Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses
Leading key initiatives to address sexual health and blood borne viruses. Our programs focus on local needs, capacity building, and improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
What we do
NACCHO manages two critical programs: the Enhanced Syphilis Response (ESR) Program and the Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections (BBVSTI) Program.
Our initiatives
NACCHO manages programs that are both well-established and are the result of ongoing advocacy and determination from the community-controlled sector.
Enhanced Syphilis Response (ESR) program
The Enhanced Syphilis Response (ESR) began in 2017 after NACCHO advocated to the Australian Government for a coordinated, community-led response to the syphilis outbreak in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The program has been evaluated as highly successful and is now a benchmark for other communicable disease initiatives. Since then, the Australian Government has transitioned full responsibility for the program to NACCHO. As of 1 July 2024, NACCHO will oversee the coordination, training, and quality assurance of syphilis point-of-care testing with enrolled services.
HTLV-1
NACCHO is working with Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, AMSANT and other stakeholders to address HTLV-1 in affected Aboriginal communities. This work has included developing a research framework to support appropriate and culturally safe HTLV-1 research, as well as national guidelines for primary health care services. These guidelines will be supported by resources to help health professionals discuss testing and transmission with at-risk groups.
For further information please visit Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.
This Portal is a collaboration between the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.
Blood borne virus and sexually transmissible infections program
This program provides funding to members and affiliates to build their local workforce to implement responses based on local community BBVSTI priorities.
Menstrual products
In the 2024 Federal Budget, $12.5 million was allocated over four years for NACCHO to lead a community-driven distribution of menstrual products in regional and remote communities. This initiative, aimed at improving access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls, women and gender diverse people.
Our impact
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, syphilis testing rates were on the rise. However, the pandemic affected various aspects of service delivery. Now, we are pleased to report that our sector is testing above pre-COVID levels for the target age group of 15 to 34 years. This is a remarkable achievement, reflecting the collective efforts of everyone in the sector to improve health outcomes.
Source: Kirby Institute. Presented by NACCHO at the Inaugural NACCHO Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus National Workshop 2024.
Our approach
Community of Practice
At NACCHO, we prioritise cultural safety, a strengths-based approach, collective impact, and knowledge exchange as key elements of our collaboration. Our Community of Practice celebrates successes, overcome challenges, and innovate to meet community needs.
Inaugural NACCHO Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus National Workshop
On 20-21 August 2024 NACCHO held its inaugural Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses National Workshop in Sydney. The workshop supported knowledge exchange, learnings and successes across Member ACCHOs, and Affiliates enrolled in the ESR and BBVSTI programs.
The workshop attracted 115 health professionals from various backgrounds, locations (urban to very remote) and experience levels, including frontline workers such as Aboriginal Health practitioners (AHPs), Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs), community liaison officers, youth workers, and health promotion staff.
The workshop was opened by NACCHO Chair, Donnella Mills, NACCHO Deputy CEO, Dr Dawn Casey and included a welcome from the Hon. Ged Kearny, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health.
Participants had the chance to showcase their successes, identify gaps in resources and training, and build professional relationships. The workshop also provided a platform for feedback to shape the future of both programs.
The agenda included topics such as Men’s Sexual Health, support for the ‘Rainbow Mob’ LGBTQIASB+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, Syphilis Point of Care Testing (PoCT) training, harm reduction strategies, needle and syringe programs, preventing BBV transmission in prisons, and discussions on hepatitis B and HIV. A panel featuring individuals with lived experience of hepatitis C and hepatitis B also contributed valuable insights.
Case study:
Successful Needle and Syringe Program at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal Corporation
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal Corporation (Derbarl) was the first ACCHO in Western Australia to establish a Needle and Syringe Program (NSP), in 2008. The program provides sterile equipment, safe disposal containers, and education to promote safer injecting practices. Its primary goal is to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV.
People who inject drugs come from all parts of the community, but those with trauma, mental health issues, or histories of incarceration are at higher risk. Factors such as shame, stigma, and discrimination often deter Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from accessing NSPs. This highlights the importance of culturally informed staff and culturally safe locations, like ACCHOs (Australian Department of Health, 2008).
Derbarl clinics dispense ~650 fit packs a month, with nearly 70% of clients identifying as Aboriginal. The age range of NSP clients varies widely, from under 18 to over 60 years.
