PrEP Melbourne

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily medication that reduces the risk of HIV infection by over 99 per cent when taken as prescribed. It is one of the most significant advances in HIV prevention and is recommended by the Australian STI Management Guidelines for people at ongoing risk of HIV, including men who have sex with men with multiple partners, serodiscordant couples, and people who inject drugs.

The standard PrEP regimen in Australia is a single daily tablet, which is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This makes it affordable — approximately $7.70 with a concession card or $30 to $40 without. Event-based (on-demand) PrEP dosing is also approved for men who have sex with men, involving two tablets taken two to 24 hours before sex, then one tablet 24 hours later and one 48 hours later.

Starting PrEP requires an initial consultation with a doctor to confirm you are HIV-negative, check kidney function, and screen for hepatitis B. At Clinic365, this initial consultation is $59 by telehealth. Your Specialist GP will order the necessary blood tests, which you complete at any pathology clinic, then prescribe PrEP once results confirm eligibility.

Ongoing monitoring while on PrEP is essential. Every three months, you need an HIV test, kidney function test, and STI screening. Clinic365 offers this quarterly monitoring for $39 online — no appointment needed. You receive a pathology referral by SMS, attend any pathology clinic, and your GP reviews the results and arranges your next PrEP supply.

PrEP only prevents HIV — it does not protect against other STIs. Regular STI screening every three months is strongly recommended for all PrEP users. This quarterly testing is included in the Clinic365 monitoring program. DoxyPEP — antibiotic taken after condomless sex — can be discussed with your GP as an additional measure to reduce bacterial STI acquisition.

HIV and STI prevention strategies have advanced significantly in recent years, giving individuals more control over their sexual health than ever before. Your Specialist GP will assess your individual risk profile, discuss all available prevention options, and recommend the approach that best fits your lifestyle and sexual practices. Prevention is most effective when combined with regular screening — Clinic365 recommends a full STI screen at least every three months for individuals at higher risk.

All prevention medications prescribed through Clinic365 are PBS-listed where applicable, keeping out-of-pocket costs low. Your GP will explain the dosing regimen, monitoring requirements, potential side effects, and what to do if you miss a dose or experience an exposure. Ongoing management is designed to be as simple as possible — with quarterly refills available for $39 online and pathology referrals sent by SMS. If your circumstances change or you have questions between appointments, telehealth consultations are available for $59.

Prevention is a core part of Clinic365's approach to sexual health. In addition to medication-based prevention, your Specialist GP can discuss comprehensive risk reduction strategies including condom use, regular screening schedules, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis, and harm reduction approaches. The goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about your sexual health. Prevention consultations can be combined with routine STI screening, making it easy to address multiple aspects of your sexual health in a single appointment.