Sexual health and viral hepatitis policies and legislation focus on the transmission, prevention and management of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections.
Victorian sexual and reproductive health and viral hepatitis strategy 2022–30
The Victorian sexual and reproductive health and viral hepatitis strategy 2022–30 sets the overarching direction for sexual and reproductive health and viral hepatitis prevention, testing, treatment and care in Victoria.
The strategy is made up of 7 individual plans:
- Strategy overview and system enabler plan 2022–30
- Victorian Aboriginal sexual and reproductive health plan 2022–30
- Victorian hepatitis B plan 2022–30
- Victorian hepatitis C plan 2022–30
- Victorian HIV plan 2022–30
- Victorian sexually transmissible infections plan 2022–30
- Victorian women’s sexual and reproductive health plan 2022–30
National strategies 2018-2022
Victoria is a signatory to five national strategies for blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections:
- Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy
- Fourth National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy(opens in a new window)
- Fifth National Hepatitis C Strategy(opens in a new window)
- Fifth National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood-Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy(opens in a new window)
- Eighth National HIV Strategy(opens in a new window)
Legislation and regulations
Legislation and regulations relevant to blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections in Victoria include the following.
Public Health and Wellbeing Act
The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 is a key piece of legislation designed to protect the health of the population.
The Act includes regulations covering the following areas:
- Post test or authorisation counselling
- Safeguards for contact tracing information.
The Act requires that a four year state public health and wellbeing plan be prepared every four years. The Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2023–2027 sets out a long term agenda for improving health and wellbeing outcomes in Victoria.
Sex on Premises Venues
Sex on premises venues (SOPVs) are venues where persons are required to pay an admission fee to enter for the purpose of engaging in sexual activities with other people who have entered the venue on the same terms and who did not receive payment for engaging in sexual activities.
On 1 December 2023, the Sex Work Act 1994 (the Act) was repealed as part of the broader decriminalisation of sex work in Victoria. As part of this repeal, operators of SOPVs are no longer required to apply to the Department of Health (the department) for an exemption from the Act.
The Guidance for Sex on Premises Venues in Victoria replaces the Statement of principles and procedures for Sex on Premises Venues. SOPVs are encouraged to refer to the recommendations included in this document to ensure they are providing a safe environment for their patrons.
Mpox (monkeypox) factsheets for sex on premises venues
Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations
The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006 cover the prescription and supply of drugs and medicines by a practitioner for the treatment of sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses.
Patient delivered partner therapy
A key initiative for sexual health relating to these regulations is patient delivered partner therapy. This is an additional public health strategy for managing rising rates of chlamydia in Victoria.
Patient delivered partner therapy describes the practice of prescribing treatment (a single dose of azithromycin) for the person diagnosed with chlamydia - as well as providing treatment, either medication or a prescription, for delivery to their sexual partner.
The Department of Health provides the Victorian Patient Delivered Partner Therapy Clinical Guidelines to assist practitioners in complying with the regulations when prescribing or supplying azithromycin, in restricted situations, for treatment of sexual partners of individuals diagnosed with chlamydia.
Health Records Act
The Health Records Act 2001 regulates the collection, handling and privacy of individuals’ health information.
For further information on the above or related legislation and regulations refer to the Chief Health Officer.
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