To improve access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, recommendations include enhancing NSP cultural security, implementing harm reduction community education and awareness initiatives, and developing holistic service models (SiRen 2021).
Derbarl’s successful NSP plays a crucial role in reducing stigma, improving access to comprehensive health care in a non-judgmental and culturally safe environment, and decreasing the transmission of blood-borne viruses.
Resources
ACCHO developed Sexual Health resources
Contraception
| Description | State/ Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Link |
| A contraception resource to support conversations about reproductive choices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Useful for education sessions and one-on-one yarning in clinic. | Victoria | VACCHO |  |
Our Bodies our Choices Resource |
General STI
| Description | State/ Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Link |
Order form for QAIHC “Sexual Health Yarning Our Way” resources for services to request copies clinic use. Includes Sexual Health yarning, guidelines and Men’s and Women’s business | QLD | QAIHC |  | QAIHC Sexual health resources |
| Stay Lubly – Video and supporting content to help clinicians and services start conversations about STI screening and encourage culturally safe, routine testing. | SA | AHCSA |  | STI screening video |
| Stay Lubly – A campaign page with practical sexual health information to support STI testing and prevention messaging within communities. | SA | AHCSA |  | The more you know: |
STI awareness campaign encouraging people to look after sexual health through regular testing, safer sex and open conversations; includes resources for services to order/use. -T-shirts, posters stickers and condom packs | SA | AHCSA |  | Stay Lubly: get tested Campaign |
| Educational booklet covering consent, safe sex and barrier methods, sexual health check-ups and common STIs, designed as a practical resource for both clinicians and community members. | NSW | AH&MRC |  | AH&MRC’s Doin’ it Right |
| Health promotion posters covering Mpox, HAV, condom usage, PID. | NSW | AH&MRC |  | Sexual Health and Bloodborne Viruses Archives – AH&MRC |
| AHCWA training and video resources to build workforce confidence in STI/BBV prevention, testing and treatment, with practical messaging for community education. Includes a training flyer plus short video modules. | WA | AHCWA |  | Birds and the BBVs Training flyer The Bites 30 min videos |
| Online request form that helps services find, compare and access AHCWA sexual health and BBV education resources. A handy starting point for ordering materials and planning community education or clinic-based health promotion. | WA
| AHCWA |  | AHCWA Sexual Health & BBV Resource List |
| Clinic poster set promoting syphilis testing in pregnancy and routine STI testing for 15–39 year olds. Designed for waiting rooms and consultation spaces to prompt testing conversations and support opportunistic screening. | WA
| Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) |  | Clinic Posters |
Hepatitis B
| Description | State/ Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Link |
| Clinical quick-reference resource outlining hepatitis B care pathways, designed to support consistent HBV care in ACCHOs. | NSW | AH&MRC |  |
HBV Clinical Screening and treatment |
Hepatitis C
| Description | State/Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Link |
| Hep C in 4 is a quick reference flowchart to support streamlined hepatitis C testing and clinical decision-making in primary care. | South Australia | AHCSA |  | Hepatitis flow chart |
LGBTQIA+SB
| Description | State/ Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Link |
| Rainbow Mob resources support culturally safe practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+SB people, including downloadable posters and an online training package. Designed to help services create welcoming spaces and strengthen staff confidence. | Victoria | VACCHO |   |
Rainbow Mob |
| Guide to support culturally safe yarning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people about sexuality and gender. Useful for services wanting practical, respectful approaches to inclusive conversations and support. | Western Australia | Walkern Katatdjin |  |
Yarning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ |
Men’s Business
| Description | State/ Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Link |
| A set of flyers created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers/Practitioners to support yarning about men’s sexual health, Safer sex and STI testing in ACCHO settings | QLD | QAIHC |  |
Men’s sexual health flyers |
Safer sex
| Description | State/ Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Link |
| VACCHO’s Condom Campaign provides ready-to-use health promotion materials (posters, condom packs and digital content) to support safer sex messaging in community. Suitable for events, clinics and social media to normalise condom use and STI prevention. | Victoria | VACCHO |  |
Condom Campaign |
Syphilis
| Description | State/ Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Link |
