Sydney Local Health District

Finalist: Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare​ Award

​In 2023, international students returned to Australia after the COVID-19 pandemic, with many living and studying in areas covered by Sydney Local Health District (SLHD).

Preventing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the international student population is a priority for NSW Health.

SLHD Population Health established the International Student Collaboration Stream (ISCS) to deliver holistic, culturally-safe health promotions, empowering students to make decisions, and prevent emergency department presentations.

The team consulted international students, universities, student housing, and cultural support workers (CSW) to co-design localised capacity-building and health literacy programs based on best practices from the NSW Health STI Program Unit.

In Q1 2024, the team:

• trained 44 peer educators impacting approximately 2500 students
• engaged with 1,300 students at 9 international student events
• developed a local health service navigation resource for Medicare-ineligible students.

As a result of this project, international students reported better knowledge and greater autonomy with their health, more confidence in accessing health care services that align with their needs, and ultimately improve their general health and wellbeing.​​