Regional Services Map

Our ACON Regional Services map will help you find local sexual health clinics (orange pin), LGBTIQ+ community groups (rainbow pin), Aboriginal community health services (Aboriginal flag pin) and the services offered at each of our ACON offices.

Any questions or updates can be sent to regionaloutreach@acon.org.au

Care Coordination Regional NSW

Our Care Coordinators are allied health professionals who can help clients with multiple and/or complex needs to:

• Access relevant healthcare services
• Increase their ability to manage their care and treatment
• Reduce social isolation

Needs may include:

• HIV
• Sexual health
• Mental health
• Alcohol and/or drug use
• Housing
• Family/domestic violence
• Finances
• Legal
• Navigating access to NDIS

Care coordinators work with clients over 3 months to develop a care plan and provide support to help clients achieve their goals and meet their needs

The service is FREE and confidential.

Priority is given to people with HIV, and people at risk or affected by HIV

Our Care Coordinators are based in Newcastle and Lismore. However, this service is available state-wide via telehealth.

To access this service, you will need to undergo a brief assessment in person or over the phone.

For more information or to undertake a brief assessment please contact our Hunter or Northern Rivers offices or submit an enquiry.

Counselling Regional NSW

We provide FREE and confidential short-term counselling (up to 12 sessions) for:

• People living with HIV
• People at risk of HIV
• People affected by HIV (e.g. partners, family and friends).
• People testing for HIV
• LGBTQ+ people
• Trans and gender diverse people
• LGBTQ+ people experiencing suicidal distress
• Substance support (support in relation to the use of alcohol and other drugs)
• Domestic and family violence

We prioritise:

• People newly diagnosed with HIV
• Financially disadvantaged people
• People experiencing health or relationship needs related to HIV
• People experiencing the effects of a recent trauma, domestic/family violence or homophobic/transphobic violence

Counsellors use a solutions focused model drawing on a range of approaches to best meet the needs of individuals and couples

To access this service, you will need to undergo a brief assessment in person or over the phone.

For more information or to undertake a brief assessment please contact your nearest ACON office or submit an enquiry.

State-Wide Mental Health Peer Work

Mental Health Peer work is a form of specialist mental health support, provided by a person who shares a lived experience with a client. Lived experience is an umbrella term that captures a diverse range of experiences or specialities as we like to call it.

At ACON the Mental Health Peer Work Team offer two specialities:  Suicide Prevention and Trans mental health wellbeing. Peer Workers support clients by drawing on their own lived experience to provide collaborative non-clinical mentorship, advocacy, system navigation support, community connection, and solidarity.

Our Peer Team has a collective 20 years of professional experience and many of them have extensive experience of advocating and supporting people within their own community networks. They aim to walk alongside you, working with and not for. They staunchly believe in the concept of nothing about me without me.  As they acknowledge that they gain valuable insight and wisdom from those that they work with every day.

Peer work is not a replacement for other mental health supports such as counselling, psychology and is not about psychological intervention or treatment. But rather another type of support that often works well alongside traditional mental health supports, for wraparound care.

Outside the specialities offered, our Peer Workers may share a lived experience of:

• Complex mental health
• Complex trauma
• Institutionalisation
• AOD use
• Homelessness
• Domestic and Family Violence
• Disability and/or chronic health issues
• Neurodiversity

Peer Workers typically offer support to clients over 3 months.

This service can take place online or via phone anywhere in NSW or face-to-face in Newcastle or Lismore.

To access this service, you will need to undergo a brief assessment in person or over the phone.

For more information or to undertake a brief assessment please contact your nearest ACON office or submit an enquiry.

Needle and Syringe Program Regional NSW

Through our Needle & Syringe Program (NSP), we provide FREE sterile injecting equipment and health promotion services to people who inject drugs. This helps reduce the transmission of blood borne viruses such HIV and Hep C and other related injecting related risks.

Our NSPs provide the following:

• FREE sterile injecting equipment
• Disposal of used equipment
• Access to advice, support and relevant health information (e.g. HIV, Hep C, Safer practices)
• Referral to internal and external services
• Access to condoms
• Take Home Naloxone Program
• Testing Clinic
• NSP Outreach service

Our NSPs are located at our offices in Newcastle and Lismore.

