About NSPs

NSPs aim to reduce the incidence of blood-borne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and injecting-related injuries and diseases for people who inject drugs by:

  • providing sterile injecting equipment
  • facilitating the safe disposal of used injecting equipment
  • improving access and referrals to health, treatment and support services.

24/7 free and confidential telephone counselling, information, referral and support for alcohol and/or other drug use is available at ADIS on 1800 177 833. ADIS can also provide information on how to access sterile needles and syringes and where to dispose of them safely.

The Communicable Diseases Branch within Queensland Health is responsible for providing equipment and managing policies and programs for all NSPs in Queensland. The QNSP can be contacted on qnsp@health.qld.gov.au.

NSPs operate throughout Queensland, and through different sites, including:

  • Primary NSPs
  • Secondary NSPs
  • Community pharmacies
  • Needle dispensing machines (also known as vending machines)
  • Outreach.

Sterile injecting equipment can only be given by authorised NSPs. Find a primary or secondary NSP near you using the postcode or suburb finder below.

Find an NSP

Pharmacy NSP locations

Sterile injecting equipment is also available at some community pharmacies. Visit The Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland branch webpage for a list of participating pharmacies or the Queensland Needle & Syringe Program app, which is available to download for free from Google Play or Apple Store.

Equipment available through NSPs

Queensland NSPs supply a range of sterile injecting equipment for people who inject drugs. Please note this is subject to change.

  • Needles (tips)

    • 19-gauge (19G x 1 ½)
    • 21-gauge x 1 ½” (21G x 1 ½)
    • 23-gauge x 1 ¼” (23G x 1 ¼)
    • 25-gauge x 5/8” (25G x 5/8)
    • 25-gauge x 1” (25G x 1)
    • 26-gauge x ½” (26G x ½)
    • 27-gauge x ½” (27G x ½)

    Combined needles and syringes

    • 1ml 27-gauge
    • 1ml 29-gauge
    • 3ml barrels luer lock
    • 5ml barrels luer lock
    • 10ml barrels luer lock
    • 1ml barrels luer slip
    • 20ml barrels luer slip
    • 1ml 27-gauge (Unisharp, coloured)
    • 1ml 27-gauge
    • 1ml 29-gauge

    Yellow disposal containers

    • 200ml round container
    • 400ml round container
    • 1.4L press top fit tank container
    • 1.8L press top fit tank container
    • 10L container
    • 19L container

    Brown paper bags

    • Small
    • Large

    Filters

    • Cotton
    • Ranch (micro slim)

    Other

    • Alcohol swabs
    • Winged infusion sets / butterflies (needle size 25-gauge ¾”)

  • Note: All packs contain alcohol swabs and a 200ml round disposal container (yellow) and are packed in a brown paper bag.

    • 2 x 1ml 27-gauge
    • 5 x 1ml 27-gauge
    • 10 x 1ml 27-gauge
    • 20 x 1ml 27-gauge
    • 5 x 3ml barrels luer lock plus 26-gauge ½” needle tip
    • 5 x 5ml barrels luer lock plus 26-gauge ½” needle tip
    • Steroid pack, containing:
      • 20 x 23-gauge x 1 ¼”
      • 20 x 19-gauge x 1 ½”
      • 20 x 3ml barrels luer lock
      • 40 x alcohol swabs
      • 1 x 1.4L press top fit tank container (yellow)
      • 1 x large brown paper bag and carton

  • Note: Available at Primary or Secondary NSPs who have a needle dispensing machine.

    • 5 x 1ml pack, containing:
      • 5 x 1ml 27-gauge
      • 10 x alcohol swabs
      • 1 x flat disposable container (black)
    • 5 x 3ml pack, containing:
      • 5 x 3ml barrels luer lock
      • 5 x 26-gauge x ½”
      • 10 x alcohol swabs
      • 1 x flat disposable container (black)
    • 5 x 1ml fittube pack, containing:
      • 5 x 1ml 27-gauge
      • 10 x alcohol swabs
      • 1 x 400ml round disposable container (yellow) – “fittube”
    • 5 x 3ml fittube pack, containing:
      • 5 x 3ml barrels luer lock
      • 5 x 26-gauge x ½”
      • 10 x alcohol swabs
      • 1 x 400ml round disposable container (yellow) – “fittube”

  • Note: Equipment is sold at select community pharmacies for $3.00 per pack. Information about locations can be found under the Pharmacy NSP locations section.

    • 5 x 1ml 27-gauge
    • 20 x 1ml 27-gauge
    • 5 x 3ml barrels luer lock plus 26-gauge ½” needle tip
    • 5 x 5ml barrels luer lock plus 26-gauge ½” needle tip
    • Steroid pack, containing:
      • 20 x 23-gauge x 1 ¼”
      • 20 x 19-gauge x 1 ½”
      • 20 x 3ml barrels luer lock
      • 40 x alcohol swabs
      • 1 x 1.4L press top fit tank container (yellow)
      • 1 x large brown paper bag and carton

Training and resources

All NSP staff are required to be trained prior to undertaking NSP service provision. The online induction training provides an introduction to the principles underpinning an NSP. Training is available at Insight.

The Queensland Needle and Syringe Program Guidelines provide guidance for staff undertaking NSP service provision.

Queensland Minimum Data Set for NSPs

The Queensland Minimum Data Set (QMDS) for NSPs is a state-wide standardised data collection system that provides core data about program activities for all primary NSPs and some secondary NSPs.

The data forms part of the Kirby Institute’s Needle Syringe Program National Minimum Data Collection National Data Report, which is published each year.

Reports contain descriptive (i.e. deidentified) data only on client demographics, drug reporting patterns, interventions and referrals collected on every occasion of service. No statistical analysis is undertaken.

Last updated: 8 May 2026