| SHINE SA/AHCSA campaign page explaining syphilis, why testing and partner notification matter, and where to get checked, with downloadable resources to promote regular sexual health checks. | South Australia | AHCSA |  |
Respect me + respect you , is your syphilis checkup due – |
| Flipchart resource to support culturally safe yarning about syphilis, including symptoms, testing, treatment and prevention. Useful for community education sessions and for clinicians/Health Workers explaining syphilis during consultations. | Western Australia | AHCWA |  |
‘Go Along Philis’ – Flipchart & Poster Order Form |
Women’s Business
| Description | State/ Territory | ACCHO/Affiliate | Image | Linked Title |
| A set of flyers created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers/Practitioners to support yarning about women’s sexual health, contraception/Safer sex and STI testing in ACCHO settings. | QLD | QAIHC |  |
Women’s Sexual Health Flyers |
| Flipchart designed to support culturally safe yarning about cervical screening, HPV and follow-up, helping explain the process in a visual, step-by-step way. Useful for opportunistic screening discussions and women’s health education sessions. | Victoria | VACCHO |  |
Cervical Screening Flipchart |
| Booklet-style HPV resource designed to support culturally safe conversations about HPV, vaccination and cervical screening. Useful for community education and clinic yarning to build understanding and encourage prevention. |  |
Stay Safe, Stay Moorditj |
Additional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health Resources
Contraception
| Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Yarning about contraception is a culturally safe booklet designed to support conversations about reproductive choices and different contraceptive methods. Useful for clients, youth workers and health staff as a take-home resource or during education sessions. | NSW | Family Planning Australia |  |
Yarning about contraception |
| Aboriginal-specific contraception flipchart developed with AHCSA to support culturally safe yarning about contraceptive options. A practical visual aid for clinicians and Health Workers in consultations and group education. | SA | Shine SA Aboriginal Specific – SHINE SA |  |
Contraception Flip Chart |
General STI
| Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Take Blakation is a First Nations-led NSW sexual health campaign using short videos, quizzes and practical info to promote safer sex, STI testing and respectful relationships. Great for sharing via social media or using as conversation starters in clinic and community settings. | NSW | NSW Government |  |
Take Blakation |
| STI flipchart developed with AHCSA to explain common STIs, testing and treatment in a clear, culturally appropriate way. Ideal for community sessions and for supporting client understanding during clinical yarning. | SA | Shine SA |  |
Flip Chart |
| Set of STI and BBV booklets (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, HIV and hepatitis B) for client education and take-home use. Supports clear explanations of symptoms, testing and treatment in plain language. | SA | Shine SA |  |
Booklets |
| Before Play is a national STI prevention campaign with downloadable posters and digital assets promoting safer sex and regular testing. Adaptable for service waiting rooms and online channels. | National | Australian Government |  |
Before play STI Prevention Campaign |
| True or Gammon is a STI campaign resource page with culturally relevant messaging and downloadable materials. Designed to challenge myths, encourage testing and support respectful conversations about sexual health. | National | Australian Government |  |
True or Gammon DoHAC |
| Better to Know provides videos and fact sheets about STIs and BBVs, including some resources in language, to support culturally safe education. Also includes practical guidance on partner notification/contact tracing and how to access testing and treatment. | National | Better to Know (ANA / AFAO) |  |
About Us – Better to Know |
| All About Series including 5 brochures and short booklets on HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, Herpes, and STIS Developed alongside community & ACCHS stakeholders | WA | WA Health |  |
All about HIV All about hepatitis All about syphilis Order WA Health STI and BBV resources |
| Five videos relating to Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, HIV, Syphilis and STIs, which were designed for an Aboriginal audience. Developed alongside community & ACCHS stakeholders. | WA | WA Health |  |
How to treat hepatitis C What it means to have HIV What you need to know about Hepatitis B We need to yarn about syphilis What is an STI? |
| Young Deadly Free’s resource catalogue brings together downloadable posters, fact sheets, infographics and videos to support STI/BBV prevention, testing and treatment. Suitable for community education, youth-focused programs and clinic health promotion. | National | University of Queensland / Poche Centre |  |
Resource Catalogue Young Deadly Free |
Hepatitis B
| Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| The Hep B Story is a multilingual app that explains hepatitis B through story-based, culturally appropriate education. Useful for client education in clinic and community, including with people who prefer information in language. | NT | Menzies School of Health Research |  | The Hep B story |
