

Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia (EC Australia)
Partnering to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030
The Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia (EC Australia) partnership was established in 2019. It brings together people with living and lived experience, community organisations, health services, government, and researchers and implementation scientists to help build a framework for Australia’s response to the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030.
View our partners on this page.
EC Australia is committed to supporting community and health services to increase hepatitis C testing and treatment. We want to maintain high numbers of people accessing hepatitis C testing, treatment and care.
EC Australia is a flagship initiative led by Burnet Institute. Burnet is a global leader in hepatitis C research and implementation science.
Increasing hepatitis C care
Direct-acting antivirals have revolutionised hepatitis C care.
Since becoming available through Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2016, over 100,000 people have been cured of hepatitis C.
The challenge is finding, testing and linking to care the 68,000 Australians who are living with hepatitis C infection.
Our work aims to address this challenge.
Our approach
EC Australia takes a strategic, cohesive and multipronged approach to increase hepatitis C testing and treatment to achieve elimination.
We pride ourselves on bringing together innovative ideas and evidence-based approaches to help solve the hepatitis C challenge.
We value the dedication and passion of community leaders and elders, peers, healthcare workers, and researchers in the EC Australia partnership.
Our collective efforts strengthen our work and progress towards hepatitis C elimination.
Key achievements
During phase 1, we:
- established a network of over 75 partner organisations and provided funding to implement key elimination activities
- delivered the first peer-led national health promotion campaign ‘It’s Your Right’
- funded and supported 21 implementation projects across all jurisdictions
- produced annual reports that monitor our progress towards hepatitis C elimination in Australia
- received $1.25M to deliver first national hepatitis C campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples called ‘Every Yarn Counts’
- mapped policy priorities and coordinated a national advocacy committee
- secured an additional $21M in funding for ECA partners and ongoing hepatitis C projects.
Phase 1 (2019–2022) was funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation. This phase focused on health system strengthening through 5 key components:
- health promotion
- workforce development and health services delivery
- implementation research
- evaluation and surveillance
- Aboriginal health plan.
Phase 2 (2023–2027) is funded by Burnet Institute. This phase reflects an evolution in our public health approach and our progress to hepatitis C elimination, with a targeted emphasis on 3 priority populations and 7 objectives.
Priority populations
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
- People who inject drugs.
- People at risk of liver cancer.
Objectives
- To work in partnership to support priority populations to access hepatitis C care and meet our elimination targets.
- To provide seed funding to support evidence-based models to better engage people who are most affective by hepatitis C and liver cancer.
- To address concerns and barriers to care for priority populations.
- To support capacity building of community organisations/health services.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new models and interventions.
- To address systemic barriers to accessing hep C care through policy and practice change.
- To bring in new funds to support innovation.
- To monitor out progress to elimination (2023–2027).

Student opportunities
Elimination of hepatitis C through rapid testing and treatment in pharmacies
The project aims to explore the role of rapid testing in improving the hepatitis care cascade from infection and diagnosis to treatment and cure.
Students will be involved in implementation trials and evaluation of the effectiveness and acceptability of new rapid HCV diagnosis pathways. The outcomes will help facilitate treatment uptake and improve the quality of care.
Open to
- Masters by research
- Honours
- PhD
Supervisors
Contact
Eliminating hepatitis C infection in Australia through harm reduction, education and treatment scale up
The project aims to explore:
- improved harm reduction strategies
- workforce development and health service delivery
- supports needed for prescribers to start treatment.
The outcomes will help facilitate treatment uptake and improve the quality of care.
Open to
- Masters by research
- Honours
- PhD
Supervisors
Contact
Principal components
Health promotion
We delivered the first peer-led National Health Promotion Campaign It's Your Right, to increase awareness about hepatitis C treatments among people who inject drugs.

