LGBTQIA+ Health
LGBTQI+ Friendly GP Melbourne
LGBT Friendly GPs
No matter your sexual orientation or gender identity, you’re welcome at Doctors of South Melbourne.
Our clinic is a safe, inclusive space where you can access exceptional, personalised, and non-judgemental healthcare.
What’s more, the GP team are some of the kindest and most compassionate medical professionals you’ll meet.
Along with all your regular check-ups, they’re experienced in health services that matter to the LGBTQIA+ community, such as:
- Family planning
- Gender-affirming care* – initiation and ongoing support
- HIV Management
- Mental health care plans
- Mpox vaccinations
- Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
- Sexual health advice
- STI prevention, detection, and treatment
For trans and non-binary patients, we’ll make sure you’re up to date with any essential health screenings.
You can make an appointment online or call us on 8579 6838.
Finding the Right GP for You
Different GPs at our clinic offer specialised areas of care, including:
- Initiating gender-affirming care and hormone therapy
- Providing ongoing gender-affirming treatment and hormone prescriptions
- S100 prescribing for HIV and Hepatitis B management
All GPs at the clinic can prescribe PrEP and advise on HIV prevention.
* Gender-affirming therapy includes hormone therapy and support with medical transitioning. GPs typically provide treatment in consultation with a multidisciplinary team that can include psychologists, endocrinologists, and psychiatrists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a GP clinic LGBT-friendly?
At Doctors of South Melbourne, this means gender-inclusive forms, culturally sensitive care, and GPs experienced in LGBTQIA+ health, including PrEP, sexual health, mental health, and gender-affirming care.
Your doctor will ask about your identity, relationships, and goals where relevant to ensure your care is personalised and appropriate.
Each GP is also committed to safe, inclusive care and understands the diverse experiences of LGBT people from different cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Many doctors here are proud members of the LGBT community, and all are allies.🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Do I need a referral to see a GP for an LGBTQIA+ healthcare appointment?
A referral is only required if your GP recommends a specialist, such as an endocrinologist for gender-affirming hormone therapy.
Can a GP prescribe PrEP in Australia? How effective is the medication?
You’ll need an initial appointment to:
- Discuss sexual activity to help determine your risk of HIV exposure.
- Have a blood test ordered to confirm your HIV-negative status, test for hepatitis B, kidney health, and other STIs.
PrEP oral medication is up to 99% effective when taken as prescribed.
HIV-negative people who are at risk of HIV exposure are the primary users of PrEP.
👉 Read Dr Zack Bukhari’s post on PrEP.
Can a GP help with gender-affirming care or hormone therapy?
Three GPs at our clinic are permitted to do so, while others are available to support patients who are continuing care, including:
- Hormone therapy scripts and monitoring
- Specialist referrals
- Ongoing general health checks
Care and treatment are provided in a warm, welcoming, and judgement-free environment.
👉 Read Dr Tasha Patel’s post on medical transitioning.
Can a GP prescribe HIV medication?
Yes, some GPs in Australia can prescribe HIV medication, but not all.
HIV treatment is generally prescribed by doctors who have completed advanced HIV training and are approved as Section 100 (s100) HIV prescribers under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
If your GP is not an S100 prescriber, they can still provide general healthcare, organise HIV testing, and refer you to an accredited HIV clinician for treatment.
If you’ve been diagnosed with HIV, an s100 prescriber can help in the following ways:
- Conduct a thorough health assessment
- Recommend the most appropriate antiretroviral therapy
- Prescribe ongoing treatment and medication
- Monitor your progress with regular blood tests.
Many people continue their long-term HIV care with an experienced GP rather than attending a hospital clinic.
At Doctors of South Melbourne, Dr Zack Bukhari, Dr Nicholas Oxenburgh, and Dr Andrew Nolen are S100 prescribers qualified to prescribe specialised medications to manage HIV.
If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV, seek urgent medical care within 72 hours, as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be appropriate.
Can I get sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing without symptoms?
Your GP can provide STI and HIV testing in a safe environment.
The type of tests you need and how often you should be screened depends on factors such as your sexual practices, number of partners, use of condoms, and whether you are taking PrEP for HIV prevention.
Your GP can help you create a personalised screening plan to protect your health and your partners’.
What makes a GP clinic LGBT-friendly?
