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PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is one of the most effective ways to prevent HIV. Taken as prescribed, it greatly lowers the chance of getting HIV through sex. In Australia, PrEP is PBS-listed and any GP can prescribe it, so getting started is simpler than many people expect.
This guide explains how to get PrEP in Australia, step by step: who it’s for, the tests you need, what it costs, and how to get it online through a telehealth doctor.
Who can get PrEP in Australia?
Australian guidelines recommend PrEP for anyone at risk of HIV. That includes gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, trans and gender-diverse people, heterosexual men and women, and people who inject drugs. You might benefit from PrEP if, in the last few months, you have:
- had condomless sex with a partner whose HIV status you don’t know, or who has HIV and isn’t on effective treatment
- been diagnosed with an STI such as syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia
- used drugs such as methamphetamine during sex
- shared injecting equipment
You don’t need to fit a category exactly. If you feel PrEP would give you peace of mind, that’s a good reason to talk to a doctor about it.
How to get PrEP in Australia: step by step
- See a doctor. You can see your regular GP, a sexual health clinic, or a telehealth doctor. With PrEP online through STI Doctor, you speak to an Australian doctor by phone or video, usually the same day, 7 days a week.
- Have your baseline tests. Your doctor sends a pathology request, and you go to any local collection centre. You need a negative HIV test before starting.
- Get your prescription. Once your results are reviewed, your doctor sends an eScript to your phone. You can fill it at any pharmacy.
- Start PrEP as directed. Your doctor will explain how to take it and when you’re protected.
- Check in every 3 months. A quick review and repeat tests keep your PrEP safe and your scripts up to date.
What tests do you need before starting PrEP?
Before you start, Australian guidelines recommend:
- an HIV blood test, ideally within 7 days of starting
- a kidney function blood test and urine test
- hepatitis A, B and C tests
- an STI check for gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis
- a pregnancy test, if relevant
Most of these are done in a single visit to a pathology collection centre.
How much does PrEP cost?
The consultation: at STI Doctor, consults are bulk-billed for eligible Medicare card holders, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost.
The medicine: PrEP is PBS-listed. From 1 January 2026, you pay the standard PBS co-payment at the pharmacy: up to $25 per script, or $7.70 with a concession card.
Tests: standard tests are usually covered by Medicare at the collection centre.
Without Medicare: you can still get PrEP. Your doctor can give you a private script, or talk you through importing a generic version under the TGA’s personal importation scheme. See our fees for consults without Medicare.
Daily or on-demand PrEP?
Daily PrEP means taking one tablet every day. It suits everyone who can use PrEP. Australian guidelines advise it takes 7 days of daily doses to reach highly effective protection.
On-demand PrEP (sometimes called event-driven or 2-1-1 PrEP) means taking tablets around the time you have sex. It can suit cisgender men, and people assigned male at birth who aren’t taking oestrogen, who have sex less often and can plan ahead. It isn’t suitable for cisgender women, trans women taking oestrogen, or people who inject drugs. Your doctor will help you choose the right option and explain exactly how to take it.
Staying on PrEP
While you’re on PrEP, you need an HIV test and STI check every 3 months. Your kidney function is checked at 3 months, then usually every 6 months. These regular checks are also a good way to pick up and treat STIs early, since PrEP only prevents HIV.
PrEP vs PEP: what’s the difference?
PrEP is taken before possible exposure to HIV, on an ongoing basis. PEP is an emergency 28-day course taken after a possible exposure, and it must be started within 72 hours. If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, get PEP first. You can move straight from PEP onto PrEP afterwards.
Also different is Doxy-PEP, an antibiotic taken after sex to lower the risk of syphilis and chlamydia for some people at higher risk. It doesn’t prevent HIV.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get PrEP online in Australia?
Yes. A telehealth doctor can assess you by phone or video, arrange your tests at a local lab and send an eScript to your phone if PrEP is right for you.
Can I buy PrEP without a prescription?
No. PrEP is a prescription medicine in Australia. You need a doctor’s assessment and a negative HIV test before starting.
Does PrEP protect against other STIs?
No. PrEP only prevents HIV. Condoms and regular STI testing still matter.
I’m already on PrEP. Can a new doctor continue my script?
Yes. Let the doctor know when your last tests were done. They’ll arrange any tests that are due and can continue your script once the results are reviewed.
Ready to start PrEP?
Book a bulk-billed telehealth consult with an Australian doctor. We’ll arrange your tests and, if PrEP suits you, send your eScript straight to your phone. Get PrEP online.
Sources: ASHM National PrEP Guidelines (2025); PBS: fees, patient contributions and safety net thresholds. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.
