Hepatitis Australia and Hepatitis SA are reminding all Australians, particularly anyone who received a blood transfusion or blood product before donor screening began in 1990, that hepatitis C is curable, and that free and confidential testing, support and treatment are available through HepLink (call 1800 437 222 or visit heplink.au).
This important reminder comes as ABC’s Australian Story aired an episode earlier this week, revisiting the experiences of people affected by hepatitis C and HIV contracted through blood and blood products in Australia prior to screening.
Hepatitis Australia CEO Lucy Clynes said the organisation’s priority was making sure anyone who saw the episode and had questions about their own hepatitis status knew where to turn.
“Whatever people take from [the] program, the single most important message we want them to hear is that hepatitis C is curable and that people can get tested confidentially, for free.
“If you received a blood transfusion or blood product before 1990, or you’re simply not sure of your hepatitis status, please don’t wait. A simple test can give you an answer, and if you do have hepatitis C, treatment today is highly effective, straightforward and available to everyone who needs it.
“We understand this is a deeply personal issue for many people, and that some in our community are still seeking answers and accountability for what happened to them. Our focus is on making sure practical help and support is there for anyone who needs it, right now.”
Australia introduced screening of the blood supply for hepatitis C in 1990, becoming one of the first countries in the world to do so. The issue of hepatitis C and the historical blood supply was the subject of a comprehensive Senate Committee inquiry in 2003.
You can watch the whole episode below, or on ABC’s iView.
Earlier this year, Hepatitis Australia launched a new national hepatitis C telehealth service as part of HepLink. Heplink offers virtual care in an easier, more innovative fashion that helps people to access testing, treatment, and support. It is free to anyone anywhere in Australia; you don’t need a referral.
Anyone with questions about their hepatitis status, including as a result of a historical blood transfusion, can contact HepLink on 1800 437 222 or visit heplink.au for free, confidential information, testing and referral to local services. Find out more about HepLink here, including how it works in South Australia.
For more on living with both hepatitis C and haemophilia, read Jake’s story, Gavin’s story, or John’s story, and learn more at the Haemophilia Foundation Australia’s website.
What about hepatitis B?
Australia introduced routine screening of donated blood for hepatitis B in 1971. Additional testing measures were introduced during the 1980s and 1990s to further reduce the risk of transmission.
Who Should Consider Testing?
People may benefit from hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing if they:
- Received a blood transfusion before routine hep B screening was introduced in 1971.
- Received a blood transfusion before 1990, when routine hepatitis C screening of introduced
- Received clotting factors or other plasma-derived blood products before 2000
- Are unsure whether they have ever been tested following a historical transfusion or blood product exposure.
Why Testing Is Important
Many people with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C have no symptoms for many years. Testing is the only way to know whether a past exposure resulted in infection. Effective treatments are available, and early diagnosis can prevent serious liver-related complications.
Posted 13 August 2026
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