Hepatitis C
| Topic | Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Hepatitis C | Every Yarn Counts is a hepatitis C health promotion site with posters and practical information about testing, treatment and where to access care. Useful for services to promote HCV screening and support people through the pathway to cure. | National | Burnet Institute |  |
Every Yarn Counts |
HIV
| Description | State/Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| HIV – U and Me is a First Nations-focused HIV health promotion hub with plain-language resources on HIV, PrEP, PEP and treatment as prevention (TasP). Includes downloadable fact sheets and infographics that services can use in clinics, community sessions and online. | National | Poche centre UQ/ATSIHIV |  |
HIV – U and Me |
| Curated hub of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV resources, including health promotion materials to support prevention, testing, treatment and stigma reduction. Helpful for services looking for ready-to-use resources for community education and clinic settings. | National | Health Equity Matters |  |
Resource HUB |
| PATSIN provides the opportunity for HIV positive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to advocate for change at a national level. It also gives members the opportunity to network across their diverse communities, providing confidential and culturally appropriate peer support and referral to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with HIV. | National | PATSIN/NAPWA |  |
PATSIN Brochure (note this is on my personal sharepoint as cannot find on internet as yet) |
| HIV Flip Chart for Patient Education (2024) | WA | WA Health |  |
Living with HIV |
LGBTQIA+SB
| Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| A printable guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities exploring gender and sexuality in a respectful, community-informed way. | VIC | Thorn Habour Health |  |
Hey, You Mob! A short Guide to understanding sexuality within the community |
| Two posters developed in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health and the Zoe Belle Gender Collective celebrating our LGBTISBQA and queer First Nations communities. | VIC | Thorne Harbour Health |  |
Posters Still here still Queer |
| Strong in Spirit is a resource supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+SB people, focusing on wellbeing, safety and navigating services. | VIC | Thorne Harbour Health |  |
Strong in Spirit |
People who inject drugs (PWID)
| Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Practical safe injecting factsheet covering safer equipment use and strategies to reduce harms (including BBV transmission and injection-related injuries). supporting people who inject drugs. | National | AIVIL: Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League |  |
Safe Injecting |
| People who inject drugs (PWID) Campaign regarding BBVs (May 2026) | WA | WA Health |  |
Look After Your Blood |
Safer sex
| Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Interactive condom card game (developed with AHCSA) to make safer sex education engaging, especially for young people. Supports discussion about condom use, myths and negotiation in a culturally safe, strengths-based format. | SA | Shine SA | |
Condom Game cards |
Syphilis
| Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Three-poster set developed with AHCSA to encourage syphilis testing, with messaging tailored for pregnancy and antenatal care contexts. Suitable for clinics and community settings to prompt timely testing and treatment. | SA | Shine SA |  |
Respect Me + You, Is Your Syphilis Check Up Due? Three Poster Set – SHINE SA |
| Poster set for partners of people who are pregnant, encouraging syphilis testing, treatment and prevention to protect pregnancy outcomes. | NT | NT Government |  |
Stop Syphilis |
| Downloadable audio fact sheets about syphilis in multiple NT Aboriginal languages, designed to support clear communication in consultations. | NT | NT Government |  |
Syphilis audio fact sheets |
| Let’s Treat Syphilis provides campaign posters (including Condoman and Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander-focused designs) to promote syphilis testing and safer sex. | QLD | 2 Spirits, Queensland Council for LGBTI Health & Queensland Positive People |  |
Lets treat syphilis posters |
| Mainstream poster encouraging awareness of syphilis and the importance of testing and treatment. Can be used as general health promotion signage in clinics and community settings. | National | Australian Government |  |
Stop the rise of Syphilis |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-focused syphilis factsheet explaining what syphilis is, how it spreads, and the importance of testing and treatment. Includes a companion factsheet for health professionals to support consistent, evidence-based care. | National | Australian Government |  |
Factsheet for Community Information for health professionals on syphilis |
Young people
