From 1 September 2026, the prescriber accreditation requirement for hepatitis B medicines under the PBS Section 100 (s100) Highly Specialised Drugs Program will be removed. As a result, all medical and authorised nurse practitioners will be able to prescribe hepatitis B antiviral treatment without additional specialist accreditation. ASHM is currently updating its website, education and resources to reflect this change.
Supporting in-country partners to prevent parent-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B through testing, treatment and vaccination at birth.
2022 – Ongoing
The Supporting Triple Elimination in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste (STEPT) project supports efforts to achieve the ‘triple elimination’ of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B via parent-to-child transmission in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.
As of July 2025, the STEPT project has partnered with Formosa Community Health Centre in Timor Leste and Catholic Church Health Services in Papua New Guinea to:
HIV testing of pregnant women attending Formosa Community Health Centre during their first antenatal care visit increased to 80%. All women identified as living with HIV or having syphilis through this testing began prompt treatment.
100 health workers have received training on healthcare practices supporting triple elimination. 121 health workers have participated in clinical mentoring so far, with nine clinical mentors trained to continue providing guidance locally.
Further insights into the impact of the STEPT project so far can be found in the STEPT Midterm Review (July 2025).
In Dili, Timor Leste, STEPT has had a transformational effect on Formosa Community Health Centre (Formosa CHC)’s antenatal services, where the project’s implementation is supported by local partner Maluk Timor.
Midwives involved in the STEPT project feel more capable of caring for women with HIV and syphilis throughout pregnancy and childbirth, and of safeguarding the health of babies.