Posters from the Its Your Right campaign.
The National Reference Group for It’s Your Right includes representation from partnership organisations: Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL), Harm Reduction Victoria, Hepatitis NSW, NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA), Peer Based Harm Reduction WA, La Trobe University, Burnet Institute and members from the AIVL National Peer Network.
For more information:
- Visit the It's Your Right campaign website.
- View findings from the evaluation of a peer-led national hepatitis C health promotion campaign.
- Learn about how we co-designed ‘It’s Your Right’.
Workforce development
We’ve funded and supported 21 implementation projects across all jurisdictions. These projects focused on reducing structural barriers to accessing hepatitis C testing and treatments and aimed to improve the delivery of health services and the streamlining of the hepatitis C care pathway. A number of these projects went on to secure additional funding respectively, resulting in a total of $21M in additional funding for EC Australia partners and ongoing hepatitis C projects, as a result of their initial work with EC Australia.
Workshops
Four workshops have been delivered to members of the Eliminate hepatitis C Australia (ECA) partnership. The topics and length of these workshops were developed through consultation with project partners participating in ECA. Watch the recordings:
- Workshop 1: How to write a survey for public health
- Workshop 2: Introduction to REDCap
- Workshop 3: How to visually present data
- Workshop 4: Hepatitis C Surveillance 101.
See also on this page:
Implementation research
This component created a partnership with Kirby Institute to prepare national annual reports with the latest hepatitis C data across Australia. The report is called ‘Australia’s progress towards hepatitis C elimination.’
Aboriginal health plan
This strategy cut across the other 4 key components of EC Australia. It supported a holistic, comprehensive and culturally safe approach to hepatitis C care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This stream of work developed the first national hepatitis C campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples called Every Yarn Counts.
Reports
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Australia's progress towards hepatitis C elimination report
These reports measure and monitor trends in new hepatitis C infections, counts of people tested and treated, people receiving hepatitis C‑related liver transplants, and people experiencing stigma and discrimination.
View all reports – Australia's progress towards hepatitis C elimination -
2022 annual report
2022 updates and progress on EC Australia and its components.
2022 annual report [PDF 2.9 MB] -
2021 annual report
2021 updates and progress on EC Australia and its components.
2021 annual report [PDF 977.2 kB]
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2020 annual report
2020 updates and progress on EC Australia and its components.
2020 annual report [PDF 1.2 MB] -
2019 annual report
2019 updates and progress on EC Australia and its components.
2019 annual report [PDF 711.2 kB] -
Using hepatitis C notification data to increase access to hepatitis C treatment and cure in Australia: A formative study
A 2020 report on a study exploring the potential of using jurisdictional hepatitis C notification data to improve treatment uptake in Australia.
Using hepatitis C notification data to increase access to hepatitis C treatment and cure in Australia: A formative study [PDF 1.3 MB] -
Preparing for the future funding of Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia (Executive Summary)
A 2020 discussion paper identifying issues of potential interest to funders beyond the medical research and health sector following phase 1 of the project.
Preparing for the future funding of Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia (Executive Summary) [PDF 4.8 MB]
Authorship guidelines
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Authorship guidelines
This document outlines procedures for producing outputs (research articles, commentary pieces, external-facing reports, conference proceedings) that use data collated under the direction of EC Australia.
Authorship guidelines [PDF 257.7 kB] -
Appendix 1: Manuscript concept sheet template
This concept sheet is a document used to monitor the development of manuscripts and conference abstracts using ECA generated data/ideas.
Appendix 1: Manuscript concept sheet template [DOCX 56.7 kB] -
Appendix 2: Membership list
Appendix 2: Membership list [PDF 296.6 kB]
Workforce development infographics
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Aboriginal Health Council of WA Workforce development project
Working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Western Australia to build hepatitis C capacity.
Aboriginal Health Council Of WA Workforce Development Project [PDF 1.7 MB] -
ASHM workforce development and clinical audit projects
Activating the healthcare workforce to support the elimination of hepatitis C.
ASHM Workforce Development And Clinical Audit Projects [PDF 662.1 kB] -
Cairns Hep C Free project
Increasing testing and treatment outreach in Cairns through incentives and support.
Cairns Hep C Free project [PDF 1.5 MB]
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CHECCS project with the Doherty Institute
Supporting diagnosing clinicians to provide care for Victorians living with hepatitis C through public health follow-up. CHECCS stands for Coordinated Hepatitis responses to Enhance the Cascade of Care by Optimising Existing Surveillance Systems.
Doherty Vic CHECCS [PDF 233.6 kB] -
Hep QLD Community Corrections project
Redefining hepatitis C treatment delivery to fit client needs.
Hep QLD Community Corrections Project [PDF 554.4 kB] -
Hepatitis ACT NP led hepatitis C outreach clinic
A nurse practitioner-led hepatitis C outreach clinic.
Hepatitis ACT NP Led Hepatitis C Outreach Clinic [PDF 1.7 MB] -
Hepatitis WA regional development project
Supporting primary care practices to improve health outcomes for people with hepatitis C in WA.
Hepatitis WA Regional Development Project [PDF 199.7 kB] -
Liverpool Hospital NSW SEARCH-2
A project in NSW with screening/testing tool development and more.
Liverpool Hosp NSW SEARCH 2 [PDF 694.1 kB] -
NSW project SONIC
An incentivised hepatitis C test-and-treat model in NSW Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs).
NSW Project SONIC [PDF 774.7 kB] -
NT Nurse-Peer Partnership project
Enabling access to hepatitis C treatment in a remote setting without visiting the hospital.
NT Nurse Peer Partnership Project [PDF 1.7 MB] -
PBHRWA Hepatitis C PHRE project
The Hepatitis C Peer Harm Reduction Education (Hep C PHRE) project with Peer Based Harm Reduction WA (PBHRWA).
PBHRWA Hepatitis C PHRE Project [PDF 2.5 MB] -
QuIHN Prison Transition Service
Linking people between prison and community services for ongoing treatment and support.
Quihn Prison Transition Servcie [PDF 1.0 MB] -
QuINH peer project
Helping people in Queensland who inject drugs to navigate their hepatitis C testing and treatment journey.
Quinh Peer Project [PDF 189.1 kB] -
SA GP-to-GP education project
Supporting improved screening and treatment in a high incidence area of Adelaide, South Australia.
SA GP To GP Education Project [PDF 1.1 MB]
Practice support toolkits
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Appendix booklet
The appendix booklet contains useful resources referred to in practice support toolkits.
Appendix booklet [PDF 1.9 MB] -
