Positive Life NSW

What Positive Life NSW does

Positive Life NSW is a peer-led, non-profit community organization founded in 1988 and registered as an Australian charity (ACNC), headquartered at Suite 4.01, Level 4, 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010. It is the largest peer-led and run representative body of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Australia, operating exclusively within New South Wales. The organization serves PLHIV in NSW, including dedicated programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, women, older people ageing with HIV, recently diagnosed individuals, and people in regional and rural areas. Its service portfolio covers peer support, counseling, social support groups (Social Club, Positive Conversations, Peer2Peer, Men's Room, Women's Room, Kitchen Table Stories, Peers Connect HNE), treatments support, employment and vocational support, partner notification, ageing support, digital literacy via the Digital Mentors program, and wellness activities such as Tai Chi, alongside public-facing education through the Positive Speakers Bureau and publications (Factsheets, Talkabout Magazine, Life.mail eBulletin).

The underlying technology is a website-centric platform delivering digital services including telehealth support, the Digital Mentors program, online factsheets, eBulletins, and the Talkabout Magazine publication; there are no disclosed proprietary technology products, AI/ML capabilities, or mobile applications. Distribution is multi-channel across in-person services at the Surry Hills headquarters, freecall (1800 245 677) and direct line telephone support, telehealth, regional/rural outreach, multiple social support groups, and self-serve digital resources including a website with 24/7 access.

The revenue model is non-profit: primary funding comes from NSW Government Health grants, supplemented by charitable donations via the GiveNow platform and bequests, plus co-funding from pharmaceutical partners (VIIV Healthcare, Gilead Sciences), philanthropic foundations (Mac AIDS Fund), and supporting partners (City of Sydney, Good Things Foundation Australia, Digital Pacific). All services are provided free of charge to people living with HIV in NSW. The go-to-market is community-led via direct service delivery, peer support programs, social support groups, and community events. Recent material signals include the closure of the Housing Support Program on 13 October 2023 and the organization's participation in the launch of the NSW HIV Strategy 2026-2030 in May 2026.

Name

Positive Life NSW

Legal name

Positive Life NSW

Website

https://positivelife.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Positive Life NSW is a peer-led, non-profit community organization founded in 1988 and the largest representative body for all people living with HIV in NSW, Australia. It delivers free peer support, counseling, social support groups, and specialized programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, women, older people, and regional/rural populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HIV/AIDS Community Support Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• HIV peer support
• HIV community advocacy
• HIV counselling services
• Peer-led health services
• HIV health promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Surry Hills

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Funded primarily through NSW Government Health to provide HIV support services, peer support, counselling, and health promotion programs for people living with HIV in NSW.
2. Donations: Accepts charitable donations from individuals and organizations through GiveNow platform and bequests (gifts in wills) to support ongoing operations and programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Positive Life NSW is a peer-led community organization that provides free support services to people living with HIV in New South Wales, Australia. Its core offerings include one-on-one peer support, professional counselling, specialized health programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, and older people ageing with HIV, treatments and employment support, and a network of social support groups. The organization also delivers public education through the Positive Speakers Bureau and publishes educational content via Talkabout Magazine, Life.mail eBulletin, and Factsheets.