Needle and Syringe Program Outreach Service

Are you a person who injects drugs? Would you like easier access to sterile injecting equipment and related services? For eligible clients, our peer-led Needle Syringe Program (NSP) outreach service provides:

• Home delivery of sterile injecting equipment
• Collection of used biohazards ‘sharps’ containers
• Information on accessing home self-testing kits for Hepatitis C and HIV
• Information and referrals to support services

This service is available for people who live in Maitland, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie local government areas who also meet our eligibility criteria

To find out if you are eligible for this service, contact us using your preferred option: • Scan the QR code with your smartphone’s camera and complete the online registration form

• SMS or phone our peer NSP outreach worker on 0400 890 150
• Email us at HunterNSP@acon.org.au
• Visit us at ACON Hunter, 129 Maitland Road, Islington
• Call our office on 02 4962 7700

Sexual Health Clinic Regional NSW

We provide a FREE community-based HIV and STI screening service for gay, bi and queer men (cis and trans), their sexual partners, sex workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who inject drugs, and people at risk of HIV in Newcastle.

This service is an outreach of the Pacific Clinic (Hunter New England Local Health District’s Sexual Health Clinic).

This clinic is a DROP-IN Clinic and cannot take appointments, operating on:

• Tuesday’s           3:30 pm – 6pm
• Thursday’s        11:30 am – 6pm

We highly recommend calling before attending this clinic so we can advise you with current wait times 02 4962 7700

Regional Outreach

ACON provides outreach to regional areas of NSW to extend the reach of our services, campaigns and health messages.  We seek to provide a regular connection and build relationships with regional LGBTQ+ communities and people with HIV. Our outreach teams visit regularly to:

• Promote HIV and sexual health testing, treatment and care
• Provide safe sex information and resources
• Promote a positive experience of sexual health
• Deliver information and education about HIV, sexual health, the LGBTQ+ experience and LGBTQ+ health
• Support referrals to appropriate services within ACON and locally
• Advocate for an informed, healthy, resilient and inclusive LGBTQ+ community

If you are in the Northern Rivers or Mid North Coast Regions

Please contact: northernrivers@acon.org.au

If you are in the Hunter, New England, Central West NSW or Central Coast regions

Please contact:  hunter@acon.org.au

If you are in Southern NSW, Far West NSW, the Hawkesbury, Nepean or Blue Mountains regions

Please contact: regionaloutreach@acon.org.au

LGBTQ+ Pride Festivals Across NSW

Many cities and towns across New South Wales have LGBTQ+ Pride festivals showcasing their unique local LGBTQ+ arts, culture and communities. Look out for ACON’s team at the events, and find out more about our work in Regional NSW here.

Mark your calendars! NSW’s Pride Festivals are listed below, in order of the months of the year they traditionally take place. This page can be updated as new information comes in. For additions and inquiries, contact regionaloutreach@acon.org.au.

Tropical Fruits – Lismore – New Years
Held every year since 1988, this elaborate New Years Eve festival runs over four days around Lismore in northern New South Wales, providing creative, welcoming and fun opportunities to celebrate in the beautiful Rainbow Region. Info at TropicalFruits.org.au.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – Feb/Mar
Sydney’s huge and world-famous Mardi Gras features a huge array of events so suit every taste and style. Look out for ACON’s stall at Fair Day and our float in the Mardi Gras Parade! More info at MardiGras.org.au.

Rainbow City Festival – Orange – March
The Rainbow Festival transforms the city of Orange into a colourful celebration promoting diversity and inclusivity. Visit the Orange City Council website for all the details.

Pride in the Park – Moruya, South Coast – June
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in the Eurobodalla Shire with a free family day at Moruya Riverside Park. Live music, self-expression, learning and resources, community, fun activities, yoga, art and more. See all Queerobodalla events here.

Rainbow on the River – Laurieton – June
Rainbow on the River aims to raise the visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities on the Mid North Coast of NSW. More details here.

Tamworth Pride – Tamworth – July
Tamworth Pride is an annual festival that takes place in Tamworth Castle Grounds every year, to celebrate and promote inclusivity, equality and diversity between the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Info at TamworthPride.org.

Winter Blooming Festival – Armidale – July

The Winter Blooming Festival is a vibrant, inclusive arts and cultural event held in Armidale, New South Wales, celebrating First Nations, multicultural, and LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies. Program details coming here.

Rainbow in the Outback – Broken Hill – September
A bold celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride and visibility in Broken Hill, shining a light on community, resilience, and joy in regional New South Wales. Find all the details on RainbowInTheOutback.com.

Lake Macquarie Pride – September
Lake Macquarie Pride is an initiative of Newcastle Pride Inc, aiming to showcase to locals and visitors that Lake Macquarie is a city of diversity, culture and beauty. Discover more via its Facebook group.

Leeton Rainbow Pride – Leeton – September/October
A safe space for queer members and allies in Leeton to connect, converse and have fun – providing information, social groups and activities in Leeton. Find out more on the Leeton Ranbow Pride Facebook page.