ACT practice support toolkit
Resources for primary care providers in the Australian Capital Territory to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment.
2021 EC Partnership Toolkit Doc ACT Digital [PDF 4.2 MB] -
NSW practice support toolkit
Resources for primary care providers in New South Wales to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment.
2021 EC Partnership Toolkit Doc NSW DIGITAL [PDF 4.2 MB]
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NT practice support toolkit
Resources for primary care providers in the Northern Territory to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment.
EC Toolkit NT 2020 [PDF 5.2 MB] -
QLD practice support toolkit
Resources for primary care providers in Queensland to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment.
2021 EC Partnership Toolkit Doc QLD DIGITAL [PDF 4.1 MB] -
SA practice support toolkit
Resources for primary care providers in South Australia to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment.
2021 EC Partnership Toolkit Doc SA DIGITAL [PDF 5.5 MB] -
TAS practice support toolkit
Resources for primary care providers in Tasmania to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment.
2021 TAS EC Partnership Toolkit [PDF 6.5 MB] -
VIC practice support toolkit
Resources for primary care providers in Victoria to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment.
2021 VIC EC Partnership Toolkit Doc FINAL DIGITAL [PDF 5.4 MB] -
WA practice support toolkit
Resources for primary care providers in Western Australia to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment.
EC Toolkit WA 2020 [PDF 2.9 MB]
Poster presentations
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Findings from the evaluation of a peer-led national hepatitis C health promotion campaign
Results of 'It's Your Right', the first Australia-wide hepatitis C health promotion campaign involving peer workers with living and lived experience of injecting drug use.<br/><br/>The poster includes information about the campaign, evaluation methods, campaign results and conclusions.
Poster Findings From The Evaluation Of A Peer Led National Hepatitis C Health Promotion Campaign [PDF 1.3 MB] -
Co-designing ‘It’s Your Right’, a peer-led hepatitis C health promotion campaign for people who inject drugs
This poster describes the process of developing It's Your Right, the first Australia-wide hepatitis C health promotion campaign involving peer workers with living and lived experience of injecting drug use.<br/><br/>The poster includes co-design methods and process, feedback on the process and recommendations for future co-design activities.
Poster - Co-designing It’s Your Right, a peer-led hepatitis C health promotion campaign for people who inject drugs [PDF 959.5 kB]
Recordings and webinars
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EC Australia showcase
The showcase was held between 9 and 10 November 2022.
Day 1 recordings on YouTube Day 2 recordings on YouTube -
ASHM and EC Australia: eliminating hepatitis C during COVID-19
Melinda Hassall from ASHM discusses her organisation's success in moving face-to-face BBV and STI training online during COVID-19 restrictions.
ASHM and EC Australia video -
QuIHN and EC Australia: Eliminating hepatitis C during COVID-19
Esha Leyden, peer harm reduction worker at Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) shares how she has consulted with hepatitis C patients over the phone during COVID-19 restrictions, and how she ensures they got onto treatment.
QuIHN and EC Australia video
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TasCAHRD and EC Australia: eliminating hepatitis C during COVID-19
Robert Johnston from the Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis and Related Diseases (TasCAHRD) discusses how his organisation has pivoted to deliver hepatitis C education via Zoom, and the success of this initiative.
TasCAHRD and EC Australia video -
SHST and EC Australia: eliminating hepatitis C during COVID-19
Megan Hughes and Karen Moore from Sexual Health Service Tasmania (SHST) discuss the success of running hepatitis C testing days at a local needle and syringe program in the greater Hobart region, where many patients feared the stigma of visiting a general practitioner or don't tend to engage with GPs.
SHST and EC Australia video -
Other recordings
View more videos and recordings on the EC Australia YouTube channel.
EC Australia on YouTube -
Workshop series
Four workshops have been delivered to members of the Eliminate Hepatitis C (EC) Australia partnership. The topics and length of these workshops were developed through consultation with project partners participating in ECA.
Workshop 1: How to write a survey Workshop 2: Introduction to REDCap Workshop 3: How to visually present data Workshop 4: Hepatitis C surveillance 101
Partners
Partners (A-M)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service
- Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia
- Aboriginal Health Services TAS
- Aboriginal Victoria
- ACT Health
- Alfred Health
- Alfred Hospital
- Australasian Society for HIV Medicine
- Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations
- Australian Hepatology Association
- Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League
- Australian Medical Association
- Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association
- Barwon Health
- Cairns Sexual Health Service
- Canberra Alliance of Harm Minimisation and Advocacy
- Centre for Social Research in Health
- Country SA Primary Health Network
- Danila Dilba Health Service
- Department of Health NSW
- Department of Health NT
- Department of Health QLD
- Department of Health TAS
- Department of Health WA
- Department of Health and Human Services VIC
- Doherty Institute
- East Melbourne Primary Health Care Collaborative
- Gastroenterological Society of Australia
- Harm Reduction Victoria
- Health Central Adelaide
- Hepatitis ACT
- Hepatitis Australia
- Hepatitis NSW
- Hepatitis QLD
- Hepatitis SA
- Hepatitis VIC
- Hepatitis WA
- Hunter New England Local Health District
- Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
- Kirby Institute
- Kirketon Road Centre
- La Trobe University
- Liverpool Hospital
- Menzies School of Health Research
- Monash University
Partners (N–Z)
- Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council
- NSW Users and AIDS Association
- Peer-Based Harm Reduction WA
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
- Princess Margaret Hospital
- Queensland Injectors for Advocacy and Action
- Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Royal Perth Hospital
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
- SA Health
- Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses Evaluation Network (SIREN)
- Social Policy Research Centre
- South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
- TasCAHRD
- Tasmania Statewide Sexual Health Service
- Tasmanian Users Health and Support League
- Telethon Kids
- University of Melbourne
- University of NSW
- University of Queensland
- University of Sydney
- VHITTAL Committee of the North West Melbourne PHN
- Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
- WA Primary Health Alliance
- Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies
- Youth Link
- You Yangs Medical Clinic
Funding partners
- Paul Ramsay Foundation (2018-2022)
- Commonwealth Department of Health (‘It’s Your Right’ and ‘Every Yarn Counts’ campaigns)(2021- 2022)
- Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (It’s Your Right)( 2025-2026)
- Burnet Institute (2023-2027)
Project contacts
Main contacts

