The Queensland government will provide $25.1 million over three years to help community groups combat HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and other blood-borne viruses.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the funding, spread over four grants, was awarded after 15 applicants from community-based agencies were assessed.

A health worker draws blood for testing. Credit:Schalk van Zuydam

Four of those applicants – the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, the University of Queensland, Hepatitis Queensland and Queensland Positive People – joined forces to create the Consortium for Queensland and received a single grant.

The other three successful grant applications came from Queensland Injectors Health Network, Respect Inc and Youth Service Providers Inc.