Primary NSPs

City Health Centre Outside the ground floor entrance, to the right of the main door
Corner of Alinga and Moore Streets, Canberra City.
Phone: (02) 6143 5800

Phillip Health Centre At the back of the building, opposite Lovett (formerly MLC) Tower
Corner of Keltie and Corinna Streets, Woden.
Phone: (02) 6132 4900

Both services are open on weekdays from 9 am – 1 pm and 1:30pm – 5:00pm, with the Canberra City service operating until 5:00 pm on Wednesdays. Both services can be open for a limited time on public holidays. Opening times for public holidays are available on our events calendar. Appointments are not necessary.

Directions primary NSPs provide a range of sterile injecting equipment, including pill filters and infusion sets (butterflies), and safe disposal facilities for used equipment. They also provide advice on harm minimisation and information on HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne viruses. Primary health care services, such as vein and health checks, are also available at the two locations. The Civic NSP also provides crisis counselling, including advocacy and referral to medical, legal, housing and social welfare agencies, as well as follow up support. The NSPs are fully funded by the ACT Government and all sterile injecting equipmentis available free of charge.

Secondary NSPs
Secondary NSPs operate throughout Canberra and provide sterile injecting equipment, such as four and eight packs (containing 1ml syringes), and also distribute safe sex items such as condoms. Secondary NSPs also provide information and resources on harm minimisation and other health issues. Locations include health centres, youth centres and some community organisations. For more information, download the Needle and Syringe Program (NSP).

Pharmacies and Syringe Vending Machines
Four Packs (containing 1ml syringes) are also available from automatic vending machines and from over 30 pharmacies across Canberra at a recommended cost of $2 each. A list of participating outlets are available on our Pharmacy page.

Healthy Food Healthy Me
This service provides free nutritious meals to support the health and wellbeing of people who access our primary NSP outlets in Civic and Phillip. It relies significantly on donations and does not receive any government funding. If you would like to help support this valuable service, contact:

Directions Health Services
Level 6, Cosmopolitan Centre, Woden Square, Woden ACT 2606