Associate Professor Alisa Pedrana
Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia Coordinator

Professor Margaret Hellard AM
Deputy Director, Programs; Adjunct Professor, Monash University, DEPM.
Student supervisor contacts

Professor Joseph (Joe) Doyle
Deputy Program Director, Disease Elimination; Co-Head, Infectious Diseases Clinical Research; President, Hepatitis Australia; NHMRC Clinical Research Fellow
Project team

Associate Professor Alisa Pedrana
Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia Coordinator; Deputy Discipline Head, Public Health

Professor Margaret Hellard AM
Primary Investigator and Technical Lead, Implementation Research; Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University

Professor Joseph (Joe) Doyle
Technical Lead, Workforce Development and Health Services Delivery; President, Hepatitis Australia

Paul Armstrong
Co-Lead, Policy and Advocacy

Troy Combo
Program Manager, Aboriginal Health Plan

Emily Adamson
Program Manager, Health Promotion

Freya Saich
Lead Policy Officer, Implementation Research

Dr Jacqui Richmond
Program Manager, Workforce Development and Health Services Delivery

Professor Mark A Stoové
Technical Lead, Evaluation and Surveillance; Head of Public Health

Dr Anna Wilkinson
Research Fellow

Associate Professor Nick Scott
Head, Modelling and Biostatistics Group; Evaluation and Surveillance

Associate Professor Jessica Howell
Co-Head, Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer; Senior Research Fellow

Stephanie Franet
Project Manager

Shannon Christensen
Research Assistant

Nicole Matthews
Research Coordinator, Connect C

Dr Joshua Ginnane
Public Health Registrar

Dr Thi Nguyen
Data Manager

Dr Daisy Gibbs
Senior Evaluation and Research Officer