Product overview

Positive Life NSW operates as a peer-led community organization offering a comprehensive suite of services for people living with HIV in NSW. The organization provides direct support services including Peer Support, Counselling, Digital Mentors, and Social Support Groups, alongside specialized programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, and older people ageing with HIV. The service portfolio includes treatments support, employment assistance, partner notification services, and wellness programs like Tai Chi. Additionally, the organization produces educational publications including Factsheets, the Talkabout Magazine, and the Life.mail eBulletin. The Positive Speakers Bureau provides trained speakers for community education, while the HIV Info Resources section offers comprehensive health information covering testing, medications, and management. This is not a technology platform but rather a service-based organization connecting people with HIV to support, information, and community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Peer Support Peer-led support services connecting people living with HIV with others who share lived experience, providing emotional support, information sharing, and community connection.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program Specialized health program providing culturally appropriate support and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV.
• Ageing Support Support services addressing the unique needs of older people living with HIV, including health, wellbeing, and social connection.
• Counselling Service Professional counselling support for people living with HIV covering mental health, relationships, and life challenges.
• Digital Mentors Program pairing people living with HIV with mentors who help them navigate digital technology and online services.
• Employment & Vocational Support Support services helping people living with HIV navigate employment, workplace issues, and vocational training.
• Treatments Support Information and support services related to HIV medications, treatment options, and managing treatment regimens.
• Women and HIV Specialized services and support for women living with HIV, addressing gender-specific needs and challenges.
• Partner Notification Confidential support service helping people living with HIV notify partners about potential HIV exposure.
• Tai Chi Holistic wellness activity program combining gentle physical exercise with mindfulness for people living with HIV.
• Social Support Groups Peer-led support groups including [+Connect], Positive Conversations, The Social Club, Peer2Peer, The Men's Room, The Women's Room, Kitchen Table Stories, and Peers Connect HNE (Newcastle).
• Positive Speakers Bureau Trained speakers living with HIV who share their experiences with communities, organizations, and events to reduce stigma and increase understanding.
• Regional and Rural NSW Program Dedicated program providing outreach services, telehealth, and remote support to people with HIV in regional and rural NSW.
• Services Australia Outreach Outreach service assisting people living with HIV to access Services Australia supports and benefits.
• Talkabout Magazine Regular magazine publication featuring personal stories, health information, and community content for people living with HIV.
• Life.mail eBulletin Regular electronic bulletin keeping subscribers updated on news, events, and resources related to HIV in NSW.
• Positive Life NSW Factsheets Educational factsheets providing information on HIV basics, testing, medications, managing HIV, and related health topics.
• HIV Info Resources Comprehensive information covering HIV basics, testing, PEP and PrEP, managing HIV, medications, and related health topics.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NSW Government HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government funding partner providing core operational funding for HIV support services, peer support programs, and health promotion activities for people living with HIV in NSW.
• City of SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner supporting community health initiatives and services for people living with HIV in the Sydney area.
• Good Things Foundation AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital inclusion partnership supporting digital literacy and access to online health resources for people living with HIV.
• NSW GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner providing policy framework and support for HIV response in NSW.
• VIIV HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical partner specializing in HIV medications, supporting community programs and health initiatives.
• Gilead SciencesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical partner providing HIV treatments, supporting community health programs and initiatives.
• Mac AIDS FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhilanthropic foundation supporting HIV community organizations and programs.
• Digital PacificminorOthersWebsite hosting sponsor providing technical infrastructure for the organization.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NAPWHA (National Association of People with HIV Australia): National peak body representing people living with HIV across Australia. Positive Life NSW is explicitly described as a member/representative within this network; NAPWHA operates one level up as the national aggregator with overlapping advocacy and policy roles.
• ACON: Largest community-based LGBT health and HIV organisation in NSW, historically the NSW AIDS Council. Operates in overlapping HIV peer support and health promotion territory but is a much broader multi-issue LGBT health organisation based in the same geography as Positive Life NSW.
• AFAO (Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations): National federation for the HIV community response in Australia. While AFAO operates nationally across HIV policy and prevention, it coordinates closely with state-based peer organisations like Positive Life NSW on policy advocacy and programs.

Direct peers

• Bobby Goldsmith Foundation: Australia's longest-running HIV charity, based in NSW, providing practical support, financial assistance, and case management for people living with HIV. Direct geographic and functional peer for wraparound HIV support services in NSW.
• Thorne Harbour Health: Community-controlled HIV and LGBT health organisation in Victoria, Australia. Comparable as a peer-led/PLHIV-involved HIV and support services provider with regional outreach, counselling, and health promotion functions similar to Positive Life NSW.
• Queensland Positive People: Peer-led HIV organisation serving people living with HIV in Queensland, Australia. Comparable as a state-based, peer-run body providing peer navigation, peer support, and community advocacy - functionally equivalent to Positive Life NSW in a different state.
• Positive Life South Australia: Peer-led HIV support and advocacy organisation based in South Australia. Direct peer in the same category of peer-run, state-anchored HIV representative organisations.
• Living Positive Victoria: Peer-led HIV support organisation for people living with HIV in Victoria, Australia. Directly comparable to Positive Life NSW as a state-based, peer-run representative body delivering peer support, advocacy, and health promotion services.
• Positive Women: Peer-led organisation providing support for women living with HIV across Australia and New Zealand. Comparable niche-peer to Positive Life NSW's 'Women and HIV' and 'Women's Room' programs, serving an overlapping but specifically gendered segment.

Regional players

• Terrence Higgins Trust: UK's leading HIV charity, providing peer support, advice, and advocacy for people living with HIV. Comparable as a large peer/community-led HIV support organisation with similar service taxonomy (support, publications, policy, ageing), but operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/positivelifensw.bsky.social
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/positivelifensw

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Positive Life NSW