Where to find needle and syringe programs in WA

Peer Based Harm Reduction WA – Peer Based Harm Reduction WA (formerly WA Substance Users’ Association (WASUA)) is a peer-based organisation which primarily provides fixed-site needle and syringe exchange programs (NSEP) for people who inject drugs, in Perth and Bunbury as well as a mobile service in the south west.

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:

• a health clinic for blood-borne virus (HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C) and sexually transmissible infections testing
• hepatitis A and B vaccinations
• outreach services
• peer education on safer drug use and hepatitis C
• 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.

Fixed site needle and syringe exchange

Perth

• Location: Suite 22, 7 Aberdeen Street, Perth 6000
• 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
• Phone: (08) 9791 6699
• Days/times:
  • Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 3.00pm

Health clinic

Perth

• Location: Suite 22, 7 Aberdeen Street, Perth 6000
• Phone: (08) 9325 8387

Days/times: Monday, Tuesday 10.00am – 4.00pm; Thursday 1.00pm – 4.00pm
Perth Clinic Outreach: Every second Wednesday 

Bunbury 

• Location: 97 Spencer Street, Bunbury, WA 6230
• Phone: (08) 9791 6699
• Days/times:
  • Tuesday and Thursday 10:00am – 2:00pm
  • Saturday 10:00am – 12:30pm with a Registered Nurse

Mobile clinic

Manjimup and Margaret River/Busselton with a Nurse Practitioner every four weeks. (Please call (08) 9791 6699 for the next available date.)

Blood tests are available for blood borne viruses on request in all areas of the Southwest from Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 3.00pm from our phlebotomist.

Mobile needle and syringe exchange – south west WA

Phone: 0418 739 372

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 – 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 7507
• 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 Campus, Clive St, Katanning WA 6317
• 9821 6846
• Hours: 
  • Monday to Friday 12:00pm to 4:00pm

The Pilbara Public Health Unit 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.

Fixed site needle and syringe exchange – Pilbara WA

• 2-34 Colebatch Way, South Hedland WA 6722
• 91741350
• hours
  • Wednesday to Friday 9am to 4pm

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, 9.00am – 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 – 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.

Beaufort St Pharmacy (Beaufort Chemist)

• 647 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley
• Phone: 9328 7775
• Open 7am – 2am

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 Health operational directive (external site) to distribute injecting equipment through their accident and emergency department outside of the hours the local pharmacy is open.

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 and Northam hospitals.