Where to find needle and syringe programs in WA

Peer Based Harm Reduction WA – Peer Based Harm Reduction WA is a peer based non-profit organisation which primarily provides needle and syringe exchange programs (NSEP) for people who inject drugs, with fixed sites in Perth and Bunbury, a mobile NSEP service in the South West, and outreach NSEP throughout the greater Perth Metro area and the South West Region.

These NSEPs also provide facilities for the safe disposal of used injecting equipment. Provision of needles, syringes, barrels and tips is free on exchange or at a low cost without equipment to exchange.

Other services include:

• health clinics in Perth and the South West for blood-borne virus HIV, hepatitis Band hepatitis C) and sexually transmissible infections testing
• treatment for hepatitis C and sexually transmitted infections
• hepatitis A and B vaccinations
• outreach services delivering NSEP in the community
• a state-wide postal NSP service
• peer education on safer drug use and hepatitis C
• an overdose prevention and take home naloxone (THN) program (including a statewide postal THN service)
• referral to health and drug treatment services for people who inject drugs
• training and education for health professionals and community groups.

Visit the Peer Based Harm Reduction WA website (external site) for more information on its services, or phone during business hours (contact details below).

Needle and syringe exchange

Fixed sites

Perth

• Location: Suite 22, 7 Aberdeen Street, Perth 6000 (maps link)
• Phone: (08) 9325 8387
• Days/times:
  • 10.00am to 5.00pm – Monday to Friday
  • 1.00pm to 4.00pm – Saturday and Sunday
  • Closed Public Holidays

Bunbury

• Location: 97 Spencer Street, (entry via Rose Street), Bunbury 6230 (maps link)
• Phone: (08) 9791 6699
• Days/times:
  • 10.00am to 3.00pm - Monday to Friday
  • Closed Public Holidays

Statewide postal needle and syringe program and postal naloxone service

Call (08) 9325 8387 during Perth Fixed Site opening hours to arrange a postal order. Free standard post for up to 500 pieces of equipment.

Mobile needle and syringe exchange – South West WA

Phone: 0418 739 372

Outreach needle and syringe exchange – Perth Metro Area and South West Region

If you can’t come to us, we can come to you. NOTE: this is not an “on-call” service; booking ahead is essential.

Perth Metro Area- Tuesday to Friday call (08) 9325 8387 or text 0418 946 706

South West Region- Monday to Friday call (08) 9791 6699 or text 0418 739 372

Health clinics

No appointment is required, but it is best to phone ahead to check the nurse is in.

Perth

• Location: Suite 22, 7 Aberdeen Street, Perth 6000
• Phone: (08) 9325 8387 to check the nurse is in.
Days/times: Monday-Thursday 10.00am – 4.00pm

Bunbury

• Location: 97 Spencer Street, Bunbury, WA 6230
• Phone: (08) 9791 6699 to check the nurse is in
Days/times: Monday-Wednesday 10:00am – 3:00pm

Mobile Health Clinics

Perth Metro Area

• Call (08) 9325 8387 to find out Mobile Health Clinic locations

Bunbury and South West Region

• Call (08) 9791 6699 to find out Mobile Health Clinic locations

The WAAC provides a needle and syringe exchange program (NSEP) that distributes equipment and information on safer sexual and injecting practices at:

• mobile sites in the metropolitan and outer metropolitan area
• fixed sites in Fremantle and West Perth.

These NSEPs also provide facilities for the safe disposal of used injecting equipment. Provision of needles, syringes, barrels and tips is free on exchange or at a low cost without equipment to exchange.

WAAC also provides a number of services to enhance the quality of life of people living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS, including:

• education
• counselling
• advocacy
• support
• care services.

For more information on its services visit the WAAC website (external site).

Fixed site needle and syringe exchange

West Perth

• 664 Murray Street, West Perth
• Phone: (08) 9482 0000
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm

Fremantle

• Fremantle Hospital, Block A, 65 South Terrace, Fremantle
• Phone:9431 3318
• Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 12.00pm to 3.00pm

Mobile needle and syringe exchange – metropolitan Perth

When temperatures reach 37 °C and above these sites may not operate. Please ring 0417 093 537 to check services.

Please note there are no services on public holidays.

HepatitisWA has a needle and syringe program (NSP) providing free injecting equipment to clients. This service is based in Northbridge, Perth and is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm.

