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Australia has taken a significant step towards eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat, with the launch of the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2025–2030 and the Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2025–2030.
Announced on 27 March 2026 by the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, the strategies set an ambitious national path to virtually eliminate new infections by 2030 while reducing hepatitis-related illness and deaths.
The strategies build on strong progress in vaccination and treatment access, but recognise that hepatitis B and C remain leading causes of liver disease and liver cancer in Australia. Persistent challenges—including late diagnosis, stigma, and inequitable access to care—continue to impact outcomes, particularly for priority populations.
Developed through extensive consultation, including people with lived experience, the strategies focus on six key areas: education and prevention; testing, treatment and management; equitable access to care; a skilled workforce; reducing stigma and discrimination; and strengthening data, surveillance and research.
The hepatitis B strategy emphasises vaccination, early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring, while the hepatitis C strategy prioritises identifying undiagnosed individuals and supporting access to curative treatment.
Led by the Australian Centre for Disease Control, implementation will be supported through national partnerships across government, healthcare and community sectors to accelerate progress over the next five years.
Read more here: https://www.cdc.gov.au/newsroom/news-and-articles/new-national-strategies-set-path-eliminate-hepatitis-b-and-c