ASHM

18/11/2025

World AIDS Day 2025 is just around the corner - and there are events happening across the country to raise awareness and celebrate community ❤️

Get involved this and attend an event near you!

Check out the full list of upcoming events at: https://buff.ly/ln9NhUH

17/11/2025

co-convenors Catherine Bateman and Catriona Bradshaw chat about why you should join us in Naarm (Melbourne) in 2026 for the Australasian S*xual and Reproductive Health Conference! ✨🎉

Taking place from the 15 – 17 September 2026, will bring together leaders across clinical practice, research, advocacy, and education to explore the latest developments and priority issues in sexual and reproductive health — from access and equity to innovation and policy reform.

will run back-to-back with the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference, and joint registrations will be available.

Find out more at: https://buff.ly/pyUnBri

13/11/2025

In September, ASHM was pleased to host 15 Asia and Pacific-based Fellows at the Australasian HIV&AIDS and S*xual and Reproductive Health Conferences in Tarndanya (Adelaide) supported by Australia Awards Fellowships and ASHM Gift Fund.

Australia Awards Fellowships are funded by the Australian Government and build networks of influence and leadership by strengthening partnerships between Australian organisations and partner organisations in the region. Fellowships target senior and mid-career officials and professionals who are in a position to advance development outcomes in priority areas and increase the institutional capacity of partner countries through their leadership.

Senior health ministry leaders from Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji, shared powerful insights on their efforts to achieve triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

During a session at , selected Fellows presented on the work they were currently doing in-country. The following week, all Fellows joined a six-day workshop to exchange ideas, build networks, and develop action plans to break down access barriers and strengthen triple elimination efforts across the Asia and Pacific region.

Thank you to all Fellows who took part - and to our amazing 2025 program partners: The Kirby Institute, The Doherty Institute, Burnet Institute, Nossal Institute, and S*xual Health and Blood Borne Virus Services in Southeastern Sydney Local Health District.

This workshop and delegation support were part of the Empowering Change-makers to Achieve Triple Elimination in Asia and the Pacific program - proudly supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented by ASHM. Together we are driving progress toward triple elimination across the region.

Fellowships and

13/11/2025

ASHM has today been announced an awardee of Action for Women’s Health, a $250 million global open call launched in 2024 to support organisations working to improve women’s mental and physical health around the world.

Although women make up half of the world’s population, they face inequities in nearly every aspect of their health. Women’s health is chronically underfunded and under-researched, and even when resources and solutions do exist, they often aren’t reaching the women who need them.

Out of over 4,000 organisations from 119 countries who applied, 80+ organisations were identified for funding, each receiving between $1 million and $5 million USD.

Read the full announcement on our website: https://buff.ly/LTlCMSo

ASHM has today been announced an awardee of Action for Women’s Health, a $250 million global open call launched in 2024 to support organisations working to improve women’s mental and physical health…

12/11/2025

Meet Cynthia, one of ASHM’s superstar Project Officers in the National Policy and Education Division (NPED)! ✨

Since joining ASHM over a year and a half ago, Cynthia has been busy supporting national projects focused on PrEP, HBV quality improvement, syphilis, and the Deadly S*x Congress (just to name a few)!

Outside of work, you’ll probably find Cynthia rolling up her sleeves in the kitchen - she’s currently on a mission to master the perfect sourdough 🥖 - or daydreaming about travelling through Asia to taste every cuisine possible (bonus points if it involves noodles, one of her all-time favourite foods🍜)

12/11/2025

Just launched: the new Decision Making in Gender Affirming Contraception resource! 🎉

This valuable tool will support clinicians to conduct gender affirming contraceptive consultations with trans and gender diverse patients.

This resource addresses the specific contraceptive needs of trans and gender diverse people, particularly those on hormone therapy. It will facilitate meaningful discussions with patients, enabling clinicians to explore the pros and cons of each contraceptive method and guide individuals towards informed decision-making.

Access the resource now at: https://buff.ly/Y9AK8sf

This resource was developed in partnership with ACON , AusPATH , and Children by Choice.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

09/11/2025

Why should you come to Naarm (Melbourne) for the 2026 Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference? 📣 Let co-convenors Jason Ong and Jillian Lau tell you!

With the 2030 goal of eliminating HIV transmission fast approaching, will highlight cutting-edge research, practical implementation, and community-led progress shaping the future of HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

will run back-to-back with the Australasian S*xual and Reproductive Health conference, and joint registrations will be available.

Find out more at: https://buff.ly/pyUnBri

06/11/2025

From 1 November 2025, several significant changes have come into effect which will help improve access to contraception in Australia 📢‼️

✅ Increased Medicare rebates for long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) insertion and removal.

✅ 40% bulk billing incentive to reduce out-of-pocket costs associated with LARC procedures and relevant consultations.

✅ New Medicare item numbers which cover nurse practitioners to perform LARC insertion and removal.

✅ NuvaRing (a contraceptive vaginal ring) is now listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

These updates will make contraception more affordable, accessible, and equitable - benefiting the tens of thousands of people already using these methods and supporting greater choice in reproductive healthcare🧡

Find out more at: https://buff.ly/LBinV7r

Australian College of Nurse Practitioners

03/11/2025

In 2026, the Australasian HIV&AIDS and S*xual and Reproductive Health Conferences are coming to Naarm (Melbourne)! 📢🎉

Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to bring together delegates from across Australasia for another year of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and community.

Naarm, here we come! ✨✈️

Find out more at: https://buff.ly/pyUnBri

29/10/2025

Stay up to date with the latest in STIs, BBVs, and sexual and reproductive health with ASHM training and education! 📖🩺

Whether you’re looking to refresh your knowledge or build new skills, our November courses are designed to support healthcare workers in delivering best practice, person-centered care.

Explore all upcoming training at: https://buff.ly/XWSwhtr

29/10/2025

ASHM’s Nursing Policy and Advocacy Lead, Cherie Bennett, recently spoke with CRANAplus about the importance of nurse-led care and how ASHM’s free training and education can support remote health professionals.

Read the full article now at 🔗: https://buff.ly/uCcgo0W

28/10/2025

The ban on hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria in people aged under 18 has been reinstated in Queensland under a new Ministerial Direction, after the original ban was overturned yesterday by the Queensland Supreme Court.

This latest directive is extremely disappointing and disregards the importance of directly involving and consulting with trans and gender diverse adolescents, community, and healthcare executives and professionals. Whilst consultations and reviews take place, it is important that access to vital, evidence-backed gender-affirming healthcare is maintained.

ASHM welcomes the news that the Queensland Supreme Court has overturned a health directive restricting hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria in people aged under 18.

Medical gender-affirming treatment for adolescents can be vital for the quality of life and mental health of trans and gender diverse people. The reversal of this directive is a major step in protecting the healthcare rights and autonomy of young people to access evidence-based treatment.

Read more via QNews: https://buff.ly/1gQcoV7