South Australians are urged to get tested this World Hepatitis Day: 28 July, 2026. Nearly 300,000 Australians are at risk of liver cancer from hepatitis B and hepatitis C and many don’t even know it. A simple blood test can change that, and Hepatitis SA wants South Australians to know exactly where and how to get one.
Hepatitis SA CEO Kerry Paterson said this year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, Take the Next Step, is a reminder to South Australians to get tested, and seek care or treatment.
Hepatitis SA is holding free online and in person events to raise awareness, including drop-in liver scan clinics at shopping centres, online education sessions including advice on testing and care, hepatitis C testing clinics and face to face education sessions at various metro and regional community services.
The first community fibroscan event at Arndale Shopping Centre on 23 July was met with enthusiasm from the community with 64 people receiving scans from the viral hepatitis nurses.
“Most people with hepatitis feel completely well, right up until they don’t. A test takes minutes and tells you something no symptom ever will,” said Ms Paterson.
“There is a cure for hepatitis C, and hepatitis B can be managed with regular care. What we can’t do is reach the thousands of South Australians who don’t yet know they’re living with it.
“Whoever you are and however you think you might have been exposed, you’ll get no judgement from us. What you’ll get is the right information, support, and respect.
“With hepatitis B, standard-of-care monitoring may mean the difference between life and death, as was the case with one community member who didn’t know he had early-stage liver cancer until he was referred for an ultrasound after attending one of our fibro scan clinics.”
Regular monitoring also reduces anxiety and improves quality of life by ensuring the right advice and care is given as needed. For Tina [name changed to protect privacy], it was finding an anchor and a community.
“I had my hepatitis B diagnosis at 20 and didn’t take it seriously until I was older and felt the need to know more. Relying on information I found online on my own, the more I read, the more frightened I got,” she recalled.
“By chance, I came across Hepatitis SA. I contacted them with a mindset of just giving it a try, and participated in their fibroscan event. The information and support I received was like a reassuring anchor. With their referral and support, I now see a specialist every six months to monitor my liver health.
“That gives me greater peace of mind, but most importantly, I feel I’ve gone from fighting alone to finding a community. Whenever I have questions or concerns, I can always reach out to them for advice.”
Hepatitis Australia CEO Lucy Clynes said we could eliminate hepatitis if Australia kept up the
momentum.
“Eliminating hepatitis means people keeping their health and their future. Serious liver disease and
early deaths from viral hepatitis are now largely avoidable, and every one we fail to prevent is a loss
that never needed to happen.
A decade ago, Australia led the world by making hepatitis C cures available to everyone. That
ambition can’t stop halfway. The work that community hepatitis organisations like Hepatitis SA are
doing to find, test and treat people with hepatitis B and hepatitis C is saving lives.”
Ms Paterson said the message for World Hepatitis Day was simple.
“Taking the Next Step doesn’t need to be dramatic. Book a test, ring the Helpline, or just read up. Do
one small thing on 28 July and your liver will thank you for years.”
See what WHD2026 events are happening in SA and around Australia and check out which buildings and structures will be lighting up green.
Events and Activities in South Australia
- Online information sessions on the ABCs of hepatitis. These sessions are free and open to all.
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm on Friday 24 July, Tuesday 28 July, Thursday 4 Aug. Book here. - Free drop-in liver scan clinics at shopping centres, in partnership with Relationships Australia, at the Arndale Shopping Centre (outside Big W), 470 Torrens Rd, Kilkenny and Munno Para Shopping Centre (outside Kmart), 600 Main North Rd. For more details: ring Jenny on 8362 8443.
- Hepatitis C testing clinics at services in Magill and Murray Bridge. Booking required: ring Lisa on 8362 8443
- Testing by appointment at Hepatitis SA premises, Kent Town: ring Lisa on 8362 8443
- Find more at hepatitissa.asn.au or call 1800 437 222
Last updated 28 July 2026
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