Information for needle and syringe program (NSP) providers

Needle and syringe programs (NSPs) are a public health measure that aim to reduce the transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C by providing sterile injecting equipment to injecting drug users.

Consumer information on HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C is available from Healthy WA.

NSPs can also provide:

• health and safer injecting information
• referrals to drug treatment, blood-borne virus testing and treatment
• referrals to legal and social services.

To operate an NSP, government and non-government organisations require an NSP approval under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 (external site) and the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 (external site)

NSP operational and administrative information is available here:

• Why needle and syringe programs (NSP) are necessary
• How to obtain a needle and syringe program (NSP) approval
• Duties of a needle and syringe program (NSP) coordinator
• Needle and Syringe Program Guidelines – see Sexual Health and Blood-borne Viruses for NSP related guidelines
• Needle and Syringe Program provision from WA Country Health Service facilities Policy (external site)
• Online needle and syringe program (NSP) orientation and training package (external site)
• Online needle and syringe program (NSP) orientation and training package for pharmacies (external site) 

NSP resources

• Government and non-government agencies may order NSP printed resources free of charge. To order resources, please visit the online publication ordering system (external site).
• ACE (Access, Care and Empowerment) is a mobile app for people who inject drugs to help reduce harm to themselves and others
• Needle and syringe safe disposal poster (PDF 1MB)

More information

For more information contact:

Needle and syringe program (NSP)
Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program
Department of Health, Western Australia
PO Box 8172
PERTH BUSINESS CENTRE WA 6849
Phone: 9222 2355
Email: NSP@health.wa.gov.au