| Description | State/ Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Comic-style STI conversation cards (developed with AHCSA) designed to help young people talk about sexual health. Useful as prompts for group education, youth work and clinic waiting-room activities. | SA | Shine SA |  |
STI Comic Cards |
| Poster resource developed with AHCSA to promote healthy relationships, respectful communication and looking after sexual health. | SA | Shine SA |  |
Sexual health and relationship for me and my mob |
| Booklets for girls and boys that explain body changes, relationships and personal health in an age-appropriate way. Useful for families, schools and youth programs to support confident, culturally safe conversations. | SA | Shine SA |  |
Puberty : girls Puberty: boys |
| Yarning Like is a curriculum-style manual with lesson ideas to support culturally appropriate relationships and sexual health education in schools. While older, it can still provide useful activities and structure for educators and youth programs. | SA | Shine SA |  |
Yarning Like |
| Teach Us Consent provides structured, classroom-ready resources to help young people learn about consent, respectful relationships and sexual ethics. | National | Teach Us Consent |  |
Teach us consent |
| STI and BBVs including healthy relationships resources for educators, health professionals and parents/carers to talk to young Aboriginal people | WA | WA Health |  |
Let’s Yarn |
Clinical Training and Guidelines
General Sexual Health
| Description | State/Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Two-day Aboriginal-focused course building skills and confidence to have conversations about sexual health and relationships. | SA | SHINE SA. Let’s Talk About Sexual Health: |  |
Let’s Talk About Sexual Health: Youth Focus – SHINE SA |
General STI
| Description | State/territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Practical national guidance for partner notification and contact tracing for STIs/BBVs. | National | ASHM contact tracing guidelines 2022. |  |
Contact Tracing | ASHM |
| Online modules for ACCHO staff on STI testing and management. | National | NACCHO LMS modules |  |
NACCHO Online Learning: Log in to the site |
| Evidence-based national STI management guidance for primary care. | National | ASHM Australian STI Management Guidelines for use in primary care |  |
STI Guidelines Australia | Australian STI Guidelines website |
| Practical resources to support culturally safe sexual history taking in clinical care. | National | ASHM Sexual history taking |  |
Home – Sexual History Taking Resource Catalogue |
| On-demand eLearning modules in Aboriginal health, including STI topics. | National | AMSED |  |
Our eLearning Modules | Healthcare Training Library – AMSED 24/7 |
| WA-specific guidelines on the testing, treatment and management of STIs and BBVs. | WA | WA STI and BBV Guidelines |  |
WA STI and BBV Guidelines Link |
| eLearning for clinicians doing NT placements, including STI modules. | NT | NT remote locum program / RAHC) eLearning. |  |
eLearning | NT Remote Locum Program |
HTLV-1
| Description | State/Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Clinical guidance for HTLV-1 care tailored to Aboriginal primary health care settings. | National | NACCHO/ASHM |  |
Introduction – NACCHO HTLV-1 Guidelines |
Syphilis
| Description | State/Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| Short online module covering syphilis basics for nursing practice and outbreak response. | National | ASHM Introduction to Syphilis Nursing: Online Learning Module | |
Introduction to Syphilis Nursing: Online Learning Module | ASHM Health |
| Short online module covering syphilis basics for nursing practice and outbreak response. | National | ASHM Introduction to Syphilis Nursing: Online Learning Module | |
Introduction to Syphilis Nursing: Online Learning Module | ASHM Health |
| Provides key information in syphilis management for the primary care workforce. Co-designed by NACCHO and ASHM. | National | Syphilis Guidance in Primary Care |  |
Introduction | Syphilis Guidance for Primary Care |
| Central hub linking to ASHM syphilis guidelines, tools and training. | National | ASHM. STOP Syphilis. |  |
Stop syphilis | ASHM Health |
Young people
| Description | State/Territory | Organisation | Image | Link |
| WA community education training options, including Mooditj and STARS programs. | WA | Sexual Health Quarters Various training options: Mooditj program: For people who work with young Aboriginal people build skills resilience, relationships and sexual health education STARS program introductory course to help build knowledge and confidence to Start Talking About Relationships and Sexual health with young Aboriginal people. |  |
Community Education – Sexual Health Quarters |
| Specialised Reproductive and Sexual Health Training for Youth Workers. | NSW | Family Planning NSW The Nitty Gritty. |  |
The Nitty Gritty Online: Specialised Reproductive and Sexual Health Training for Youth Workers | Family Planning NSW |
Committees
NACCHO participates in various government and research committees
NACCHO participates in various government and research committees, including the Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 148 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the Sexual Health team, here: bbvsti@naccho.org.au.
