From the 6 – 8 August 2025, hundreds of delegates came together in Naarm (Melbourne) to share the ‘real people, real action, real results’ happening in viral hepatitis at the 15th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference. Healthcare professionals, community, researchers, and policy makers connected to discuss the vital importance of funded and sustainable community-led solutions.  

Five hepatitis B s100 Prescribers were supported by a scholarship through the ASHM Scholarship Program to travel to, stay, and attend the conference. Scholarships were funded through support from NSW Health, QLD Health, and NT Health. 

Read reflections below from the scholarship recipients on their highlights from the conference, and the key takeaways and lessons they will incorporate into their practice. 

Maria, General Practitioner from Northern Territory 

I had an amazing time at the 15th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference in Melbourne. It was wonderful to see so many like-minded people coming together from around the world. The highlight of this year’s conference was that it was heavily focused on the lived experiences of people with hepatitis B and C. 

I found this an invaluable insight that will change the way that I practice. From thinking closely about the words that I use to considering the multiple impacts of the diagnosis on the individual’s life. I will try to support patients throughout their journey, helping them to navigate possible misconceptions, fears and questions and encourage them to seek support from peers. 

I am excited about the goal to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 and feel like the conference has given us all renewed enthusiasm to do our bit to help achieve this. 

Alexandra, General Practitioner from Queensland 

The Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference 2025 lived up to its theme of “Real Action, Real People, Real Results” and was a powerful reminder that meaningful change requires more than just clinical expertise—it demands genuine collaboration with those who have lived experience. It is essential that those with lived experience must be central to the design, delivery, and evaluation of health services if we are to achieve equity and culturally safe care. 

I was inspired by Dr. Su Wang who demonstrated remarkable courage in sharing her story as both a clinician, advocate and a person living with hepatitis B. Jane Davies’ presentation about the Liver One-Stop-Shop model highlighted the value of specialist outreach teams and how we can integrate services with primary care. Kate Dunn shared an essential Indigenous lens, reminding us that healing must acknowledge colonisation and the importance of connection to country. Nafisa Yussf reframed her advocacy journey as one of seeking equity and cultural safety, rather than just a focus on hepatitis B. 

As a primary care clinician, the question that stays with me is: how can I do better in my day-to-day practice? I can communicate more clearly and respectfully with patients, remove stigma and discrimination as barriers to care and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. 

Esther, Nurse Practitioner from Queensland 

One of the many personal highlights of the conference was listening to Dr Su Wang providing her professional and personal insights into viral hepatitis and how it affects people.  

Key takeaways were that people who are living with or who have been treated for hepatitis are an invaluable source of information and can assist in identifying key areas of improvement within the complex subject of hepatitis. 

I am committed to ensuring that women are able to access equal opportunities for testing and vaccination within our services. It is clear that unsurprisingly they have been left behind certainly in our services when it comes to support, screening and immunisation opportunities. 

Pararajasingam, General Practitioner from New South Wales 

I am a General Practitioner working in an Aboriginal Medical Service located in a rural town. This is my first attendance at a conference on viral hepatitis. 

It was a very informative event. I was able to meet a community of participants including people with lived experience of hepatitis, peer workers who are supporting current patients, nurse practitioners treating patients, scientists involved in viral hepatitis research, social science researchers doing studies about needs of patients affected with viral hepatitis and other clinicians. There were many posters displaying information about scientific research conducted on learning about hepatitis viruses and novel methods of diagnosing and treatment and social research about prevention and stigma associated with viral hepatitis. 

It was also an interactive event, where delegates were involved in group discussions about strategies for the policy of eradication of viral hepatitis by 2030. 

Jana, Registered Nurse from New South Wales 

I came away from the conference with several personal highlights. The opening plenary was truly inspiring—especially Thomas Tu’s presentation—which beautifully set the tone for the event by placing people with lived and living experience at the heart of every discussion. I also found the nurses’ breakfast meeting deeply motivating, as it spotlighted the journeys and insights of nurses involved in research. Charles Henderson’s presentation stood out as a powerful call to action. 

My biggest takeaway was the importance of genuinely engaging with people who have lived and living experience, and allowing their voices to guide our work. I’m committed to advocating for a shift in our service to reflect this approach. Another valuable discovery was the impressive range of resources available. 

The conference has re-energised me, and I’m now looking to connect with members of my regional community who are isolated, to offer hepatitis B education and testing.