The HepLink Hepatitis C Telehealth Service supports access to assessment and treatment for people living with hepatitis C through a nurse-led, remote prescribing model.

Eligibility :

• Be aged 18 years or older
• Hold a valid Medicare card **

May require specialist referral instead:

• Suspected or confirmed decompensated cirrhosis
• Complex comorbidities requiring specialist input
• Clinical scenarios outside the scope of nurse practitioner-led care

If you are unsure about suitability, please contact the HepLink team to discuss.

• To be prescribed treatment, a confirmatory RNA serology is required. However, clients with a positive HCV antibody result can still be referred to the telehealth service, and the HepLink Telehealth Service team can arrange the necessary RNA pathology
• ** If the client does not hold a Medicare card, referrals may still be submitted. The HepLink Telehealth Service team will review eligibility for alternative subsidy or compassionate access programs

HepLink offers two referral pathways to support timely and flexible access to care, depending on the level of clinical information available.

Clinical Referral Pathway (where clinical information is available)

This referral pathway is intended for health services and healthcare professionals who have access to the client’s clinical history and relevant hepatitis C pathology.

Referral option include:

• Submit via the HepLink Telehealth Service Clinical Pathways Referral Form

Supported Referral Pathway (where clinical information is limited or unavailable)

This referral pathway is intended for partners and services where clinical information may be limited or unavailable, enabling access through flexible referral options.

Referral options include:

• Submit via the HepLink Telehealth Service Supported Pathway Referral Form
• Phone : 1800 437 222 to refer a client or arrange an appointment
• Email: [email protected] (include client name, DOB and contact details)

What happens next

• The HepLink team reviews the referral
• The client is contacted to arrange a telehealth appointment
• Telehealth consultation with a Nurse Navigator and/or Nurse Practitioner is completed
• Clinical assessment and treatment initiation occur where appropriate

If the client cannot be contacted after multiple attempts, the referrer will be notified to support follow-up and re-engagement.

A confirmed hepatitis C RNA positive result is required for treatment through HepLink.

Required serology:

Hepatitis C RNA (PCR) positive result within the past 6 months

Recommended serology (where available):

• Liver function tests (LFTs)
• Hepatitis B serology
• HIV testing

Referrals can still be accepted without all serology investigations. The HepLink team can arrange required pathology where needed, though this may delay treatment.

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) HCV RNA result are accepted, if the client’s full name appears on the report.

Liver fibrosis assessment is optional and not required for referral. 

However, if a liver fibrosis assessment has been undertaken within the past 6 months, please include the results with the referral. 

Where serology or health history indicates potential advanced liver disease, a liver fibrosis assessment may be requested by the Nurse Practitioner. Clients with suspected advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis will be managed in accordance with clinical guidelines, including referral to specialist services where appropriate 

Clients with results suggestive of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis (e.g. FibroScan ≥12.5 kPa, APRI ≥1.0, or FIB-4 >3.25) will be further assessed by the Nurse Practitioner. 

Accepted non-invasive fibrosis assessments include: 

• FibroScan®  
• APRI (AST to Platelet Ratio Index)  
• FIB-4 score  

HepLink is a nationally available, nurse-led telehealth service designed to complement existing healthcare services.  Clients are connected to a Nurse Navigator (RN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) via telehealth, enabling treatment initiation without in-person attendance 

Registered Nurses (RNs): 

Registered Nurses provide client-centred support, offering education, guidance, and practical assistance throughout the treatment pathway. 

Role includes: 

• Undertaking intake and assessing program suitability  

• Providing education to promote treatment understanding and engagement  

• Coordinating appointments  

• Responding to clinical and practical queries  

• Liaising with referrers and relevant services where appropriate 

Availability: 
Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 4:00pm (AEST) 

Nurse Practitioners (NPs): 

Nurse Practitioners deliver safe, accessible, and streamlined clinical care, overseeing hepatitis C treatment in line with current guidelines. 

Role includes: 

• Conducting clinical assessments via telehealth  

• Ordering and interpreting investigations  

• Prescribing PBS-listed direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy  

• Developing and overseeing treatment plans  

• Providing clinical support and follow-up as appropriate  

• Assessing for complications, including advanced liver disease, and facilitating referral to specialist services where indicated  

Availability: 
Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00am – 4:00pm (AEST) 

HepLink works collaboratively with referring clinicians and health services to support coordinated, client-centred care. Referrers play a key role in linking clients to HepLink and encouraging engagement. 

• HepLink contacts referred clients to arrange appointments.  

• If contact is unsuccessful, the referrer is notified to assist with follow-up.  

• Updates are provided at key points in care to support shared care where appropriate.  

While HepLink delivers remote, treatment-focused care, referrers provide local support—reinforcing engagement, addressing barriers, and helping clients stay connected. Referrers are encouraged to check in with clients about four weeks post-referral. 

HepLink provides treatment-focused, short-term care and does not replace ongoing primary care. 

Hepatitis C treatment is provided using PBS-listed direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies, in line with current Australian guidelines. 

Treatment is individualised based on clinical assessment, and drug–drug interaction checks are undertaken to support safe prescribing. 

Consultations are provided at no cost to the client; standard PBS co-payment may apply at the point of dispensing. 

If you would like hepatitis C information and resources, please visit our website https://www.heplink.au/hepatitis_c, or email us at [email protected] 

Yes. Contact 1800 437 222 or email [email protected] to enquire about workforce hepatitis C training. Our Nurse Navigator can connect you with your local community hepatitis organisation to arrange workforce training.