• Location: 134 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge
• Phone: 9227 9800, Helpline - 9328 8538 (or 1800 800 070 from country areas)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 4.30pm

HepatitisWA also provides:

• information and support for people at risk of, or affected by or living with viral hepatitis
• helpline telephone service and web chat service
• health promotion and community education initiatives to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and its impact
• advocacy for people experiencing stigma and discrimination related to their viral hepatitis status
• clinical services for people living with chronic viral hepatitis, or who may be at risk
• educational and clinical resources for professionals and the community
• workforce development, training and education tailored to workplace needs.

Visit HepatitisWA (external site) for more information on its services.

Goldfields Population Health is based in Kalgoorlie and offers a range of injecting equipment (variety of barrels, tips, butterflies, filters, etc) as well as a disposal service for used equipment.

Fixed site needle and syringe exchange – Goldfields WA

• Rear of Population Health Building, 36-42 Ware Street, South Kalgoorlie (entrance via Hopetoun Street)
• Phone: (08) 9080 8200
• Hours:
  • Monday, Thursday and Friday, (9.00am – 12.pm & 1.00pm – 4.30pm)

Great Southern Population Health Unit Albany

The Great Southern Population Health Unit is based in Albany and offers a range of injecting equipment (variety of barrels, tips, butterflies, filters, etc) as well as a disposal service for used equipment.

• 61 Serpentine Road, Albany WA 6330
• 9842 7508
• Hours: 
  • Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Katanning Health Campus NSEP

The Katanning Health Campus NSEP is based in Katanning and offers a range of injecting equipment (variety of barrels, tips, butterflies, filters, etc) as well as a disposal service for used equipment.

• Katanning Health Service,11-31 Kobeelya Avenue, Katanning, WA 6317
• (08) 9821 6846
• Hours: 
  • Monday to Thursday 12:00pm to 3:00pm

The fixed site needle and syringe exchange is based in South Hedland and offers a range of injecting equipment (variety of barrels, tips, butterflies, filters, etc) as well as a disposal service for used equipment.

• Address: 13 Collier Drive, South Hedland, WA 6722
• Phone: (08) 9174 1507
• Hours: Wednesday to Friday 9am to 4pm

The fixed site needle and syringe exchange is based in Broome and offers a range of injecting equipment (variety of barrels, tips, butterflies, filters, etc) as well as a disposal service for used equipment.

• Corner Anne and Robinson Streets, Broome, WA 6725
• (08) 9194 2328
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm

The Midwest Community Alcohol and Drug Service (MCADS) is based in Geraldton and offers a range of injecting equipment (variety of barrels, tips, butterflies, filters, etc.) as well as a disposal service for used equipment.

Fixed site needle and syringe exchange – Midwest WA

• Community Health Building, 51-85 Shenton Street, Geraldton
• Phone: 9956 2424
• Hours:
  • Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm

Palmerston Mandurah is based at the South Metropolitan Community Drug Service and offers a range of equipment on a one-for-one exchange basis or for a minimal cost.

Fixed site needle and syringe exchange

• 91 Alnutt Street, Mandurah WA 6210
• Phone: 9581 4010
• Hours:
  • Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm- 3.00pm 

Visit Palmerston website (external site) for more information its services.

Many pharmacies throughout Western Australia sell needles and syringes in packs. Pharmacies do not accept or exchange used equipment.

Many pharmacies are open for extended trading hours. You may want to check your local pharmacy opening hours and if they sell needles and syringes. See: Maps of NSPs across WA (external site). 

Cockburn Super Clinic Pharmacy

Offers free injecting equipment to clients through a needle and syringe program (NSP). This service is based in Cockburn, Success. 

• 11 Wentworth Parade, Success WA 6164 (Ground Floor, Unit 2)
• Phone: 08 9414 3851
• Email: info@csclinicpharmacy.com.au
• Open hours: 
  • Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm
  • Saturday 9am – 5pm
  • Sundays and public holidays closed

Visit the website (external site) for more information on services.

All regional hospitals and health services with an accident and emergency department are required by a WA Country Health Service facilities Policy (external site) to distribute injecting equipment through their accident and emergency department – outside of the hours the local pharmacy is open at a minimum

Needle and syringe dispensing machines (NSDMs) operate at some hospital sites in WA, and provide access to free sterile needles and syringes.

NSDMs are located at Busselton, Carnarvon, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Tambellup and Northam hospitals.