More than 220,000 Australians are currently living with hepatitis B, but experts say, 1 in 4 remain undiagnosed — without treatment, the virus can lead to liver cirrhosis or cancer.
“We will not eliminate hepatitis B or reduce liver cancer deaths without universal testing for people over 25,” says Hepatitis Australia CEO Lucy Clynes.
“Hepatitis B is often symptomless until it’s too late.
“Diagnosis unlocks access to simple, effective treatment that protects the liver and prevents cancer.
“But people can’t get care if they don’t know they’re living with this virus.”
The call for expanded testing is grounded in the federal government’s own draft Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy.
The Strategy outlines how Australia can meet its ambitious goal to eliminate hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030 and is due to be released soon.
To achieve this, 90% of people living with hepatitis B must be diagnosed and 80% engaged in care.
Currently, only 73% are diagnosed, and less than a quarter are in regular care.
The Strategy acknowledges that testing based on risk factors alone has failed to lift diagnosis rates meaningfully in the past decade.
It explicitly supports population-wide testing offers as a path forward.
“Most people with hepatitis B got it at birth or in early childhood and have no idea they carry the virus,” says Ms Clynes.
“These people aren’t being reached through current risk-based approaches.
“We commend the federal government for its national, strategic approach and for the ongoing investment in viral hepatitis.
“A universal offer of testing is the critical next step in hepatitis B elimination.”