Coastal Twist Arts & Culture Festival – Central Coast – September/October
Central Coast NSW’s annual arts-based weekend festival. Burst into spring with a bumper weekend of Queer happenings from cabaret night and dance party to Fair Day & the “Puparazzi” Pooch Parade. Coastal Twist is the ultimate Queer Spring into Spring weekend getaway. Find out more at CoastalTwist.org.au.

Newcastle Pride Festival NSW – October
Newcastle’s annual Pride Festival showcases to locals and visitors that Newcastle is a city of diversity, culture and beauty. Find out more at NewcastlePride.com.au.

Parramatta Pride Picnic – October
Created by ACON, this is a massive day of community and pride in western Sydney, packed with community stalls, a rainbow kids activation area, dog shows, food trucks, Q&A panels, drag queens, dancers, buskers, choirs, a fully licenced area for purchasing craft beers and wine, a charity sausage sizzle, music, performances, exhibitions and a chill zone. Keep on eye on @parrapridepicnic on Instagram for announcements!

Rainbow on the Plains Festival – Hay – November
The Rainbow on the Plains is a festival of fun, support, inclusion and celebration of LGBTQIA+ community, people from culturally diverse communities and anyone who loves to celebrate inclusion. See festival details here.

Far South Coast Rainbow Wave Festival – Pambula – November
A youth led LGBTQ+ pride event on Yuin Country in the Bega Valley. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

Tropical Fruits – Lismore – New Years
Held every year since 1988, this elaborate New Years Eve festival runs over four days around Lismore in northern New South Wales, providing creative, welcoming and fun opportunities to celebrate in the beautiful Rainbow Region. Info at TropicalFruits.org.au.

Local Regional Community Info Guides

These guides are designed to be shared online and printed. To add or edit a listing please contact ACON Regional Outreach on 02 9206 2113 or regionaloutreach@acon.org.au

Hunter Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Resources

These guides can be shared online and printed. For more information contact ACON Hunter on 02 4962 7700 or hunter@acon.org.au.

• Arabic

• Chinese (Simplified)

• Chinese (Traditional)

• Dari

• English

• Macedonian

• Pashto

Regional PrEP guides

ACON is compiling localised Community PrEP Guides to help community members living in regional NSW navigate the local healthcare system. We are contacting GPs in regional NSW who are/would be interested in prescribing PrEP and who would like to be included in these guides.

What is PrEP?

As of 2018, a combination treatment of antiretroviral medications tenofovir & emtricitabine was placed on the PBS as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), available to HIV-negative community members at higher risk of acquiring HIV. Any GP is able to prescribe PrEP as per the clinical guidelines set by the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM)

Why do we need localised Community PrEP Guides?

As not all GPs prescribe PrEP, the purpose of compiling the Community PrEP Guide is to provide community members with a list of clinics where they can access PrEP in their local area. We aim to reduce the barriers faced by community members when accessing this medication by assisting them in navigating the health system whilst making informed decisions regarding their health.

Community PrEP Guides currently available:

• South East NSW
• Wagga Wagga
• Blue Mountains

ACON Northern Rivers

Widjabul Wia-bal Country
Suite 4P Conway Court,
17 Conway Street,
Lismore 2480
(next to Lismore Post Office and near Lismore Memorial Baths)

Office Hours:
9am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Tel: 02 6622 1555
Freecall: 1800 063 060
Email: northernrivers@acon.org.au

To ensure the health and wellbeing of our clients, staff and volunteers, the following COVID-Safe guidelines are in place for all visitors to ACON offices and sites:

• Do not visit if you are currently diagnosed with COVID-19
• Do not visit if you are unwell or have a dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, high temperature or fever, body aches or pains
• Practise good hygiene – hand sanitiser is provided at all ACON offices and sites

ACON Hunter

ACON Hunter

129 Maitland Road
Islington 2296

Office Hours:

• 9am-5pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• 9am-6pm Tuesday, Thursday

Tel: 02 4962 7700
Freecall: 1800 063 060
Email: hunter@acon.org.au

Important Notice for ACON Visitors

To ensure the health and wellbeing of our clients, staff and volunteers, the following COVID-Safe guidelines are in place for all visitors to ACON offices and sites:

• Do not visit if you are currently diagnosed with COVID-19
• Do not visit if you are unwell or have a dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, high temperature or fever, body aches or pains
• Practise good hygiene – hand sanitiser is provided at all ACON offices and sites

ACON Regional Outreach

Southern and Far West Regions
Tel: 02 9206 2114 | 1800 063 060
Email: regionaloutreach@acon.org.au