risk factors. be drawn. of the diagnosing doctor. If assistance
DISCUSS: the patient’s reason for Make arrangements for giving is needed, talk to the specialist service
PEOPLE AT RISK
testing, testing procedure, window results: check contact details about how best to proceed.
• Men who have sex period, transmission, prevention are up to date. (http://contacttracing.ashm.org.au)
with men (MSM)
TALK ABOUT: confidentiality and
• Sexual partners of
privacy issues around testing, IF HIV NEGATIVE
HIV infected people
implications of positive and A NEGATIVE RESULT IS AN
• People from a country negative test results
with high HIV prevalence OPPORTUNITY FOR PREVENTIVE
CONVEY EDUCATION
• Sexually active overseas RESULTS Recommendations for follow up
travellers
POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP) is the use of HIV antiretroviral medication testing can be discussed.
• People who share (ART) after possible exposure to HIV. PEP must be commence ASAP after exposure HIV transmission can be prevented by:
injecting equipment (within 72 hours) and taken daily for 28 days. • Using condoms during sexual contact
PRE EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP) is the use of HIV antiretroviral medication (ART) • Avoiding contact with infected blood
before possible exposure to HIV. People with ongoing risk of HIV exposure can take (using clean injecting equipment)
daily ART to reduced possible infection. PEP and PrEP can be accessed through sexual • PrEP refer for discussion if at ongoing,
health clinics and specialised GPs. PEP can also be provided by emergency departments. high risk
• PEP

www.ashm.org.au
For further details on testing, see the National HIV Testing Policy 2011, available at www.testingportal.ashm.org.au/hiv
34 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5

APPENDIX D
Decision-making in HIV

DECISION-MAKING IN HIV
HIV
STEP 1 Could it be HIV? STEP 2 Informed consent and testing STEP 3 Conveying test results

WHO TO TEST BEFORE TESTING ORDER HIV Ag/Ab IF HIV POSITIVE

www.testingportal.ashm.org.au/hiv ASSESS RISK: ask about previous GIVE POSITIVE TEST RESULTS
‘Window Period’: is generally up to
history of testing, sexual, injecting IN PERSON
6 weeks (may be up to 12 weeks
• Patients who request and travel histories, testing for Listen and respond to patient needs
depending on the test used) from
testing other STIs an exposure and can give a false Avoid information overload
• Patients with another EVALUATE: patient’s general negative test result.
STI or BBV Check immediate plans, supports and
psychological state and social available services (e.g. www.napwa.org.au)
Initial positive HIV antibody or HIV
• People at risk (see below) supports
antigen/antibody test results are Arrange other tests if appropriate
particularly if they have
automatically sent to a reference (see monitoring) and arrange a
had a flu like illness
laboratory for confirmation. CONVEY specialist appointment
• Pregnant women GAINING INFORMED CONSENT TEST RESULTS REFER
www.testingportal.ashm.org.au/hiv The laboratory will contact the Make a follow up appointment (GP)
• People diagnosed (which should be within the next few
GP if initial tests are positive.
with tuberculosis days) to review how the patient is coping
Discussion should be The pathologist will answer any
• Patients with unexplained appropriate to the person’s questions at this stage and also Advise safe practices and condom use
immunosuppression gender, culture, language, advise if more blood needs to Contact tracing is the responsibility
behaviour and risk factors. be drawn. of the diagnosing doctor. If assistance
DISCUSS: the patient’s reason for Make arrangements for giving is needed, talk to the specialist service
PEOPLE AT RISK
testing, testing procedure, window results: check contact details about how best to proceed.
• Men who have sex period, transmission, prevention are up to date. (http://contacttracing.ashm.org.au)
with men (MSM)
TALK ABOUT: confidentiality and
• Sexual partners of
privacy issues around testing, IF HIV NEGATIVE
HIV infected people
implications of positive and A NEGATIVE RESULT IS AN
• People from a country negative test results
with high HIV prevalence OPPORTUNITY FOR PREVENTIVE
CONVEY EDUCATION
• Sexually active overseas RESULTS Recommendations for follow up
travellers
POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP) is the use of HIV antiretroviral medication testing can be discussed.
• People who share (ART) after possible exposure to HIV. PEP must be commence ASAP after exposure HIV transmission can be prevented by:
injecting equipment (within 72 hours) and taken daily for 28 days. • Using condoms during sexual contact
PRE EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP) is the use of HIV antiretroviral medication (ART) • Avoiding contact with infected blood
before possible exposure to HIV. People with ongoing risk of HIV exposure can take (using clean injecting equipment)
daily ART to reduced possible infection. PEP and PrEP can be accessed through sexual • PrEP refer for discussion if at ongoing,
health clinics and specialised GPs. PEP can also be provided by emergency departments. high risk
• PEP

www.ashm.org.au
For further details on testing, see the National HIV Testing Policy 2011, available at www.testingportal.ashm.org.au/hiv
testingportal.ashm.org.au 35
36 National HIV Testing Policy v1.5