Self Test Kits

About HIV Self Test Kits

One of the most recent, and most private ways you can test for HIV is by using a HIV self test kit. This can be in the privacy of your own home or anywhere you feel comfortable. The only Australian HIV self test currently approved for use here is by Atomo Diagnostics. You can get these kits four ways:

• From selected pharmacies who stock Atomo kits for a fee (usually around $30)
• From Atomo Diagnostics for a fee ($29.95 plus shipping)
• If you live in Queensland, for FREE from our RAPID HIV self test kit program. You’ll receive the kit discreetly in the mail, and we’ll talk to you on the phone to help you do the test and understand the results.
• OR if you live anywhere in Australia you can sign up for the hivtest.au program, where you can receive up to 4 test kits per year, shipped to your door for free.

The choice is yours.

HIV Self Test Kits are also available from some local pharmacies for a reasonable cost, but from RAPID they are free for people in Queensland aged 16 years or over.

The Atomo HIV self test kit uses just a drop of blood from your fingertip and takes about 15 minutes to give you an accurate result.

The window period for HIV testing is 3 months. This is the time between when you come into contact with HIV and when it will show up on a blood test. If you’re especially worried about HIV, we suggest testing at 6 weeks after sex (or injecting), when the test is very likely to be accurate, then again after another 6 weeks to be sure.

The window period for HIV is part of why regular testing is so important. How often you test depends on what kind of sex you have and how often. At least once every year is a good idea for everyone, and people who are more sexually active might like to consider closer to every 3 months.

If your HIV screening test is positive, we’ll support you to get a follow-up test to confirm the result. We can help you with information and advice about what to do next. HIV is not a big deal for most people these days. If your test is positive, modern treatment is available to keep you healthy and usually prevent you from being able to pass on the virus.

We can help you with information and support about living with HIV, from medication to social and legal issues and more. We can also refer you to groups within QPP and other organisations to support you.

RAPID Website

Click to view RAPIDs website, which includes opening hours, information about the clinic and links to other sexual health information and services.

Our Clinic

Our discreet Fortitude Valley testing clinic is located at 725 Ann Street. We’re open Tuesday – Saturday. We don’t take appointments, just walk in.

When To Test

How often you test is up to you and depends on your sexual activity. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of a sexual health check at least every year, even if you’re in a monogamous relationship.

Testing Options In Queensland

You have many options for HIV testing. Any doctor can refer you for a laboratory HIV test using a blood sample. There are a number of other options including home testing and dedicated clinics.

Our trained team is here to help you should you have any questions or need support. You can call for free from a Queensland land-line on 1800 636 241 or call (07) 3013 5555 (national). You can also email us or use the contact form or the chat function in the corner of our website.