Pin prick test will reduce HIV infection

A new rapid test for HIV will increase the number of people being tested for the disease and reduce the risk of transmission, Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek says.

Ms Plibersek on Monday announced the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had approved for marketing the Alere Determine Combo HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab test, which will give people a preliminary result within 30 minutes.

Ms Plibersek said the pin prick test would mean people newly infected with HIV can quickly access treatment, while the risk of infecting others would also be decreased.

"This test doesn't replace the importance of safe sex practices and other harm reduction strategies in Australia," Ms Plibersek told reporters in Sydney.

"What it does though is increase the likelihood that people will come in for a test, and increase the likelihood they'll be tested frequently.

"Early diagnosis of any illness, means earlier treatment.

"It is also very important for people to know their HIV status because we also reduce the risk of transmission."

The current antibody tests can take between two weeks and three months.

Ms Plibersek said TGA approval had come with strict accreditation conditions to ensure clinics carrying out the tests were trained to not only offer people medical help, but counselling if needed.

She said sexual health clinics were best placed to undertake the tests, but envisaged that over time and with training, GPs would also provide the service.

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Pin prick test will reduce HIV infection