At Doctors of South Melbourne, this means gender-inclusive forms, culturally sensitive care, and GPs experienced in LGBTQIA+ health, including PrEP, sexual health, mental health, and gender-affirming care.
Your doctor will ask about your identity, relationships, and goals where relevant to ensure your care is personalised and appropriate.
Each GP is also committed to safe, inclusive care and understands the diverse experiences of LGBT people from different cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Many doctors here are proud members of the LGBT community, and all are allies.🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Do I need a referral to see a GP for an LGBTQIA+ healthcare appointment?
A referral is only required if your GP recommends a specialist, such as an endocrinologist for gender-affirming hormone therapy.
Can a GP prescribe PrEP in Australia? How effective is the medication?
You’ll need an initial appointment to:
- Discuss sexual activity to help determine your risk of HIV exposure.
- Have a blood test ordered to confirm your HIV-negative status, test for hepatitis B, kidney health, and other STIs.
PrEP oral medication is up to 99% effective when taken as prescribed.
HIV-negative people who are at risk of HIV exposure are the primary users of PrEP.
👉 Read Dr Zack Bukhari’s post on PrEP.
Can a GP help with gender-affirming care or hormone therapy?
Three GPs at our clinic are permitted to do so, while others are available to support patients who are continuing care, including:
- Hormone therapy scripts and monitoring
- Specialist referrals
- Ongoing general health checks
Care and treatment are provided in a warm, welcoming, and judgement-free environment.
👉 Read Dr Tasha Patel’s post on medical transitioning.
Can a GP prescribe HIV medication?
Yes, some GPs in Australia can prescribe HIV medication, but not all.
HIV treatment is generally prescribed by doctors who have completed advanced HIV training and are approved as Section 100 (s100) HIV prescribers under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
If your GP is not an S100 prescriber, they can still provide general healthcare, organise HIV testing, and refer you to an accredited HIV clinician for treatment.
If you’ve been diagnosed with HIV, an s100 prescriber can help in the following ways:
- Conduct a thorough health assessment
- Recommend the most appropriate antiretroviral therapy
- Prescribe ongoing treatment and medication
- Monitor your progress with regular blood tests.
Many people continue their long-term HIV care with an experienced GP rather than attending a hospital clinic.
At Doctors of South Melbourne, Dr Zack Bukhari, Dr Nicholas Oxenburgh, and Dr Andrew Nolen are S100 prescribers qualified to prescribe specialised medications to manage HIV.
If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV, seek urgent medical care within 72 hours, as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be appropriate.
Can I get sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing without symptoms?
Your GP can provide STI and HIV testing in a safe environment.
The type of tests you need and how often you should be screened depends on factors such as your sexual practices, number of partners, use of condoms, and whether you are taking PrEP for HIV prevention.
Your GP can help you create a personalised screening plan to protect your health and your partners’.
Helpful Links & Websites
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
Access to sexual health information on a range of topics, as well as helpful online services relating to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). - Minus18
Youth-focused organisation that aims to improve the health and well-being of same-sex attracted and gender-diverse young people in Australia. - Queerspace
LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing support service with a focus on relationships, families, parenting and young people. - QLife
Anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for those wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. - Rainbow Fertility
Fertility and IVF service provider catering exclusively to the LGBTQIA+ community. - Rainbow Health Victoria
Programs, training and resources concerning the health and well-being of Victoria’s LGBTQIA+ community. - Seahorse Victoria
A support and social group for transgender Victorians. Offering catch-ups and fundraising events. - Switchboard
Provides peer-based, volunteer-run support service for LGBTQIA+ people, their friends, and their families. - Transcend
A parent/carer led a peer support network for the families of transgender children in Australia. - Transgender Victoria
The leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy, training, and resource development in Victoria. - TransHub
ACON’s digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse people, their loved ones, allies, and health providers.
GPs who initiate gender-affirming care & hormone therapy
Helpful downloads:
GPs who can provide ongoing care for patients who have started gender-affirming care & hormone therapy
GPs who are accredited to prescribe s100 medications
Other Services Patients Value
WOMEN'S HEALTH
MEN'S HEALTH
LGBTQIA+ HEALTH
KID'S HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH
SEXUAL HEALTH
CHRONIC CONDITIONS
PREGNANCY CARE
SKIN HEALTH
IMMUNISATIONS
TRAVEL CLINIC
MINOR SURGERY
INJURIES
HEART HEALTH
PREVENTIVE CARE
