People in the Canberra region can now access free HIV self-test kits at any time through a CONNECT project vending machine outside Meridian’s offices in Turner.
“At Meridian’s core is the mission to end HIV transmission and serve people living with HIV until there is a cure for everyone,” said Meridian CEO Joshua Anlezark.
“We know that stigma remains a significant barrier to sexual health testing, especially for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. However, it is important to know your status and know it early, so you can access appropriate care and maximise your health outcomes.
“We are proud to be the first location in the ACT to have a CONNECT vending machine, with the goal to increase testing rates and reduce HIV transmission.
This initiative is in collaboration with the CONNECT project by Thorne Harbour Health.
Getting a self-test kit to use in the privacy of your own home is easy:
- Go to https://hivconnect.org.au/ and click on ‘Get a Test Kit’.
- Answer a few questions, including providing your mobile phone number.
- Scan the QR code or enter the code you received through SMS to get your free test.
is straightforward and there is a detailed instructional video on the CONNECT website. Results are available within 15 minutes.
To support the roll-out of the vending machine, Meridian is holding free training sessions for community workers and allied health professionals in the Canberra region. These sessions will build awareness and confidence across the sector, both in understanding HIV and in practically supporting clients to access the CONNECT vending machine and self-test kits (with in-person and online sessions).
“Whatever HIV means for Canberrans living with HIV, Meridian will be there when they need it for information, connection, services and advocacy,” Mr Anlezark said.
“In partnership with Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Meridian delivers monthly free sexual health screening and access to PrEP. Meridian also provides free and low-cost safer sex products.”
About CONNECT
The CONNECT project was developed by Thorne Harbour Health to overcome barriers to HIV testing, in particular those experienced by men who have sex with men from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, migrants and international students. Known barriers include:
- cost
- discomfort at raising sexual health with doctors
- concern about the implications for visa status
- fear of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
In late 2021, Thorne Harbour Health implemented a pilot project in South Australia to address these concerns, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing through its ‘Activities to Support the National Response to Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI)' grants.
The project provided easy access to free rapid HIV self-tests dispensed via 8 vending machines placed in discrete and safe locations, in addition to providing referral pathways to treatment and support.
Between March 2022 and June 2025, 3,600 people registered to use the service and 4,627 tests were dispensed. Users were from over 100 countries, with 56% born overseas, and more than half were aged between 20 and 29. A considerable proportion of users were testing for HIV for the first time.
The success of the pilot project led to the funding of a national rollout of CONNECT, the first national initiative of its kind in the world.